Buick’s first American EV was scheduled to debut later this year, but that’s no longer the case
Buick has decided to delay the launch of their first EV in America.
The model was originally scheduled to be introduced this year and was expected to be the Electra E5.
The crossover was expected to be imported from China, but high tariffs may have made the company reconsider its plans.
Buick’s lineup has undergone a major makeover as it consists of an all-new Envista, a redesigned Enclave, and facelifted versions of the Envision and Encore GX. However, we still haven’t seen the brand’s first North American EV.
Originally announced in 2022, the model was due to arrive this year. However, that is no longer the case as GM CEO Mary Barra recently used a second quarter earnings call to reveal that they are “postponing Buick’s first EV, which was planned for 2024.”
Barra did not elaborate on the move, but cited a desire to take a “balanced approach as the market develops.” This means the delay may be related to slower than expected electric vehicle adoption.
However, that may not be the only thing going on as Automotive News has suggested that the government’s decision to quadruple tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles may have played a role. Buick offers the Electra E4 and E5 in China, and it’s believed the latter will be imported like the Envision.
This is likely no longer sustainable as, in May, the White House noted that “the tariff on electric vehicles … will increase from 25% to 100%. At the time, the Biden administration called it a victory for American automakers and workers, as they claimed that “A 100% tariff on EVs will protect American manufacturers from China’s unfair trade practices.”
Speaking of electric vehicles, Barra noted “Over the coming years, third-party forecasts now see the EV market growing steadily, but more slowly than in recent years.” Given this, the company pushed the production of electric trucks to Orion Assembly for a second time. It is now scheduled to launch in mid-2026, six months later than previously announced.
