US carmaker General Motors has launched its all-new L7 extended-range plug-in hybrid sedan in China, under its new Electra premium new energy vehicle (NEV) sub-brand. The new model went on sale across its Buick dealer network in the country.
GM said that the new “intelligent” Electra L7 marks “another milestone in the brand’s expansion into China’s rapidly growing NEV market.” The US automaker is looking to recover the significant ground it has lost in this market over the last several years due to the rapid surge in domestic NEV brands.
This year, the company’s Shanghai-based joint venture, SAIC-GM, has seen its sales begin to rebound after several years of sharp declines. In the first eight months of 2025, SAIC-GM’s sales increased by 29% to 331,216 units, albeit from very depressed levels a year earlier.
The L7, which the company describes as a C-segment luxury sedan, is produced by SAIC-GM. It is built on the company’s newly-developed “Xiao Yao” platform which incorporates extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) technology, advanced driver assistance systems, and smart cabin technologies.
The cabin features a “floating island-style dashboard, premium Nappa leather, and four-zone suspension seats with a double 120-degree zero-gravity function for the front passenger.” It is also equipped with a 27-speaker Buick sound system, including headrest speakers and active noise cancellation, which it says “delivers an immersive, concert-hall-level audio experience.”
The L7 comes with GM’s in-house “Zhen Long” range-extender system, featuring a 252 kW single-motor that it says delivers a power output “on par with a 3.0L V6 turbo engine.” It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and from 80-120 km/h in 3.8 seconds.
The L7 offers a pure-electric range of 302 km and a combined range of 1,420 km on a full charge and full fuel tank. The battery supports 130 kW DC fast charging, enabling it to be charged from 30% to 80% in just 18 minutes.
