General Motors to Import Chinese-Made Buick to U.S. By Late 2016
General Motors announced Thursday it will import a Buick crossover from China to the United States by the end of 2016, much to the UAW’s disappointment.
According to the Detroit Free Press, the crossover in question, the Envision, is currently produced at a facility in the Shandong province. The Buick brand itself is doing well for itself in China, where it’s GM’s best-known brand, and in the U.S., where the brand is experiencing rapid growth as of late. In both instances, the main draw for Buick is its small and medium crossovers and SUVs.
GM’s move to bring the Envision over from China has at least one UAW leader in a tizzy.
GM department vice president Cindy Estrada stated in August the “tone-deaf speculation” regarding the crossover’s arrival left union members disappointed in light of the “sacrifices made by U.S. taxpayers and the U.S. workforce” to help the automaker rise back to the top. UAW spokesman Brian Rothenberg says the union still stands behind Estrada’s statement in light of Thursday’s announcement.
The Chinese-made Envision would join the Enclave — assembled in Lansing, Mich. — and the multi-national Encore subcompact crossover (built and imported from South Korea, Mexico and Spain).
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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Very soon, no Buick will be made in North America. In addition to the model mentioned in the article, remember that Michigan is losing the Verano which will be made in China, and Ontario Canada is losing the Regal as well, likely to be made in Europe but that could be temporary.
Does anyone under 40 care where their new, fully warrantied car is made enough for it to be a determining factor in buying?
With cars from South Korea, Mexico, Spain and China, Buick is the new Geo.
It's time to stand up against General Motors. Let's band together and Boycott this Buick (Envision) that GM plans to build in China and import for sale in America. I won't sell it and hope you refuse to buy it, until it's made here in the USA! I'm calling on all my Buick Dealer friends to refuse to even stock Envisions. We don't need protectionist laws, we just need to exercise common sense and demand US production. GM sells less than 3,000 total units per year in Japan because their people are fiercely loyal. Now it's our turn to show the world that we Americans have had enough. Spread the word to your friends and family, post on Facebook, comment on articles, etc... We can do this thing!