Buick's EV plans on ice

Following a lineup overhaul away from sedans in recent years, Buick is expected to continue to beef up its crossover portfolio with high-end Avenir models as well as redesigns and freshens of its hottest-selling models.However, the brand's reported plans, including an expansion into electric vehicles, could be disrupted by public policy. GM's impending loss of federal tax credits for alternative fuel vehicles and a lack of customer demand could push Buick's EV plans for the U.S. into the next decade. And if the Trump administration is successful in implementing higher tariffs, that could mean trouble for the entire brand, as every vehicle aside from the Enclave and LaCrosse is imported, with the Envision coming from China.Regal: The repositioning of the Opel-derived midsize sedan as a sportback and wagon has proved successful for Buick, at least for now. Regal sales were up 27 percent through the first six months of the year. The TourX wagon model is accounting for about one-third of the nameplate's sales — in line with the company's expectations. The Regal is expected to get a freshening around 2020. GM's sale of Opel won't affect the model for the next several years.LaCrosse: Buick's last traditional sedan is coasting. A redesign two years ago failed to generate much sales momentum, and the large-sedan segment is significantly declining. Aside from the addition of an Avenir model for 2018 and a possible freshening in years to come, don't expect too much else from the brand's lone sedan until a potential redesign in 2022.Cascada: The Opel sale, declining car sales and slim returns in the niche convertible segment leave the Cascada dead in the water. A potential freshening of the convertible — introduced for the U.S. in 2016 — hasn't occurred and isn't expected for the U.S.RELATED CONTENT Future Product: General Motors timeline Future Product PipelineEncore: The subcompact crossover, Buick's top seller, is due for a redesign in late 2019 after a freshening two years ago that included a sportier front end and interior improvements. Envision: The China-made compact crossover was freshened for the 2019 model year and repositioned with a starting price decrease of up to $2,000. The freshening gave the 2019 model Buick's updated grille with a winged emblem and new available LED headlights. Buick also enhanced the performance of the available 2.0-liter turbo engine by pairing it with a nine-speed automatic transmission and increasing torque by 35 pound-feet, to 295 pound-feet. A redesign is expected in 2020.

Buick's EV plans on ice

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