New Buick Concepts from GM Design
GM Design division has introduced two new Buick concept cars developed in China. One of them is a compact SUV focused on family use, with a modern design. The second is an elegant crossover with a sporty station wagon-style shape and rear-hinged doors.
Buick’s Popularity in China
Buick continues to demonstrate success in the Chinese market, where models such as the Envision SUV, LaCrosse sedan, and GL8 minivan enjoy stable demand. Despite this, the brand’s design team does not rest on its laurels and is actively working on new ideas and improving future models.
Concepts from GM Design
Two design projects recently appeared on the General Motors Design Instagram page. One is a family compact SUV, the other is a sporty station wagon-style crossover. Although they have different design approaches, both look unusually ready for series production.
Both concepts were developed at the GM Advanced Design studio in Shanghai, China. One of them was created by Sangmin Kim, and the other by Yixuan Feng.
Family SUV Concept
The first concept is described as a “fun, family-oriented premium Buick design project” built around the theme of “comfort at the wheel.”
The front features split LED headlights with futuristic graphics that compensate for the lack of a traditional grille. On the sides, large two-tone alloy wheels fill the arches, framed by glossy black trim and muscular fenders.
Thick C-pillars flow into a rear spoiler that wraps around the rear window, where the taillights are integrated under the glass. The rear also features wide tailgate doors and a sculpted bumper with a subtle diffuser. Despite the modest ground clearance, the vertical front end, roof rails, and protective cladding give it a distinct SUV stance, similar to the Kia Niro.
Buick does not reveal technical details, but the proportions indicate that this concept is between the sizes of the Encore GX (4,355 mm) and the Envision (4,645 mm).
Sporty Crossover
The second concept is presented as a “small, expressive premium Buick design project” built around the idea of “driving pleasure.” It has an aerodynamic profile of a crossover-hatchback or station wagon, equipped with rear-hinged doors and split tailgate doors.
The front end includes an illuminated grille, slim headlights, and ADAS sensors hidden in the bumper intakes. The forged aluminum wheels have shiny chrome accents, and the trim in front of the tinted rear fenders resembles Lexus design.
Other features include a panoramic sunroof, flying buttresses, a flowing rear window, and reflector taillights. Overall, this model appears smaller in size compared to the 2024 Electra-L Shooting Brake concept.
Buick’s Future
Buick’s design language is shifting towards new energy vehicles (NEV), and both of these concepts are well-suited for fully electric or hybrid powertrains.
Although the models are labeled as design studies, they could easily be mistaken for production cars, as they lack overly futuristic features. It is reported that Buick is working on an electric subcompact crossover set to appear by 2029, followed by the launch of a new generation Encore GX.
These concepts demonstrate how Buick is adapting to changes in the automotive market, particularly in China, where demand for electric and hybrid models continues to grow. Given their practicality and lack of radical design solutions, it can be assumed that they could form the basis for future production cars, combining innovation with consumers’ need for familiar features.