Buick's new baby Enclave compact crossover may be built off of the new Chevrolet Aveo platform at the Orion Township, Michigan, plant. GM has recently been revamping the plant in order to prepare for it for assembly of its new generation small cars.
If you're still trying to understand how Buick, Enclave, and Aveo could possibly be connected in the same sentence, let us explain. The Associated Press quotes "a person briefed on the plan" that Buick will expand its lineup with a crossover built at Orion Township plant alongside and employing underpinnings similar to the supposedly much-improved Aveo.
The last time Buick took a stab at a compact crossover (a Saturn Vue rebadged as a Buick, shown at top) it was unaffectionately dubbed the "Vuick" and later axed. But a baby Enclave could be just what Buick needs to lower the average age of the brand's buyers to continue to improve the brand's U.S. reputation.
Add to that the upcoming Buick based on the Opel Astra -- pictured here as the Buick Excelle -- and the rumored, less expensive compact car based on the Chevrolet Cruze, and Buick may also be on its way to achieving its goal of doubling U.S. sales in just three years.
The new Chevrolet Aveo is expected to attain 40 mpg on the highway, like the Ford Fiesta. While we wouldn't expect similar performance from the small Buick crossover, its underpinnings should help it become one of the more efficient entries in the class.
Buick executives have hinted that they might provide more information on the crossover at a Detroit event later today -- until then, tell us what you would call the compact Buick crossover in the comments section below.