Buick Envision: A Ghost Unicorn Waiting for the Spotlight

@threeer I rented a base Verano and liked it very much. It was like GM asked Grandma and Grandpa what they'd like on their Cruze if money were no object. Grandma, you say you want seats more comfortable than your Barcalounger, and blind spot warning lights so you don't have to crane your neck? You got it. Grandpa, you say there's no substitute for cubic inches? Swell, we'll rip out that little 1.4 liter and find something more in the 2.4, 2.5 range for you. What's that, grandson, you'd like flawless mirror-black paint and plus-two wheels like a Lexus? Hey, sure, we'll let you throw on an option package for that, it'll look twice the price. Say again, Grandma? Oh indeed, we'll make sure it has a cushy ride and one-finger steering. What's that, grandson, you want self-centering and road feel in the steering too? DAMN IT, JIM, I'M AN ENGINEER, NOT A MAGICIAN!

@truecarhipsterdouche Labor unit cost per vehicle as total % of vehicle total production cost as been dropping precipitously since the late 80s. Part of this is due to dramatically higher productivity, dramatically higher use of autonomous machinery in welding/fabrication and assembly (robotics), and you fortunat3ly, part of this is the result of declining real wages in western nations in inflation adjusted terms (even Germany, renowned for strong labor unions, has seen real wage decreases in manufacturing employment as German manufacturers now outsource a greater % of their production with each speeding year to eastern European nations and Northern Africa and South Afruca). I think labor constitutes roughly 18% of a final assembled vehicle's total cost of production, at last check, at least in North America. So, given that the average total wage for Chinese labor is approx $2.85 per hour (versus $4 USD in Mexico, and $44, which equals wage + benefits in NA), the savings from cheap Chinese labor is still probably less as a % of total cost of unit produced than the savings reaped by sourcing much lower cost Chinese-produced parts (many from Chinese State Owned Enterprises that are mandated Joint Venture partners of western and Japanese and Korean manufacturers wanting to sell vehicles in China).