General Motors Could Revive Electra as Electric SUV
» Posted January 10, 2022 • Resources | Share This Post
It appears that General Motors is revving up to bring back the Buick Electra, this time as an electric sport utility vehicle.
The auto manufacturer recently filed for a trademark for “Buick Electra” in an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Car and Driver reports. The “Electra” nameplate also appeared on an electric concept SUV at the last Beijing auto show, according to the news outlet.
“Like the Electra concept, expect the production Buick Electra to use GM's latest electric vehicle hardware, which goes by the name Ultium,” Car and Driver’s Greg Fink writes. “In other words, the new Electra could share its battery pack options, electric motors, and basic platform with other GM EVs, such as the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq.”
The original Electra nameplate was put out to pasture all the way back in 1990. The full-size luxury vehicle was produced for more than three decades and over six generations in various bodies, like coupes, convertibles, sedans and station wagons.
The Ultium battery is said to potentially be able to provide up to 404 miles per charge, according to CNET. Whether it ultimately winds up under the hood of new Buick Electras remains to be seen.
“Of course, don't forget that companies file for trademarks and patents all the time to ensure no one else swoops in and takes an up-for-grabs name,” Steven Ewing reports for CNET. “This could just be a case of GM keeping its paperwork up to date, but we won't be surprised if there's a new Buick Electra with an electric powertrain in the coming years.”
GM Vehicle Defects Pose Safety Threats
As GM tinkers with new car concepts, it continues to have a hard time ensuring that the cars it puts on the road today are safe to drive. The company, along with other major auto manufacturers, recalls millions of vehicles per year over a variety of defects that increase the risk of a crash or heighten the risk of injury in the event of an accident.
In December, for example, GM called back some 15,000 vehicles because of a fuel pump defect that the company said could cause cars to stall unexpectedly. The company also recently called back approximately 95,000 sport utility vehicles, citing a defect that could cause their seatbelts to become inoperable.
Fortunately for car owners and lessors in California, the state’s lemon law offers some valuable rights and protections. The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act requires GM and other car manufacturers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces those companies to buy back (or replace, in some cases) covered cars that they are not able or unwilling to fix.
Speak with an Orange County Lemon Law Attorney
If you are a car owner or lessor who is locked in a dispute with a manufacturer over repairs, an Orange County lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.
Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with an Orange County lemon law attorney today.
