Paris Motor Show 2008

Buick Riviera

Though not directly relevant at this stage to the European marketplace, the appearance of the Buick Riviera concept in Shanghai has far reaching consequences for the industry as a whole. This concept was actually created by General Motors' Chinese-run design studio specifically for this motor show, indicating just how seriously GM is taking the Chinese market.

And so it should, with not far off a million sales in 2006 thanks to joint ventures with Chinese domestic car makers, in a market that is far from mature. GM is hoping that the Buick brand will capture the imagination of the new generation of Chinese entrepreneurs with plenty of money and an eye for foreign luxury items.

The Riviera concept takes the form of a four-seat coupe with large gull-wing doors providing access to a luxurious blue and cream interior. GM said that the concept points towards the design direction for the Buick brand itself, but perhaps just as significantly, the concept features a new hybrid system that GM will produce in China in a joint venture with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.

Tuesday April 24

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