At the China International Import Expo, General Motors Unveils a New Business Map-01Buick Envision L7
The China International Import Expo has officially opened on November 5th. As a fair with a focus on imports, it is a unique event in China, a major exporter.
The auto exhibition area at each CIIE has always been a highlight, with almost all multinational automakers participating every year. The exhibits have gradually shifted from high-end fuel vehicles to new energy and intelligent models, reflecting the changes in the Chinese auto market.
Among all the multinational companies participating, General Motors stands out as a special one. Besides being an importer, it is also a local player - as a Shanghai-based automaker, General Motors' participation in the CIIE can be seen as a form of home turf advantage.
This year, the vehicles General Motors brings to the expo are quite different from previous years. Instead of high-performance imported models that are out of reach for most Chinese consumers, it showcases two new models born from local innovation: Buick Envision L7 and Wuling Baojun Yuesai PLUS.
So, what strategic considerations lie behind this move by General Motors?
01
Buick Envision L7 is not just a car; it's a new key.
When Buick Envision L7 appeared on the exhibition stand of General Motors at the China International Import Expo, even if it wasn't a complete surprise, it still conveyed General Motors' determination to transform.
As the first flagship model of Buick's high-end new energy sub-brand "Envision", Envision L7 is positioned as a B-class sedan, but its starting price is under 170,000 yuan, ranging from 169,900 to 215,900 yuan.
Moreover, the product power corresponding to this price includes a pure electric range of 302 kilometers, a combined range of 1,420 kilometers, a Qualcomm 8775P chip, a 27-speaker audio system, a 5.9-second acceleration, and even a zero-gravity front passenger seat and Momenta intelligent driving system.
This is not a new force but a turn of an established joint venture.
The appearance of Envision L7 is not only of great significance to Buick and General Motors but also a "game-changer" for the entire industry. On this car, Buick not only presents a brand-new "Xiaoyao" super-integrated architecture and "Zhenlong" range-extending system developed locally but also collaborates deeply with Momenta to develop the "Xiaoyao Intelligent Driving" system, marking Buick's new strategic layout in the era of intelligent and electric vehicles in China.
It can be seen that, unlike the past when it relied on overseas technology imports, Envision L7 is entirely born from local R&D forces. This indicates that General Motors has shifted from bringing global products to China to radiating globally from China and establishing its own technological foundation in the most competitive Chinese new energy market.
The "Xiaoyao" architecture, which covers diversified new energy drive technologies such as pure electric, plug-in hybrid, and range-extending, as well as all body forms including sedans, SUVs, and MPVs, and supports an ultra-wide wheelbase range from 2,800mm to 3,300mm, is expected to lay a solid foundation for the subsequent product launches with its strong expansion capabilities, allowing Buick to quickly integrate into the rhythm of the Chinese market.
The in-depth integration with the local technology ecosystem not only reflects Buick's open attitude but also quickly fills the gap in intelligence. After a period of exploration, this is indeed the correct posture for multinational automakers to transform in the era of intelligent and electric vehicles.The top priority now is to stay in the game.
Data is the best proof: Envision L7 received 12,000 large orders within ten days of its launch, with the top-of-the-line Avenir version accounting for 48%, becoming the most popular configuration. Therefore, Envision L7 is not just a new product; it's more like a key that opens a new era for Buick in China. 
