I see what you're talking about, thanks!

 

The EUV came out in 2021, that video is from eight months ago.

Doh! Nevermind....

 

The Velite 7 came out in 2020.

 

Wow! Amazing resemblance.

 

Yes it does. Where can I get a set of those wheels?

 

In China.

Buick is apparently preparing the re-ignite the old Electra branding with a series of BEVs, some aimed for N. America, but China is apparently Buicks largest market so some of the models will only sell there.

 

I believe this is correct. It's my understading that after the original Bolt had been developed (in Korea) GM migrated its Korea-based EV program to a Chinese JV, which is where the "bloodline" of the Bolt has continued, and may continue for a while. Something similar happened to the Volt as well; in China; you could say it evolved into the Buick Velite 6

 

The Botl EUV is designed by GM Korea, a division of GM. Look like they have 3 versions of the car - one in the US/others, one in Europe and one in China.
Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Opel Ampera-e, Buick Velite 7

I was in China in the late 90's - the two most common car brands I saw were Buick(?) and VW Passat

 

Here is a little more information that I found on Wikipedia in case anyone is interested.

Buick Velite 7 - Wikipedia

 

They reduced power output slightly to 170 hp.

 

Interesting, the Bolt was developed in Korea. And I have an Ioniq 5 as well. How appropriate.

 

The biggest secret in the world is how much GM is a secretly a huge global player. All we hear about internationally is how their American cars fail at porting over to western nations and we completely miss what's happening from the ground up in places like Asia.

The "real history" of the Bolt is why I often say it's not a "ground up" EV-design even though it's way more of one than say the Kona/Niro platforms. If GM really tried to deliver what they were promising and very well could have followed through on the Bolt would have been more highly vertically integrated across a true "global" platform. AKA what BEV3/Ultium is now. Instead BEV2 was watered down to taking some ICE platforms, reformulating them for an EV (which is great, flat floors, etc.).

Let's hope if GM does decide to make a Buick-Bolt for America they also decide to kind of make a BEV2.1 that includes faster DCFC. If it's worth their while from a manufacturing standpoint, it would sell like hotcakes even with a 100kWh peak charge.

 

The biggest secret in the world is how much GM is a secretly a huge global player. All we hear about internationally is how their American cars fail at porting over to western nations and we completely miss what's happening from the ground up in places like Asia.

The "real history" of the Bolt is why I often say it's not a "ground up" EV-design even though it's way more of one than say the Kona/Niro platforms. If GM really tried to deliver what they were promising and very well could have followed through on the Bolt would have been more highly vertically integrated across a true "global" platform. AKA what BEV3/Ultium is now. Instead BEV2 was watered down to taking some ICE platforms, reformulating them for an EV (which is great, flat floors, etc.).

Let's hope if GM does decide to make a Buick-Bolt for America they also decide to kind of make a BEV2.1 that includes faster DCFC. If it's worth their while from a manufacturing standpoint, it would sell like hotcakes even with a 100kWh peak charge.

I don't know if I would describe GM as a "huge global player"; it's surely in the Top 10 as far as units sold and revenue, but it's not like Mother Toyota that makes almost every vehicle type, almost everywhere, and sells it to almost everyone. GM is not doing much in India, Africa, and Europe.

In China, GM is active, but only as a partner in joint ventures. From what I remember reading GM's revenue is limited, as are GM's rights to the tech, developed by those JV's.

 

China has had an electric vehicle mandate for a while now, so I understand why GM sells so many EV models over there. Bringing the “Velite 7” to the USA was a good move for them. It’s a really solid vehicle that meets American drivers’ standards and it is already built to American quality standards in terms of safety, technology, comfort, etc. I do think it’s kind of interesting, though, that the vehicle is a Buick in China, but a Chevrolet in the USA. That might show the difference in expectations between the two countries’ drivers when it comes to content for the vehicle.

 

Buicks are very popular in China. I see them there all the time.

 

Buicks are very popular in China.

While I spent time in China I had several car discussions with people there. Their perception of car brands is very different. For quality they think American cars are on top, followed by German and then Japanese. Oddly, the most reliable are thought to be German. I think it's because VW started building cars there a long time ago and they have lasted much longer than Chinese made cars, of course, so they are seen as reliable. Most every taxi I took was a VW and several had brake warning and/or check engine lights on.

 

That is SO similar to the euv. So why have it a Chevy in the US and not a Buick? Prolly could have increased the price even.

 

So why have it a Chevy in the US and not a Buick?

I don't remember seeing many Chevy's in China. Buick was far more popular, with a reputation similar to Mercedes.

I don't think the Bolt fits the U.S. Buick brand at all. Market placement for brands can develop very differently in different countries.

 

Did the automotive journalists report on this when Bolt was introduced to US?
Why is this news now, or should we have known this already?

 

Even as a Chinese market car, I remember it getting some press here when it was introduced, including some speculation it could be the basis for a US model.

 

Where are the brake lights on the Chinese Buick

 

According to another video I saw, they are in the same spot on the bumper.

 

Not even close.

 

This thread makes me want to look into imported sideskirts.

 

I stand corrected. In a different shown ad the brake lights were in the entire led cross bar in the tailgate and on the rear fenders. Or maybe I'm just getting old enough to see only what I want to think I see. Thanks for the clarification. I also thought I saw in the same ad that range was 310 miles on a full (100%) charge. Now I see it as having only a 55 Kwh battery.

Scott

 

You did see 310 but you missed that it is kms, not miles.

 

I look forward to seeing if any Chevy EUV owners will buy the Buick logo parts and retrofit them to their Chevy EUV, just as some have bought Opel Ampara parts for their Bolt EV to create confusion and havoc in the US...

 

Here's a link from GM Authority comparing the two vehicles: Buick Velite 7 vs. Chevy Bolt EUV: Side By Side Comparison (gmauthority.com)
They're the same vehicles with just body design differences. So, our cheap Chevy EUV is actually a Buick in disguise!

 

Here's a link from GM Authority comparing the two vehicles: Buick Velite 7 vs. Chevy Bolt EUV: Side By Side Comparison (gmauthority.com)
They're the same vehicles with just body design differences. So, our cheap Chevy EUV is actually a Buick in disguise!

Not really. The Buick version has features Chevrolet doesn't normally have - like the automated parking. It might even have dual climate control (probably), and possibly they get an actual power tailgate! I haven't looked too closely at the options list, just at the posted videos.

However, being in NA, we get the SuperCruise option, which is nothing to sneeze at!

 

Anyone recall the speculative post made here when the EUV first came out, and we were all disappointed that the extra length went to rear seat leg room over more cargo space? The post made the point that the EUV was designed for the Chinese market, which values rear leg room as it is a status symbol to be driven around.

This news kinda validates that speculation.

 

Yep, and that would explain why GM bothered itself with stretching the Bolt mid-cycle and changing the sheet metal - enough to incur the costs and the PITA of redesigning the car, but not enough to make much difference in the usable interior volume. Made it look bland, and lose 20 miles of range .... nice job

I shouldn't be complaining, the 3" in the wheelbase does make the car a tad less skittish.

 

I seen it reported as being based on the Velite.


Buick Velite 7 vs. Chevy Bolt EUV: Side By Side Comparison - GM Authority https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/02/buick-velite-7-vs-chevy-bolt-euv-side-by-side-comparison/

 

Except the Bolt is designed and manufactured in South Korea

 

Actually, it was designed by GM Korea, but the Bolt has always been built at Orion Assembly in Orion, Michigan. And now the batteries are made in Michigan as well.

 

Wow! So we're all actually driving Buicks.

 

Has anybody noticed that the Bolt very similar to a Pontiac Vibe!

 

My wife and I owned a Buick EnCore for 8 years and I loved the car and I always wished that it was electric. Shazam I’m finally driving my electric Buick. 😎

 

That buick here with 250+hp.... yes please