Buick Business Small Van Debuts in Shanghai

The doom and gloom surrounding GM in the U.S. feeds on the perception that the company can’t build desirable cars. In China, however, the Buick brand has seen a boom in popularity over the past few years, and it features a number of relatively upscale products.

GM is still developing global products, and at this week’s Shanghai auto show it debuted the Buick Business concept based on its upcoming Chevy Orlando small van, which will be sold in Europe.

The Buick Business is aimed at China’s growing middle class, who are the people moving the dial on the auto market there. A Buick in China costs less than a Mercedes but still holds status it doesn’t quite retain in the U.S.

The Business will likely be a hit in China, but it has little chance of being one of the company’s products in the U.S. There’s word GM is bringing the more affordable Chevy Orlando stateside in 2011 to compete with the Mazda5 and Kia Rondo.

We could be wrong, though. Do you think a small luxury van could sell in the U.S.? Check out more photos below and let us know what you think in the comments.

Comments

Looks semi-interesting, if somewhat sparse. But this would be a very limited market here; for the most part, the Rondo and the Mazda5 are designed for very value-conscious buyers who need to haul the entire family on a strict budget. A luxury version would kinda defeat the purpose, IMO.

i really like this van it looks very stylish Gm really should bring this car to the states because i did a poll and the data showed that many families are looking for smaller more fuel efficient cars like this one i really hope they build one exactly like it.

I think it's ugly. They should just stick to the Orlando and leave it at that.

I like the car, hate the name.

The wheels look too small in comparison to the body.You can definitely see PATAC's influence on the design.

This has a very Asian look, it looks like the Riviera concept from 2007.

Hopefully, the combination of Chinese and American influences can balance out the design -- like they did on translating the new LaCrosse into production.

But right now, it looks cartoonish, almost like a caricature of what a Buick is supposed to be.

I'm fine with Asian design cues, but not on a brand with 106 year's worth of rich design heritage.

Stick with the Enclave and Velite look please!

I can't believe this. It looks better and design wise is far more interesting and attractive than ANYTHING they sell in the USA and so, of course, we won't get it here. This happens over and over again, from all the, uh, smaller 3. What is the problem??? I would jump at the opportunity to buy a smaller, fuel efficient but moderately upscale ANYTHING made by an American company!!!!

Buick seems to be the only brand within GM that gets it. This is a sharp looking vehicle with the bold styling that brands like Chevy are missing.

A small luxury van could sell in the US just not one made by General Motors. They should stick to the basics and bring the Orlando to the US.

"But right now, it looks cartoonish..."

And anything with the Scion logo on it doesn't?! You must have been smokin' weed laced with crack when you saw these pics. Think what you want about the design but cartoonish, I think not.

it looks classy, stylish,elegant,stunning.i dont know who designed it but gm should be looking at them to design thier next set of vehicles.i saw the 2010 lacross which i know is designed in china and that is in my list pretty soon.do encorage designers like that to have edge in business.these two vehicles will make lexus a run to change their exterior.

I'm interested in seeing what emerges from the rubble currently known as General Motors. A year or two should be enough time to see how the new GM shapes up.

I like this little van, it has a very polished and upscale look. That is exactly why GM needs to fail. All over the world Gm produces some interesting and practical vehicles, yet they don't or won't bring them into this country. I'd be happy to buy a Chevy Tornado. I could buy it in Mexico but not Texas.

The cars made by US companies that I like are all sold in other countries, not here. If Ford and GM want to let foreign buyers have the good cars, I'll keep spending my dollars with the foreign companies that sell the cars I want to buy.

Like the wide entry into the vehicle and the plush interior looks very inviting. I'm sure that many people would consider buying this vehicle, especially if (or should I say when?) gas hits 4 bucks a gallon again. Also, people should be able to drive and park this vehicle much easier than the larger SUVs.

Nice car, wud like to see Taxi and commercial
versions [HD tires, steel wheels, yellow or
white with black grille & bumpers + overriders]
If mid seats come out, techfolk cud haul compu
ters, comm gear in style. For urban/burbs, 96V
DC electric? Rural/exurbs, ethanol+HHO or norm.
aspire biodiesel+HHO? Ship a few with laminated
windshields to US for show-n-tell?..Aaron Allen

this is a nice vehicle, but no matter now nice it is, it wouldn't sell here. By GM, or anyone else who tries to sell a "small luxury van" here. just repeat "small luxury van" to yourself, lol. We have the vehicles that we have here for a reason - The market demands them. Just like the large cars and trucks that we have here wouldn't be practical in asia or europe, this would not work here. For these reasons.
1) A fussy luxury vehicle doesn't really work for people with small children.
2) they couldn't afford it anyway
3) small children eventually grow (explaining the huge Odesys, Flexs, Town and countrys, and Siennas
4)Single people with money aren't going to be driving a van in this country
5)Affluent people in this country are going to want their friends to be comfortable- this thing is tiny- the reason why Navigators, LXs, Escalades, and Range Rovers are everywhere
6)It is too fussy looking to appeal to the weekend outdoorsman

Basically, just because something works there doesn't mean it will work here. I can see Grandparents loving this though. It is upscale, good looking, and they can accomodate their grand children on the the weekends.

Broq

Oh, i just had a thought- this is nice enough and probably fuel efficient enough to be a viable replacement for all the old town cars once no more are made- which I hear will be pretty soon

Broq

Broq,
You mean as an executive car in the US? That would be pretty cool I think. I know Lincoln kept the Town Car alive ONLY for the fleet sales as executive cars for places like NYC.

I think this is right on the button, looks cool and would sell in the U.S. I own an Enclave and love it, but I would jump at this even faster.Bring it on..!!