GM buys out nearly half of it's Buick dealers across the country, who opt to not sell EVs (New Wildcat EV pic)

[A HERETIC I AM]

General Motors said nearly half its Buick dealers took buyouts this year rather than invest in selling and servicing electric vehicles as the automaker's brands transitions to all electric by 2030.

That means GM will end 2023 with about 1,000 Buick stores nationwide, down 47% from where it started the year.

Late last year, Buick said it would be asking dealers to commit a minimum investment of $300,000 to $400,000 to prepare their stores to sell and service EVs.

From here


Check out this cool prototype Wildcat EV!

[moniss]

1. Meh

no portholes.

[k55f5r]

8. Ventiports is the official name. n/t

[MichMan]

2. Can't say I blame them for making a business decison

$300-$400k is a lot of money for a smaller size dealership to pay out.

[getagrip_already]

3. Not really for a dealership....

A showroom redesign can cost $200k, a repair bay refresh about the same.

Inventory represents a far bigger investment.

Dealerships are expensive to operate. It's more likely the Buick brand just isn't making the sales volumes to justify the expenses.

I didnt even think Buick was still being sold. I can't imagine it has a large market position.

[JoseBalow]

4. So for the cost of less than a dozen cars

GM would rather buy out the dealership rather than just cover the cost themselves?

Sounds like a pretty lame excuse to me

[Mr.Bill]

7. My guess is they will try to sell those dealerships

to people willing to invest the money.

[KS Toronado]

5. That prototype looks more like a sports car

Most Buicks to me have always been high end family 4 door vehicles.

[A HERETIC I AM]

6. Thay have put out the occasional sports car over the years.

Last edited Fri Dec 29, 2023, 07:25 PM - Edit history (1)

Who can forget the famous Buick GNX?


Quickest zero to sixty production car in the world in those days.

I worked for a company that represented Buick Motorsports in the 80's (my first gig in motorsports) and I carried on that display truck a Wildcat Prototype back then.





And there was of course, the Reatta;

[Old Crank]

9. Perhaps the dealers

Could see what kind of business they would get from EVs. I think the largest portion of a car dealter's profit comes from the service department. EVs will need a lot less service compared to ICE or hybrid.
You don't have as many belts, waterpumps, alternators or transmissions. Brakes don't wear as fast either.
Regular interval stops at my Toyota dealer ran over $200 plus every time they went in. In the SF bay area shop time is at or near $200/hour at dealers.