Buick calls creative pitch for Excelle GT and Excelle XT

Lowe China has confirmed it was invited to the pitch, but decided not join and to concentrate on its existing work for Buick. Lowe said that following its contribution to the Buick Encore SUV launch last October, the agency had won work on Excelle in Q4.

A source close to Buick told Campaign Asia-Pacific that Buick products have improved, especially as the carmaker is now sharing German car brand Opel’s technology and knowledge.

"The client would prefer to work with two or three agency partners at this stage, it’s healthier, especially when they see they have more business," the source added.

Meanwhile another source, who did not wish to be named, told Campaign that Publicis had won some business in the last quarter from Buick, but that the team involved was now setting up separately under a new name.

As reported in earlier this month, Shanghai General Motors has decided not to extend its contract with Bates, which has been working on Buick accounts for 12 years in China. Meanwhile, Bates China has integrated Bates Shanghai with MeThinks, a local agency that Bates acquired in 2007. Bates MeThinks Group has been invited to join all of its Buick's pitches in 2013.