Sure, the Opel Ampera is nothing more than a Chevrolet Volt with some extremely mild cosmetic changes, but doppelgangers have always had a very special place in the wonderful world of General Motors. If Bloomberg’s inside sources are right, GM is currently looking into the development of a Buick-badged version of the plug-in hybrid Opel Ampera. According to people familiar with the project, the Buick model could go on sale in 2013, if the plans goes ahead.
Given that the styling changes over the Chevrolet Volt would be limited to a Buick-specific grille and bumper designs, one of the most significant problems GM faces is how to justify the car and its higher price tag which would be in excess of the Volt’s base MSRP of US$41,000 not including a $7,500 federal tax credit.
Jim Hall, chief of 2953 Analytics Inc., a consulting firm in Birmingham, Michigan, believes that GM may be able to pull it off by adding more special features and upgrading the interior with higher-quality materials and trim, and most importantly, through the use of more advanced components that could reduce weight and improve the car’s electric-only range or driving performance.
GM spokesperson Rob Peterson, declined to confirm or deny the report on a possible plug-in hybrid Buick, simply stating, “We have talked about a variety of ways to leverage the Voltec drive system”.
Source: Bloomberg
