Buick Expands International Reach with GM Agreement to Export Enclave Crossover to China

DETROIT – Buick will expand its international reach following a four-year agreement signed today by General Motors and Shanghai GM to export up to 25,000 of the brand’s hot-selling Enclave luxury crossover to China beginning in the second half of 2008.

 The Enclave is Buick’s first luxury crossover.   Known for its elegant design, well-crafted and library-quiet interior, the Enclave has segment-leading fuel economy and space to transport up to eight passengers plus their gear.   It is one of GM’s hottest vehicles in North America having sold more than 14,000 since early May.  Nearly half of Enclave buyers are new to Buick.  It is built at GM’s award-winning Lansing Delta Township assembly plant in Lansing, Mich.

 Enclave is the first Buick built in North America to be exported to China since the early part of the last century.  The Enclave will be imported by Shanghai GM and sold through a network of more than 400 Buick dealerships across China.  The Enclave will be Buick’s first luxury crossover in China and will complement the rest of the Buick lineup, which includes the Park Avenue, LaCrosse, Regal and Excelle sedans, GL8 and FirstLand executive wagons.

 Buick is a storied brand in North America and one of the most well-known automobile brands in China with more than 1.3 million Buick owners.  Last year, Buick sold more than 300,000 units there and more than 567,000 worldwide, a 17,000 unit increase over 2006.  Buick has a strong history in China where Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the father of the Republic of China, and Pu Yi, the last emperor of China, both owned Buicks which brought great influence to the brand.

General Motors Corp. , the world’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world.  With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 35 countries.  In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands:  Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall.  GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.  More information on GM can be found at gm.com.  For more Enclave product information including press releases, running footage and photos, visit media.gm.com.