GM to unveil next iteration of the Chevrolet Volt and a new Buick concept at the 2007 Shanghai Show

Logical isn’t it – I mean China has the world's second largest car market in the world, just behind the US and ahead of Japan. Leaving aside the next iteration of the well-received, battery-powered Volta, I have to admit that it sounds kinda weird when GM says that the new Buick concept which was developed at PATAC in Shanghai is “a precursor of future global Buick design language”. Chinese designers drawing the future for Buick? On the other hand, how bad could it be judging from Buick’s current products? We’ll just have to wait till the 22nd of April when the Auto Shanghai 2007 begins to find out. -Click “Read More…” below to see the official press release

PRESS RELEASE: GM to Unveil Two Global Concepts at Auto Shanghai 2007

Shanghai, China – For the first time ever, General Motors Corp. and its Chinese joint ventures will unveil two new global concepts in China at Auto Shanghai 2007.

The two concepts – the next iteration of the flexible Chevrolet Volt architecture, GM's extended-range electric passenger vehicle, and a stunning new Buick hinting at possible future directions for the brand worldwide – will showcase GM’s latest achievements in automotive research and design in the world’s fastest-growing vehicle market.

They will be appearing on the 4,500-square-meter stand of GM China and its Shanghai GM and SAIC-GM-Wuling joint ventures. The GM family in China will be displaying a total of 40 production and concept vehicles at Auto Shanghai 2007, which begins on April 22 and runs through April 28.

“This is a year of milestones for General Motors in China, with our Shanghai GM and Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) joint ventures celebrating their 10th anniversary and SAIC-GM-Wuling celebrating its fifth anniversary,” said GM China Group President and Managing Director Kevin E. Wale. “Our exhibit at Auto Shanghai 2007 will demonstrate our commitment to working with our partners and joint ventures in order to expand our offering of products featuring the latest technology.”

A highlight will be the Chevrolet Volt, which received tremendous acclaim upon its introduction at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this January. “That GM would choose Shanghai as the location to introduce the next iteration of the Volt is a reflection of how GM is contributing to the industry’s long-term sustainable development by sharing its latest achievements and technologies with its friends and partners in China,” Wale said.

The Buick concept car was developed to communicate the global design vocabulary of one of GM’s most distinguished brands. A precursor of future global Buick design language, it was developed at PATAC in Shanghai, underscoring the automotive engineering and design center’s growing capability and role within GM’s engineering and design network.

Making their Asia debut at Auto Shanghai 2007 will be two models from GM’s Opel brand from Germany: the Astra GTC with Panorama windshield and the Astra TwinTop. Shanghai GM will be showcasing additional products from Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and Saab, while SAIC-GM-Wuling will display several products from its mini-vehicle lineup.