Buick’s First Electric Vehicle in Canada Will Have to Wait, Again

General Motors is just one among a growing number of automakers revising their electric vehicle plans due to slower than anticipated demand, particularly in North America. CEO Mary Barra shared more bad news this week.

Production of electric pickups in Orion, Michigan—home of the Chevrolet Bolt EV until late last year—has been pushed back another six months. It’s now expected to begin in mid-2026, that is if no further changes are made between now and then.

The same plant is supposed to assemble Buick’s first EV for the North American market, which has yet to be unveiled, as you know. In other words, patience will be required for even longer than we thought.

Photo: Buick

The production model could—and we do mean could—draw inspiration from the sensational Wildcat EV concept (pictured above) that was initially introduced in June 2022 and later displayed in a Canadian premiere at the Montreal Auto Show in January 2023. One thing’s for sure, it will ride on GM’s Ultium platform and battery, similar to many others including the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Equinox EV as well as the Cadillac Lyriq and Optiq.

Oh, and forget about the Buick Electra E5 (which you can find in the photo gallery at the top), Electra E4 and Velite 6 that are already on sale in China. None of them will be coming here, not with the U.S. slapping 102.5 percent tariffs on Chinese-made EVs.

Watch: Buick Enclave is All-New for 2025

Share on Facebook

More on the subject

Test Drives2024 Buick Encore GX: Cute, But...
In order to appreciate the Buick Encore GX , you first need to drive the stylish Envista , the brand’s all-new entry-level crossover featuring a 1.2-litre triple-cylinder engine with a very modest 136 horsepower. The Encore GX is barely more potent thanks to a 1.3-litre unit that increases output to …
NewsRedesigned 2025 Buick Enclave Drops V6, Gets Super Cruise
The next-generation Buick Enclave marks a complete change from its seven-year-old predecessor with the brand’s latest design language and more cutting-edge technology. Aesthetically, the new 2025 model looks boxier and more imposing. As a matter of fact, it’s longer, wider and taller than before. The front fascia incorporates Buick’s signature …
News2024 Buick Envision Gets New Tech and Styling
The Buick Envision saw a 9.8% increase in sales in 2023, and receives a significant design update for 2024, not to mention more technology inside and out. Visually, the Envision harmonizes with the rest of the range by borrowing the new Buick front-end inspired by the Wildcat concept, along with …
ElectricHonda, GM Scrap 'Affordable' EV Tie-up
Japanese automaker Honda and U.S. giant General Motors said Thursday they were scrapping a tie-up that was aimed at producing "affordable" electric vehicles from 2027. "After extensive studies and analysis, we have come to a mutual decision to discontinue the program," the firms said in a joint statement. No reason …
Test Drives2024 Buick Envista: Young Buyers Welcome
Ann Arbor, MI - Automakers are constantly looking for new ways to sell more metal. Think of Chrysler's 1984 Autobeaucoup, which launched the minivan category, or the arrival of the Nissan Juke, a curious vehicle that started the very small SUV category. Buick is counting on the Encore GX to …
ElectricBuick to Go All-Electric by 2030, First EV Coming in 2024
Buick is still in the process of reinventing itself after becoming an SUV-only brand. Did you know that 73 percent of sales are currently coming from customers that are new to Buick? An even bigger and more significant transformation is on the way: all Buick models will be fully electric …