Buick has unveiled
the all-new Encore last week at the Shanghai Auto Show in two versions: the
subcompact Encore and the compact Encore GX. Everyone expected at least one of
them to eventually make it Stateside, and many saw the small Encore as a safe
bet. However, the U.S. market will only get the larger GX model instead.
Buick is looking to China to develop and expand its U.S. lineup and
the new Encore GX fits perfectly into this plan. Sources familiar with the
matter told Autonews that the Encore GX is indeed coming to the United States.
The new SUV will slot between the Encore and the Envision and should help Buick
retain customers and hopefully, bring in buyers from other brands as well.
The new compact SUV
is expected to go on sale in the States before the end of this year at the
earliest and will be sold alongside the current Encore. That’s because the new
Encore subcompact SUV unveiled in China will not make it to America, according
to the same sources. Based on GM’s new Global Emerging Markets (GEM) platform,
the smaller crossover will be built and sold in China.
Meanwhile, the
Enclave SUV that was launched in the U.S. will make it to the world’s largest
car market, as a locally built three-row version will go on sale in China later
this year.
