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April 23, 2003
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This Week:

• Two Successful BMW Cars Bid Farewell To The Sports Car World: Production Of Z8 and M5 Soon To Be Discontinued

• Lexus Introduces the HPX Concept Car at the New York International Auto Show

• 2004 Malibu Maxx SS Concept Car: Room And Zoom

• Cayenne Also Shows What It Can Do On The Big Screen

• Shanghai GM Unveils Buick Excelle Sedan

• Ford To Follow Its 2004 'Year Of The Car' With All-New Ford Futura Mid-Size Sedan

• Toyota Stages World Premiere Of All-New Camry Solara Coupe At 2003 New York Auto Show

• New Mazda MX Sportif Concept: An Electrifying Sport Compact Design

• Aulnay Plant (France) Produces its Sixth-Millionth Vehicle

• DaimlerChrysler Minivan, Powered by Unique Fuel-Cell System

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Shanghai GM Unveils Buick Excelle Sedan

Shanghai, China - Shanghai General Motors unveiled the Buick Excelle. The launch of the new product represents the joint venture's entry into China's high-potential lower-medium sedan segment. Based on a new global platform from GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GM Daewoo) that was first introduced in November 2002, the Excelle made its premiere in the run-up to Auto Shanghai 2003, Shanghai's premiere auto show, which takes place from April 21 through April 27 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. "With China's rapid economic development, the country's growing legion of private car buyers are migrating toward midsize products," said Chen Hong, President of Shanghai GM. "The Excelle is aimed at the mainstream car buyer who has high aspirations, both follows and sets trends, and has a desire to excel and advance in life. With its modern styling, spacious interior, user-friendly features and outstanding performance, the Excelle meets the demands of those who are looking for a powerful, contemporary automobile for both business and personal use."

Modern and Modest Exterior

World-renowned Italian design house Pininfarina gave the Excelle its European styling, which is modern and dynamic, yet simple, modest and refined. Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) carried out the redesign and reengineering of the Excelle to meet the specific needs and requirements of the China market.

The result is a vehicle that is gracefully proportioned. Among the many notable features are sleek cylindrical headlights, a muscular-shaped front bumper, a grille that has been localized for China with a touch of luxury and dynamism, eye-catching shoulder and body side lines, and integrated crystal-clear taillights.

Spacious and Passenger-Friendly Interior

The Excelle offers the most luxurious interior in its class. The silver control panel has a high-tech and stylish air. Wood grain was especially chosen to harmonize with the rich two-tone pattern inside. Driver and passenger-friendly features include an adjustable steering wheel with audio controls, a first-rate entertainment system and a high-performance air conditioning unit.

A length of 4,515 millimeters, width of 1,725 millimeters, height of 1,445 millimeters and wheelbase of 2,600 millimeters ensure a roomy and comfortable ride. The Excelle makes highly efficient use of space, with up to 16 consoles and compartments for cargo storage. The rear seats can be individually folded with a 60/40 split for more room.

Powerful Twin-Tech Engine

The Excelle comes equipped with a new-generation four-cylinder Twin-Tech engine from GM's Australian unit, Holden. The engine is characterized by high power, high efficiency and low noise. A newly designed multi-valve adjustable-induction system guarantees optimum air intake, which provides better performance, lower fuel consumption and increased durability. The engine fully meets the Euro-III environmental-protection standard. The Excelle will be available with a choice of a 1.6-liter engine mated to a manual transmission or a 1.8-liter engine mated to an automatic transmission.

Extensive Durability Testing

The original GM Daewoo model was put through 1.8 million kilometers of durability tests in more than 10 countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, Australia, the United States and China.

The Excelle endured nearly 100,000 kilometers of vigorous testing of its own in China, including 15 hours per day of nonstop testing in various types of inclement weather and road conditions by PATAC in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Hainan province and at the Dingyuan proving ground in Anhui province. The testing enabled engineers to fine-tune the Excelle to local climate, road and fuel conditions.

The Excelle will be shipped to Shanghai GM's 180 authorized retailers across China beginning in late July or early August.

(April 19, 2003)