1967 Buick Skylark Base Hardtop 4-door 5.6l on 2040-cars

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Buick Encore, Chevy Trax reportedly dead after 2022

The Buick Encore will not get an encore, and the Chevrolet Trax is dead in its tracks. Separate unverified reports say the two crossovers, which are essentially identical underneath the sheetmetal, will retire at the end of the 2022 model year without being directly replaced. Citing anonymous sources, enthusiast website GM Authority wrote that production of the Encore and the Trax is scheduled to end in the third quarter of 2022. Both models are manufactured in Bupyeong-gu, South Korea, and General Motors will reportedly use the extra production capacity to build more examples of the Trailblazer, which outsold the Encore and the Trax combined by a significant margin in 2021. General Motors hasn't commented on the report, but we wouldn't be surprised if the end is indeed near for the Encore and the Trax. Buick released the Encore for the 2013 model year, and Chevrolet launched the Trax for 2015, but the model made its debut as the Opel Mokka in 2012. It's at the end of its life cycle, and sales figures reflect this: 20,072 units of the Encore were sold in America in 2021, a drop of 52% compared to 2020, while 42,590 examples of the Trax found a home, a 60% decline. It's further proof that Americans don't like small cars. Viewed in that light, the decision not to replace either crossover makes perfect sense. If the report is accurate, the Encore GX (which is not related to the Encore in any way) will enter the 2023 model year as Buick's entry-level model. The situation is a little more complicated at Chevrolet: The pocket-sized Spark is on its way out in 2022 as well, meaning that the Trailblazer will become the entry point into the range. It's a different story in Europe: Opel, which is now part of the Stellantis group, released the second-generation Mokka in June 2020.

Buick Electra-X concept teased for Chinese audience

Buick is about to show its largest market, China, how the brand does an electric vehicle specifically for that clientele. The Tri-Shield released two images of the shark nose that will grace its Electra-X concept, a follow up to the Electra concept that debuted at the Auto Beijing in 2020. Instead of the 583-horsepower, high-riding, thick-bodied fanciful sedan of yore, the Electra-X should be a much more production-ready version of what Chinese buyers can expect. Buick China said that "The Electra-X concept takes Buick's innovative thinking and imagination of future electric mobility to the next level. It is designed to provide a safer, smarter and more desirable EV experience, building on Buick's deep understanding and insights of local consumers toward electrification and intelligent driving." This will be a different vehicle than the "groovy" EV concept Buick showed its American audience in February of this year, although there are similarities. Buick China also said of the Electra-X that it is "defined by the brand's all-new design language" that embodies "distinct and forward-looking styling, along with an airy interior." Another design trait will be slim, sloping DRLs, seen on the Chinese and U.S. concept teasers, with slight differences. The Asian market can also expect minimal surfacing, an ornate grille treatment, side mirror cameras, and trim A-pillars. Tech-wise, Buick says the Ultium-based product will come with Super Cruise and its Virtual Cockpit System. The China debut happens next month at 2022 Buick Brand Day. Our groovy EV debuts this summer, the automaker planning to have two electric vehicles in U.S. showrooms by the end of 2023. The Electra-X could give big clues about what's headed our way. Related video:

GM announces $7 billion Michigan factory investment, most going to EVs

GM announced a $7 billion investment in Michigan manufacturing, much of which is earmarked for EV production. Four sites are included, but the key elements are a new battery cell plant in Lansing and the conversion of GM's existing Orion Township facility to expand production of the forthcoming Chevrolet Silverado EV and its GMC Sierra sibling.  GM says it is the largest investment announcement in company history and that it will create 4,000 new jobs. It also says 1,000 jobs will be retained. "We are building on the positive consumer response and reservations for our recent EV launches and debuts, including the GMC Hummer EV, Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Equinox EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV," said GM CEO Mary Barra.  GM says the Orion expansion and new battery plant will support an increase in full-size electric truck production capacity to 600,000 units. This is in addition to the Factory ZERO facility in Detroit that will also be constructing the electric Silverado and Sierra.  The Orion Township factory current builds the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV, and will continue to do so during the plant's conversion. GM did not indicate what will happen with the Bolts once that conversion is complete or whether all will continue to be built at Orion. They do not use the Ultium vehicle architecture. GM will build other EV models at three other factories that are under construction or being converted. They are located in Spring Hill, Tennessee, Ingersoll, Ontario, and Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. GM says that it will have the ability to produce 1 million electric vehicles by 2025. The Ultium Cells Lansing facility is a $2.6 billion joint investment by GM and LG Energy Solution. GM says it alone will create 1,700 jobs once fully operational by late 2024. It will join two other GM Ultium Cells battery factories currently under construction in the United States, one in Ohio and the other in Tennessee.  Not all of the $7 billion investment will be for EVs. It also announced $510 million of the total will go toward upgrading the Lansing Delta Township Assembly to produce the next-generation Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave. Money will also go to upgrading Lansing Grand River Assembly.