click above image to view more shots of the hybrid Buick Riviera Concept

Here in the United States, hybrids are usually marketed under one of two schemes: green or sporty. Most vehicles, including the flag-bearing Prius, fall under the green banner, with fuel efficiency being the top marketing point. A smaller number of vehicles, mostly all from Lexus, use their hybrid drivetrain as a performance enhancer, and they are often marketed as sporty vehicles. It seems that in China, vehicle marketing from GM will soon hit a mark close to that of Lexus' with their hybrids, as the company will market its Chinese hybrids and fuel efficient models as prestigious vehicles. To go along with the fuel savings of the (sometimes hybrid) vehicle, image in China is extremely important, according to Joseph Liu, General Motors China Group's executive director of vehicle sales, service and merchandising. Therefore, three points will be highlighted from GM in China, the use of water-based paints, the fact that their entire line meets Euro-IV emissions standards and that two of their drivetrains are rated as the most fuel efficient in their class.

[Source: Just-Auto]

A little while back we brought you a video featuring footage of artist Michel de Broin's "Shared Propulsion Car" as he and some friends rolled it out of a garage, climbed in and began pedaling (yes, I said pedaling) their way a short distance down the street. The ride was short because, before they were too tired to pedal the hollowed-out shell of the 1986 Buick Regal further, they were pulled over by Toronto's finest in a traditionally-powered squad car. Apparently the officers were under the impression that an unsafe vehicle was being operated and had decided to take decisive action. A tow truck was called and a court summons to face aforementioned charges issued to Trevor Baldwin, who was behind the wheel at the time of interdiction.

The court finally heard the case and, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) News website, "As the Crown prosecutor tried to make his case Thursday, the court erupted in laughter, and the charges were thrown out." After the hearing, Baldwin was asked about his plans and is quoted as saying, "I'm thinking it's a really nice day, so we might go for a drive." A nice way to celebrate his legal victory indeed. To check out the original footage of the incident, hit the jump.

Here's an update on GM's new hybrid for China. Shanghai GM says they will release a Buick LaCrosse hybrid for the Chinese market before the Beijing Olympics, which will have its opening ceremonies August 8, 2008. The hybrid will be based on the Saturn Aura hybrid and the pricing and mileage difference ($2,500 premium and 25 percent improvement in mileage) hints the hybrid system is mild and not GM's two mode system.

In China, Toyota and Honda currently offer a hybrid for sale. Recently, China's Changan Auto debuted its first hybrid and other Chinese automakers like BYD and Chery said they would offer hybrids next year. In a recent speech, Bob Lutz said China admired the Buick brand over any other GM brand. Currently there are no plans to release a Buick LaCrosse hybrid in the American market.

GM has said they would release 16 hybrids in the next 4 years and the US market already has the Aura hybrid, so a Buick hybrid in the U.S. is possible. Below the fold is a Chinese TV ad for the Buick.

Related:

• Want a Buick hybrid? Move to China, where the LaCrosse hybrid is coming soon
• LA Auto Show video: Bob Lutz confirms GM will release 16 hybrids in next four years
• China's Changan Auto's first hybrid model: Jiexun-HEV
• Chery has huge plans for hybrids in 2008 and beyond
• China's BYD Automobile to make hybrid next year

[Source: AutoChannel]

UPDATE: Thanks to Ash, image has been changed.

Artist Michel de Broin stripped down a 1986 Buick Regal and added pedal power. The video above shows some guys taking it on the road, then the Toronto police pulling the car over and eventually towing it away. Don't feel too bad for the concept because there is a street-legal human-powered car available from the HumanCar Company. I think a covered human car and even the Buick would be street legal if the people that made the video took the right steps. I assume riding in a comfortable, aerodynamic, safe human-powered vehicles is a funny, stunt to these people but it's a serious issue. Below the fold is a video of an electric-assist Velomobile, a popular covered bike-car concept.

[Source: Jalopnik]