Shanghai 2009: Buick's handsome new MPV concept is all business
by Chris Paukert on Apr 20th 2009 at 10:27AM 
Buick "Business" MPV concept - Click above for a hi-res gallery
General Motors has unveiled its new Buick "Business" MPV concept in Shanghai, and while details remain scarce as we try to practice our Chinese, we can tell you that while the idea of another Buick minivan may be hard for U.S. audiences to swallow (after the poor sales and driving experience of the Terraza), Buick MPVs do a very solid trade in China as executive transports. Thus, instead of prioritizing sippy cup storage, this is clearly more of a high-roofed luxury limousine.
Our compatriots over at Autoblog Chinese (who bring you these images) tell us that this vehicle is the result of a joint-venture between General Motors China and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, as was the 2007 Rivera concept before it. If our Google translator is to be believed, this vehicle is still based on the Buick GL8 (read: Terraza), and the "land-based business class" concept is designed to point the way toward future visions of Buick luxury for customers in the land of the Great Wall. We'll have more details for you as they become available. For now, take a look at the gallery below.
Gallery: shanghai 2009:buick mpv concept
Photos copyright ©2009 IceBin/ Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Autoblog Chinese]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
asdffdsa 10:34AM (4/20/2009)
looks like a Mazda5 with a massive grill slapped on.
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BoxerFanatic 10:37AM (4/20/2009)
If the Mazda 5 were 45% larger, maybe. That Buick is not a small vehicle, and Mazda 5 is barely bigger than mazda 3.
And this sort of thing is why Buick won't be sold off...
geo.stewart 11:30AM (4/20/2009)
Ms. Swan: Yeah, okay, I tell you everything.
Ms. Swan: It look-a like-a van
greeedy 12:24PM (4/20/2009)
For you people giving my comment negative votes, let's look at them side-by-side. The forms are strikingly similar
Buick
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/buick-business-concept-580_opt.jpg
mazda5
http://www.paddocktalk.com/news/html/modules/ew_filemanager/07images/ptalk/roadtest/mazda/5gt/No%201.jpg
Tagbert 12:48AM (4/21/2009)
Looks like it is aimed squarely at the Toyota Venza much more so than the much smaller Mazda5
AntBee 10:38AM (4/20/2009)
Very impressive! I like how the tail lights mimic the shape of the greenhouse, only in reverse. Well done, GM China and Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center!
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izorro 10:38AM (4/20/2009)
I like the Riviera Concepts influence but the nose/grill is too big...looks bigger than an the 5 though...
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Insight 10:41AM (4/20/2009)
Looks like a Nissan Quest and Mazda 5 got busy. Not bad at all till you get to the face - ouch!
I'd like a family hauler with these lines and less weight than the enclave.
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FousString85 10:42AM (4/20/2009)
I like how the window line drops at the middle of the rear door. Kind of the opposite of every other belt line out there.
Go GM!!
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fixitfixitstop 10:46AM (4/20/2009)
I was just going to comment about how much I don't like that kink in the window line.
Andrew L 12:06PM (4/20/2009)
Yea I'm not feeling that either....
Craig 12:08PM (4/20/2009)
I do not like the drop... It doesn't even make sense. I mean - in the Genesis Coupe (and I'm still not in love with treatment in that application either) it's there to improve rear passenger visibility (and be unique). But here I can't see it helping visibility back there at all - it dips too late. I suppose it's unique. But that doesn't make it attractive.
Luis 10:42AM (4/20/2009)
Buick will become GMs China brand, much like Opel on the Continent. Buick really has no market in the US that Caddy can't fill.
FWIW smaller vans are big business in Asia. They runabout everywhere.
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AntBee 10:44AM (4/20/2009)
Joke #1:
"Hey, you never give me gas money, stay out of my Business!"
Joke #2:
"Hey, your Business is awfully dirty."
"Why don't you mind your own Business?"
Joke #3:
"Is your Business in the shop? How's your Business coming along?"
"Why yes, Business is up (on the lift)."
Thank you, I'm here all day!
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carlbolt 11:26AM (4/20/2009)
AntBee,
These are not jokes, nor are they relavent to the topic.
AntBee 11:35AM (4/20/2009)
Lighten up carlbolt, just trying to have a little fun.
John 10:46AM (4/20/2009)
So a bit of googling has revealed the Buick GL8 to be the basic GM van before it got the monstrous faux-SUV treatment that added the giant c-pillar and lemon-sucking grille of the Terazza. A new, sleeker nose makes it not such a bad package all around.
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BigWill 10:46AM (4/20/2009)
Looks like the love child of a Mercedes R-Class and Buick Enclave.
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3seriesisking 11:39AM (4/20/2009)
And that's not a good thing. Handsome Autoblog? Really?
jv2k 10:47AM (4/20/2009)
Looks like a stretched out small hatchback, if that makes any sense.
I'm not a big fan of the way it looks but it isn't terrible looking.
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