Buick launches first Ultium-based electric SUV for China

Buick launched the E5 SUV on Thursday in Wuhan, Hubei province, with five variants at prices starting from 208,900 yuan ($30,500).

"The Electra E5 is tailored for the needs and preferences of mainstream EV buyers in China," said Cesar Toledo, general director of Buick sales and marketing at SAIC-GM.

Based on GM's Ultium electric vehicle platform and pure design concept, the Electra E5 has a class-leading 2,954 millimeters wheelbase and is 4,892 mm in length. Backseat passengers can enjoy 1,030 mm of legroom.

The SUV can achieve a maximum range of 620 kilometers and a top torque of 465 Newton meters. Its acceleration from 0-100 kilometers per hour is 6.7 seconds.

The E5 is supported by GM's Vehicle Intelligence Platform, also known as the central nervous system of its electric vehicles. A Qualcomm 8155 chip and 5G technology allow efficient information transmission and operation, and over-the-air updates.

Buick has launched the first batch of Buick pure electric spaces that provide one-stop services for car viewing, selection and order, and pure electric zones in dealerships. By the end of 2023, the brand is to open 60 pure electric spaces and more than 600 zones.

According to Wang Yongqing, general manager of SAIC-GM, the second Ultium-based model of Buick will hit the market in the summer. The brand is to launch five Ultium models by the end of 2025.