Core Insights - Buick has successfully navigated the challenges of transitioning to new energy vehicles, achieving unexpected growth through its "Joint Venture 2.0" strategy [1][2]. Sales Performance - Buick's sales in China have significantly declined from over 1 million units a decade ago to 360,000 units in 2024, with SAIC-GM reporting a net loss of 26.6 billion yuan that year [2]. - In 2025, Buick's high-end models priced above 300,000 yuan saw a remarkable sales increase of 92.6%, totaling 57,000 units, making it one of the few joint venture brands to achieve significant growth in a challenging high-end market [2]. - The GL8 family of vehicles, particularly in the MPV segment, has shown a year-on-year growth of approximately 23.7%, with total sales exceeding 121,949 units, accounting for nearly 30% of Buick's overall sales [6][8]. Product Strategy - Buick's high-end models include the GL8 fuel version, GL8 plug-in hybrid, Century, and the new high-end brand "至境" (Zhijing) [4]. - The GL8 has historically dominated the business MPV market but faced competition from domestic brands, leading to a decline in sales from 110,000 units in 2023 to 87,700 units in 2024 [6]. - The introduction of the "one-price" sales model has helped stabilize market presence and rebuild dealer confidence, with significant sales increases observed for models like the Envision Plus [9][12]. Technological Advancements - Buick has shifted its R&D focus to local teams, resulting in the development of the "逍遥" (Xiaoyao) architecture and "真龙" (Zhenlong) powertrain, which enhance efficiency and reduce development costs [15][16]. - The new architecture allows for compatibility across various vehicle types and energy sources, marking a significant advancement in Buick's product development capabilities [15]. - The launch of the 至境L7, Buick's first model developed by a Chinese team, has garnered over 12,000 pre-orders within ten days, indicating strong market interest [19]. Future Outlook - Buick plans to launch six new energy vehicles within a year based on the Xiaoyao architecture, including the upcoming 至境E7 SUV and a pure electric version of the 至境世家 [19]. - The transition to a more localized and aggressive strategy positions Buick as a leader in the evolving automotive landscape, showcasing a shift from traditional joint ventures to a more autonomous and innovative approach [19].