[Ming]

Shanghai GM Automotive sales boom during Q1
Shanghai Daily news

Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp overtook First Automobile Works to become China's largest in terms of all-vehicle sales. It benefited from successful new models and popular mid-end cars

China's first quarter sales topped 1.27 million vehicles - a 29 percent year-on-year rise, according to statistics from China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Shanghai GM reported first quarter sales doubled from a year earlier to 68,000 units. The maker of the Buick series said recently that it raised manufacturing capacity to more than 21,000 units a month to meet the thirsty demand. People still need to wait up to two months to get an Excelle, one of the best sellers in the mid-end market. In China this model's first quarter sales were 22,376 units.

Full Article Here

Buick Excelle:

 

[Ming]

I think it had something to do with the preference of Communist party officials or government folks.

Whatever it was, Buick has an excellent reputation of affordable luxury in China, unlike the rather Blue Collar (even internationally) image of Chevy. Yet it leaves room for a brand like Cadillac to maintain the "high end luxury" image.

One thing Toyota has going for it --- it has a globally recognized brand synonymous with its manufacturer name.

"GM" sells next to nothing under the "GM" badge, on the other hand.

Sometimes I wonder if it wouldn't just be better to have the "GM" brand sold worldwide.