Buick’s first U.S. electric car was originally scheduled to debut later this year, but that plan is no longer happening.
- Buick has decided to delay the launch of its first electric car in the United States.
- The model was originally scheduled to be launched this year and was expected to be called Electra E5.
- The crossover was originally expected to be imported from China, but high tariffs may cause the company to rethink its plans.
Buick’s lineup has undergone a major overhaul, including the all-new Envista, redesigned Enclave, and facelifted versions of the Envision and Encore GX. However, we have yet to see the brand’s first North American electric vehicle.
The model was originally announced in 2022 and was expected to go on sale this year. However, that is no longer the case, as GM CEO Mary Barra recently revealed during the second quarter earnings call that they have “delayed the launch of Buick’s first electric vehicle, which was originally scheduled for 2024.”
More: New Buick Electra E5 offers two batteries, three powertrains and exquisite Avenir interior in China
Barra did not elaborate on the move but mentioned a desire to take a “balanced approach as the market evolves,” suggesting the delay could be related to slower-than-expected adoption of electric vehicles.
However, that may not be the only reason, as Automotive News notes that the government’s decision to quadruple tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles may have played a role. Buick offers the Electra E4 and E5 in China, and it is believed that the latter will be imported like the Envision.
That may no longer be possible, as the White House noted in May that “the tariff rate on electric vehicles…will increase from 25% to 100%.” At the time, the Biden administration touted this as a win for American automakers and workers, claiming that “a 100% tariff on electric vehicles will protect American manufacturers from China’s unfair trade practices.”
Speaking of electric vehicles, Barra noted that “third-party forecasters now see the electric vehicle market growing steadily over the next few years, but at a slower pace than in past years.” In light of this, the company has delayed Orion Assembly’s electric truck production for a second time. Production is now scheduled to begin in mid-2026, six months later than previously announced.
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