Shanghai General Motors has released a four-door companion to the Buick Excelle XT hatchback that went on sale earlier this year in China. It will be called the Buick Excelle GT. A version of the compact sedan will be marketed next year in the U.S., reportedly as the 2012 Buick Verano.
The new Excelle GT, which goes on sale June 23 in China, shares many styling cues with the larger LaCrosse and is based on the GM Delta II platform that underpins the Opel Astra and the Chevrolet Cruze.
Engine choices in the Chinese market will include a 138-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder and a 181-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder.
In the U.S., Buick already has shown dealers versions of the small sedan, which has been described in some reports as a "baby LaCrosse." Dealers also have said Buick plans to add a small crossover in 2012, which may be marketed as the Buick Encore.
Inside Line says: Now all Buick has to do is figure out how to bring the average age of its U.S. buyers — now around 65 years old — closer to the average age of its Chinese buyers — around 28 years old. This one could help.
