Buick’s lineup has seen significant changes with the new Envista, a redesigned Enclave, and updated versions of the Envision and Encore GX. However, the brand's first North American EV, initially announced in 2022, won't arrive as planned. GM CEO Mary Barra recently announced in a second-quarter earnings call that they are “deferring Buick’s first EV, which had been planned for 2024.”
Barra did not provide specific reasons for the delay but mentioned the need for a “balanced approach as the market develops,” hinting at slower-than-expected electric vehicle adoption.
Automotive News suggested that increased tariffs on Chinese-made EVs might also be a factor. Buick offers the Electra E4 and E5 in China, and the E5 was expected to be imported like the Envision. However, the White House recently announced that the tariff rate on electric vehicles would rise from 25% to 100%, aimed at protecting American manufacturers from China's trade practices.
Barra also noted that “third-party forecasters now see the EV market growing steadily, but more slowly than it did over the last few years.” As a result, GM has postponed electric truck production at Orion Assembly for the second time, now scheduled to begin in mid-2026, six months later than previously announced.
Source: Automotive News