Report: GM readying Buick Ampera

According to a new report from Bloomberg, General Motors is working on a Buick-badged version of its Opel Ampera plug-in hybrid, Europe's mechanical twin to the Chevrolet Volt. The car hasn't received final approval yet, as GM still isn't sure it can get buyers to justify in inevitable premium over the $41,000 pre-incentive Volt.

To make a Buick version more marketable, the General may attempt to take measures to extend the car's all-electric range, like using lighter materials, but that may be a higher level of investment than the program calls for. That said, any Ampera with a waterfall grille will probably require a few more creature comforts and better interior materials to command Buick's typically higher pricepoint.

If General Motors can figure out how to build and sell an Buick Volt/Ampera, the car will probably arrive in 2013 as a 2014 model. For now, range and performance will likely be pretty similar to the Volt.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/30/r...-buick-ampera/

 

I really wish we got the Ampera here instead of the Volt. It looks much better and doesn't have the tacky off colored side skirts/lower trim.

 

GM/Buick can wait.

I think they need to fix issues with the Volt (mainly cost and driving range) before they spawn it into other brands.

It would be appropriate to make the Ampera along with the second generation Volt.

 

I'm more concerned with how ugly the Volt is in comparison to the Ampera.

I wouldn't buy either, I just think from a styling standpoint the Ampera is better.

 

Agreed, Buick version can wait. The badge-engineering is a bit too obvious.

 

Badge-engineering, I agree. Nevertheless, I say bring it on...........but try and keep the price as close to that of the Volt as possible. If you're going to pay 40K list (before taxes) or more for a small hybrid, it might as well have the Buick nameplate and styling instead of a Chevy. Potential Lexus HS250 shoppers (if they cross-shop at all) would be more likely to cross-shop a Buick hybrid instead of a Chevy. And, with the big Federal tax credit on hybrids (and any state-tax credits, if applicable), you're going to end up paying a good deal less, after taxes, than the official 41K.

 

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Fix the problems before you create other iterations.

That being said, if GM could increase range by 25%, or add solar, or something I could see a $45,000 price tag. Would be better suited for a Caddy though. It's the name.

 

I'm kind of seeing some Subaru SVX on that car.

 

Yeah, I see it too.

 

Although no new model is perfect, that doesn't necesarily mean that you are going to have significant teething problems with it. The way I see it, let's not put the cart before the horse.....we're assuming problems that may or may not actually occur. And the GM of today, especially in the Chevy and Buick Divisions, is considerably better than just a few years ago.

 

While I agree that GM is far better than it was, the Volt needs work. It's a great idea. The range is good, but I find the car to be very expensive for only 35 to 40 MPG after you deplete the battery. That is a big problem for me.

 

yet another rebadge. It looks better than the volt but its clearly just a tarted up volt with a cooler name