The first Buick sedan fueled with compressed natural gas and lead-free gasoline has been successfully developed in Shanghai.

Experts say the new model emits less exhaust than ordinary gasoline-fueled cars while maintaining the first-class quality of the Buick sedan.

The model was jointly developed by Shanghai General Motors, General Motors, and IMPCO of the United States.

Chen Hong, president of Shanghai General Motors, said the new model will go on the market when this fuel is available at gas stations in China.

Great attention has been paid to the development of automobiles fueled with substitutes for leaded gasoline worldwide in recent years, Chen said, and the new Buick model has been designed in accordance with China's increasing efforts to protect the environment.

Shanghai General Motors was set up in 1997 by the Shanghai Automobile Industry Corporation and General Motors at a cost of 1. 52 billion US dollars, and now has three Buick models in production. (Xinhua)