Buick prepping new small sedans for U.S. and Chinese markets

General Motors’ sales in North America may have tanked but the carmaker’s performance in other regions, especially emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, South America, India and China, is booming. Of all the new markets, the one with the most potential is proving to be China. It’s now the single biggest market for Buick and local design teams are now responsible for a range of new models that will even be sold in the U.S.

Confirmed for production will be a new midsized sedan based on the recently revealed Invicta Concept (pictured). Expected to replace the current LaCrosse, the FWD sedan will be sold in both the U.S. and China concurrently. You can see spy shots of the car in our previous story by clicking here.

A second, smaller sedan is in also contention. Due for the 2012 model year in China, GM is considering bringing the car to North America as well, reports Automotive News. The car will be based on the FWD Delta platform and could potentially be produced in both countries.

The range-topping Buick Lucerne was scheduled to be redesigned for the 2011 model year, but due to several issues with the car's economy and efficiency it will have to make do with minimal updates until it’s dropped from GM’s lineup – likely to be when it fails to comply with Federal fuel economy regulations.

Another model that has been scrapped is the production version of the stunning Riviera concept. The decision to cease development was made due to financial limitations. The Buick Enclave, meanwhile, will soldier on unchanged for several years at least and is expected to pick up a two-mode hybrid drive option around 2011 along with the rest of the Lambda range of vehicles.