General Motors has been under fire recently by the United Auto Workers union after rumored plans to import the 2016 Buick Envision from China to the U.S. market surfaced. Following that, suppliers then reportedly leaked plans for nearly all Buick vehicles to be built in China or Europe.
According to sources, the two Buick vehicles to remain stateside will be the 2017 LaCrosse and Enclave crossover. The rest of Buick’s lineup, Encore, Verano, Regal and the incoming Cascada, would be moved out of the United States. Though, we already knew the 2016 Buick Cascada would be imported from Europe regardless.
With this news, we want to ask you: do you care where GM builds its vehicles?
Judging by conversation, it’s a hot issue. As a corporation, GM has a duty to maximize shareholder value but, it can come at a cost. Cheap labor and minimal tariffs may create greener pastures for Buick vehicles, especially considering three times as many Buick are purchased in China than the United States. The cost may be losing jobs at the facilities where those vehicles are currently made.
Though, it may not be complete doom and gloom. GM has just finished up investing $5.4 billion in U.S. manufacturing for its facilities, gearing up for future product to be made domestically, including one all-new vehicle program.
So, we ask you, does a Chinese-stamped GM product not sit well with you? Or, is it modern globalization having its way? Vote in our poll and, please, talk to us in the comments below.
Comments
Yes it does matter. Here is a country that would screw us over in a heart beat, and for that matter have been economically for a long time. When GM becomes like Wal-Mart and Target, I leave them!
Absolutely matters. Building domestically creates good paying jobs at the assembly plant plus jobs at Tier 1,2 and 3 suppliers to that plant.
I heard once that each assembly plant job represents an additional 10 supplier jobs to feed the plant.
Even if that is close to being right that would be a huge economic loss if GM decided to move plants offshore and it would have significant ripple effects throughout our economy.
All I’ve ever owned my entire life are cadillacs. I know parts come from everywhere theses days. But it seems they are moving all production to the states.. if they were to reverse that trend like make them in china and sell them here? I think I would stop buying..
For us it’s anywhere BUT China. Not because it’s quality are not up to par, but also the history behind where I’m from (Taiwan) and China.
I’ve thought long and hard about this. And my answer is —
— yes.
China is a Communist super power and wages are cheap , human rights pathetic , an expansion minded Navy that continues to try to control international waters and affect shipping . We fought the Korean war and many were killed fighting the Chinese , while Japan and South Korea are now democratic , friendly nations , and fair traders . Some cheap household goods are not produced elsewhere , only in China , However , we have lots of choices in automobiles , I choose to buy North American made products….own a Chevy Van and a 2002 Buick Regal LS , excellent vehicles both !!
Did GM learn nothing from the Holden mess about the importance of perception and PR?
I like GM because it builds so much product here. I accept free trade that is also fair trade meaning NO CHINA as they manipulate currency, tariff Made in USA vehicles, polute the environment, require joint ventures, abuse workers rights while under paying, threaten neighbors, and have war plans drawn up for war with the US.
I’m fine trading with developed nations where worker’s rights are protected.
Ford may yet become America’s top automaker.
There are two prime factors here.
Are Americans no so self absorbed to take the time to even notice and two will they be willing to pay more for a vehicle?
These two things are what really need to change. Everyone wants to complain about China but they still shop price and most times American made products lose. Until this changes this will always be a problem.
On the other hand the Buick new I suspect is just them setting the grounds for bargaining with the UAW and CAW over new products. Generally it is easy to build higher priced cars here such as a Buick but lower volume and smaller cars that are very critical on price they will often look outside America and Canada.
I really do not see much moving over to China. On the other hand much of Buick can really come form Europe as Buick has already build a number of cars like the Regal and the coming Convertible in Germany. Opel needs volume in their plants and Euro production can be done at this price point.
Also we have Oshawa sitting waiting for new product new. The CAW has not been much at working with GM as the UAW of late so this too could be leverage to broker a deal with them.
While GM has fixed many things they still have to deal with the UAW unlike many of the import companies that have established many plants here. Even if the foreign companies have a union they are not of the older two and three tier pay plants like GM has.
GM also knows China’s economy is very volatile right now and putting too much over there could be a big risk too. Factor in too that the profits from China are not all that great either as they do not whole own the plants and companies in China. I believe they only own 49% because by law they can not be a majority partner.
Also anything built there they have to share the intellectual properties on anything in used in the cars. This is why the Volt was never built or sent there. GM will not give up their property on this car and other products. This would prevent many hybrids from being built there with Volt Technology.
I do not want to see imported Chinese Buicks in any way but I also do not think this headline tells all the story either. There is much more in play here and we will just have to watch how it works out. I suspect Germany and Canada are strong in Buicks future.
People don’t comparative price shop premium /luxury like Buick. The goal of importing these vehicles may pertain to the low volume in which they sell.
I also think GM Korea will cease manufacturing due to high labor costs As for Oshawa, auto manufacturing in Canada is going the way of the dodo with FCA, too, considering a run for the border.
It seems like GM wants to transform China into a manufacturing hub along with GM NA and GME. As Ford eyes Mexico for its free trade agreements, GM is also considering its own pivot East.
You will be surprised at where this will go.
First off no one has said these cars will come from China. Out of country also includes much closer options of Mexico and Canada that are not going the way of the do do unless GM just allocated 12 Million to move the Nox line that will also base the Buick Envision model.
Bloomberg just did a story that backed up what I have speculated as this is all about leverage with the Unions.
Finally with the market crashing with the fear of the failure of China now a move even if planned may have ended today before it even got started.
You have to look at the big picture.
We should give GM shoppers more credit. During the bankruptcy, and even before that when there really were quality problems, real America bought GM because of it’s American roots.
Non coastal USA cares, and helps GM maintain the top domestic slot.
GM better be very careful about maintaining too much capacity. GME looses money today because of Opel heading east to Poland and S Korea to exploit cheap labor while allowing older plants to become under utilized. Sort term profits lead to long term losses.
GM vehicles as in their GMC namesake? Or are you talking about other divisions as well?. As long as the Chevrolet Motor Division of GM keeps it’s American sold vehicles built in America I think that’s the most important. With the most domestic content at that. For that matter the Cadillac Motor Division also. Those 2 should be top priority. I see Buick as more of a Chinese/European Motor Division of GM myself. Buick has always had ties to Opel as far back as I remember. Buick dealerships imported small Opel’s for years back in the 60’s/70’s. And seeing how they are so big in China, that’s how I see it playing out. GMC is just GM so… I don’t really see it as a Division. It just is. Make them wherever.
Buicks assembled in Greece. Solved.
Indeed.
John what incentives in a dying economy will Greece be able to offer. I do not believe the Germans will float them much more money to survive.
Take a good look at China as California is headed the same way.
You really seem to hate California and other blue states, why? I’m really curious.
Excluding Texas, the blue States contribute the most to our economy. Do you really think California is socialistic? If so, you’d hate Canada.
I wouldn’t buy a Silverado with a “3” VIN tag (Mexico) and I certainly wouldn’t buy any GM made in China. I did buy an Avalanche about 9 years ago but didn’t realize at the time they were made in Mexico.
Buick sales aren’t exactly overwhelming to begin with and if they imported them that might just end the brand completely.
Since the only reason Buick is still alive is because of China I’m fine with it. Other GM vehicles though like any of the trucks have got to be made here.
Buick vehicles are premium priced, already getting fat margins.
I’m okay with importing Spark, as GM does, because it’s a bargain vehicle.
If Buick is going to pay Chinese worker’s 5.00 an hour, I want a 15,000 Verano. With slave-like labor, Buick can be a value brand priced below Kia.
how about reliability? do you think a buick made in usa or this is better quality and reliability then a buick made in germany or china?,I read years ago, chevrolet cruze made in korea for europe was better quality and reliability then chevrolet cruze made in usa. U can have the same car one built in usa one other built in Korea,china,europe…. with different supplier
I say build everything for our market here. And if gm needs a Buick plant in China for Buick then so be it. As long as I’m getting my gm from the USA then I’m fine with it.
It matters. I’m sure others have said it already, but it was U.S. tax payers (including GM workers) who bailed the water from the General’s sinking ship; I don’t know how much the Chinese government put up.
If the UAW can build the Buicks with the Chinese workpay, then build them here. As long as the UAW is negociating to reduce their wages, and GM can reduce the cost per vehicle to compete with the other imports, , then the Buicks can be assempled inNorth America. The only permanent solution is to aply a tariff on any impoted vehicle.
Proud UAW Local 977 GM Marion member here. I say lets reduce YOUR wages! We haven’t had a raise in 10 years, and in fact, have taken cuts. And your children, if you have any, will be living in poverty that way too. If you want to live the way they do in china, GO THERE!
Mark the other plants like Lordstown Wentzville etc have made competitive bids and have been rewarded with strong solid work and even at times over time.
The fact is many of the plants and older people were paid much more than what can be competitive anymore. I had one guy who companied he had a hard time making it on $86K a year after his cuts. I only wish I could suffer as he.
The fact is wages are not going to be crazy for assembly work anymore. If you do not like it get a skill trade and make more money. Right now the way our market has shifted a skill trade is a good way to go. My Father in law was in six figures welding.
I had past jobs that were declining and I got my education and made my moves. I had to take a step back to take a step forward.
The money is out there but you have to understand you are not going to make big money putting a bolt in a fender anymore. You will make a decent wage but nothing like the top tier people used to make.
The Unions are generally given a chance to bid for work and those who have been competitive have done well. Those older stubborn unions have suffered.
Like it or not GM and the UAW are joined at the hip and if GM is unprofitable the Union will fail. Parasites can only live if the host lives. Kill the host the parasite dies too.
You compare American workers to parasites? You sound jealous, as you said “I only wish I had to suffer as he”.
VW pays it’s German workers BETTER, is blocked by Bavaria State from importing, and is the world’s most valuable automaker. There is nothing greedy about demanding fair pay. Next you’ll claim that the rich trickle down wealth when in reality it’s just them pissing on the peons.
I can understand the building of a Chevrolet Spark in a low pay allied country but Buick is Premium, already earns a very fat margin. Luxu
I have been a Buick owner for approximately 30 years, I presently drive a 2013 Enclave and I’m due to get a new car next year. I wanted to try the Envision, but I will NOT if it or any other Buick if it is built in China. We need to employ people in the US. I try not to buy anything made in China as the quality is poor. I worked 20 years for GM and my husband worked 33 years and I want to support the company, but I will not purchase a car manufactured in China
I have clung to an increasingly tenuous premise that my family’s GMCs, Chevrolets, Buicks and Cadillacs are from a “domestic” nameplate and, therefore, are not imported. This is in spite of knowledge that the SRX was made in Mexico and the GMC in Canada (I think, but I don’t consider Canadian as “imported”). I have tried to stay loyal to U.S. car companies, GM in particular. I have sworn against buying Toyotas and Nissans, knowing full well many of them are made in the U.S., because they are “foreign.” I am very interested in the Buick Envision to replace the SRX (maybe) but not if it’s Chinese made. I have probably arrived at the point where I will only purchase a new vehicle made substantially in the U.S. I hope GM realizes “Made in the U.S.A.” is a small, new snowball starting to pick up speed…again (mercifully!).
It does matter. I feel better when I support domestic. It actually is one of many selling features. Take that away, remove the bulk of mfg to China and it is a lot easier to look elsewhere. I know GM needs to utilize its China investment, however, they need a strong NA presence or I’m out.