Auto Channel

Buick's gullwing coupe concept, designed to reflect the brand's global identity, was presented in China at April's Auto Shanghai 2007 event to showcase Buick's plan of global brand cohesion. The Buick Riviera Concept will now make its North American Debut at Detroit in January, chiefly showcasing to its traditional market the innovative design language set for future Buicks.

Although its name hales from eight generations and 33 years of two-door Buick coupes, a production version of the Riviera is unlikely, unless the cries of production from its US tour from Detroit in January toi Chicago in February and onwards stimulate enough demand. The next-generation of Buick's LaCrosse sedan however is a likely candidate to borrow heavily from the concept's signature design, which the firm describe as that which onlookers will want to explore as much with their hands as their eyes.

The Riviera Concept can be caught first on a US stand from 19 - 29th January at the North American International Automobile Show in Detroit, followed closely by an appearance at the Chicago Auto Show, which runs from 8 - 17th February.