19/06/2008 06:33. According to the China-based Gasgoo.com portal, Shanghai General Motors will replace the current (GMX365) Buick LaCrosse, a large front-wheel drive sedan, with a locally built version of the forthcoming (GM3700) Opel/Vauxhall Insignia from early 2009.

The current Shanghai-built LaCrosse, a differently styled car to the US market model with which it shares its W-body platform, was launched in China only two years ago. The North American version (identical apart from Buick Allure badging in Canada) is built at GM's Oshawa 2 plant in Ontario. Both the LaCrosse and Allure are due to be replaced in early 2009 by another model of the same name which has been developed under the GMX353 codename.

The portal, which does not offer a direct quote from a named executive, says "sources from... // Automotive World