Buick dealers expect to spend at least ‘$300 to $400K’ to sell EVs as the brand goes all-electric
General Motors is giving its Buick dealers an ultimatum – invest in the company’s future as it transitions to an all-electric future, or take a buyout. However, with the minimum upfront costs ranging from $300,000 to $400,000, some Buick dealers are apparently taking GM up on its buyout offer.
As part of GM’s commitment to an all-electric lineup, it will convert all of its brands – Chevy, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac – into EV-only brands as it phases out gas cars.
To do so, General Motors, like most legacy automakers are realizing, will need to work with its dealers to make the transition as efficient as possible and to compete in the expanding EV market.
That’s a task that’s easier said than done. For one thing, dealerships need certain upgrades for charging infrastructure, retooling, and training employees.
After receiving pushback from some dealers in 2020, GM offered up to $500,000 in settlements to Cadillac dealers that didn’t want to invest and sell EVs as it geared up for the launch of the Lyriq.
General Motors is doing the same with its Buick dealers as the brand prepares to release its first electric vehicle in the US in 2024 on its way to becoming a fully electric brand by the decade’s end.
Some Buick dealers opt out of GMs all-electric future
According to the Detroit Free Press, there are at least a few Buick dealers not ready to invest and take part in the auto industry’s future.
Although a GM spokesperson declined to comment on the number, a Buick dealership owner (who wanted to remain anonymous due to the buyout terms) told reporters the company offered him inventory from other franchises that took GM up on its buyout offer.
Meanwhile, a metro Detroit area Buick dealer told the Detroit Free Press that, as far as he knows, all Buick dealerships in the metro area are investing in selling electric vehicles.
In a statement, Sean Poppitt, a Buick spokesperson, said:
We see Buick’s dealer network as a business advantage, and they will remain a critical part of the retail and relationship chain with customers. Acceptance of an offer is voluntary, but all Buick dealers who remain must be adequately prepared to sell and service Buick EVs.
Poppitt added that the minimum investment for Buick dealers to sell EVs is around $300,000 to $400,000, but it could vary depending on the size and other GM brands they offer.
Buick is preparing to be an all-electric brand by 2030, with its first fully electric vehicle in the US expected in 2024. The automaker gave us a glimpse of what the brand could look like in the electric era with its Wildcat EV concept. In addition, Buick just released its first Ultium-based EV in China, with the “Electra” brand name slated to arrive in the US.
Electrek’s Take
As GM and other automakers look to catch Tesla in electric vehicle sales, they are realizing the need to streamline the process to make it as efficient as possible.
Part of the process includes slimming up operations and getting the dealerships that want to participate the resources they need. Ford said earlier this month that two-thirds of its dealers joined its Model e program to sell EVs, leaving the other one-third without any until 2027.
As Buick transitions toward an all-electric future, it may make sense for GM to operate from fewer dealerships.
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GM sold over 21,000 electric vehicles in the US last month, its best yet. Despite the surge in August sales, GM warned that with the “irrational discounts” on EVs set to end soon, the market is due for a shake-up.
GM sells record EVs in August as irrational discounts end
August was GM’s best month ever for EV sales. The company sold over 21,000 electric models under the Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac brands last month.
The higher demand comes as buyers rush to secure the $7,500 federal tax credit, which is set to expire at the end of September.
Driven by the hot-selling Chevy Equinox EV, Cadillac Lyriq, and GMC Sierra EV, GM remains the second-best seller of EVs behind Tesla.
GM expects to see strong demand again this month, but without the credit, it expects changes next quarter. GM said, “There’s no doubt we’ll see lower EV sales next quarter.” The company anticipates it will take several months for the market to correct, adding that “We will almost certainly see a smaller EV market for a while.”
Like several automakers in the US, GM will adjust production accordingly, promising not to overproduce. Despite slower sales, it remains confident that its EV market share will continue to grow.
Since affordable EVs and luxury models have been the strongest segments, GM believes it’s in a better position than most. It already has “America’s most affordable 315+ range EV,” the Chevy Equinox EV. The electric Equinox is one of the few EVs with a starting price under $35,000 in the US.
Soon, the new Chevy Bolt EV will debut, which is expected to be even more affordable, starting at around $30,000.
With a full line-up of electric SUVs, Cadillac is the leading luxury EV brand, but that doesn’t include Tesla. And then there’s the Chevy and GMC electric pickup with segment-leading range, features, and more.
GM said as it adjusts to the “new EV market realities,” its ICE vehicles will provide flexibility while driving profits. We will learn more on October 1 when GM reports full third-quarter sales results.
Although I wouldn’t call it “irrational,” GM is offering generous discounts on EVs with the deadline approaching. The Chevy Equinox EV is listed for lease starting at just $249 per month with a new $1,250 conquest bonus. Chevy is also offering the $7,500 credit on top of 0% APR financing until the end of September.
Thinking about trying one of GM’s EVs for yourself? You can use the links below to find Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC models in your area.
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Global solar installations are breaking records again in 2025. In H1 2025, the world added 380 gigawatts (GW) of new solar capacity – a staggering 64% jump compared to the same period in 2024, when 232 GW came online. China was responsible for installing a massive 256 GW of that solar capacity.
For context, it took until September last year to pass the 350 GW mark. This year, the milestone was achieved in June. That pace cements solar as the fastest-growing source of new electricity generation worldwide. In 2024, global solar output rose by 28% (+469 terawatt-hours) from 2023, more growth than any other energy source.
Nicolas Fulghum, senior energy analyst at independent energy think tank Ember, said, “These latest numbers on solar deployment in 2025 defy gravity, with annual solar installations continuing their sharp rise. In a world of volatile energy markets, solar offers domestically produced power that can be rolled out at record speed to meet growing demand, independent of global fossil fuel supply chains.”
China’s solar dominance
China is leading this surge by a wide margin. In the first half of 2025, the country installed more than twice as much solar capacity as the rest of the world combined, accounting for 67% of global additions. That’s up from 54% in the same period last year. Developers rushed to complete projects before new wind and solar compensation rules took effect in June, fueling the spike. While that may lead to a slowdown in the second half of the year, new clean power procurement requirements for industry and bullish forecasts from China’s solar PV association (CPIA) suggest that 2025 will still surpass 2024’s record high.
The rest of the world
Other countries are adding solar at a healthy clip, too. Together, they installed an estimated 124 GW in the first half of 2025, a 15% year-over-year increase. India came in second with 24 GW, up 49% from last year’s 16 GW. The US ranked third with 21 GW, a 4% gain year-over-year despite recent moves by the Trump administration to suppress clean power deployment. Germany and Brazil saw slight dips, while the rest of the world added 65 GW, a 22% rise over 2024.
Africa’s solar market is also stirring. The continent imported 60% more solar panels from China over the past year, though a lack of reliable installation data makes it a challenge to track the true pace of deployment.
With installations surging across major markets and China driving the charge, 2025 is on track to be another record-breaking year for solar power.
Read more: China-made panels drive Africa’s 15 GW solar import milestone
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Porsche just axed two of its most iconic models. The gas-powered 718 Cayman and Boxster sports cars have been discontinued, with their new EV successors set to debut next year. However, Porsche isn’t the only brand killing off a popular nameplate.
Sports cars are due for EV successors in 2026
As it prepares for the all-electric replacements, Porsche has stopped taking new orders for the 718 Cayman and Boxster. For now, you can still order the vehicles from stock.
We’ve known for years that an electric replacement was on the way for the 718 lineup. Porsche CEO Oliver Blume confirmed in 2022 that the electric 718 successor would follow the Taycan and Macan EVs.
Although the new Cayman and Boxster EVs were expected to launch by the end of this year, it was pushed back due to software and battery sourcing delays.
Porsche initially planned to build the EV versions alongside the current ICE models at its Zuffenhausen plant, but that will no longer be the case. Despite rumors that Porsche was planning to extend 718 production, “high-ranking Porsche sources” told Autocar that’s not the plan.
The luxury sports car maker has dialed back its EV plans recently, with ICE Macan and Cayenne models now due to be sold alongside the electric versions.
Meanwhile, Porsche isn’t the only sports car maker killing off models with new EV successors on the way. Audi confirmed with Autoblog that the A7 and S7 will be discontinued after the 2025 model year.
In a statement, Audi said, “There are no 2026 Model Year A7 or S7 being offered as production shifts to the new A6 TFSI coming later this year.” However, the RS7 will live on as a 2026MY. The ICE A7 will be rebranded as the A6 TFSI, while the EV version will retain the A6 E-tron name, featuring a similar sportback design to the outgoing model.
Porsche and Audi have leaned into a more flexible “multi-energy” strategy, blaming slowing EV sales and a changing market.
Just last week, Porsche announced it no longer plans to build EV batteries in-house. Instead, it will focus on research and development.
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