Community Question: Does It Matter To You Where The 2016 Buick Envision Is Built?
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We’ll begin with a precursor: we don’t know how to run a major automaker like General Motors, and we’re not stating if the decision to import the 2016 Buick Envision from China is either a good or bad one.
Now, we are here to ask if you care where the 2016 Buick Envision is made today in our latest GMA Community Question.
The news arrived with the confirmation of the 2016 Envision coming to North America next year and, buried within the specifications, was a country of origin reading “China.”
The UAW has already stated its displeasure with a Chinese-built Buick Envision, calling on GM to “build where it sells.” Though, it seems its calls fell on deaf ears. However, GM said it plans to build the Envision where it plans to sell “75 to 80 percent” of them. That shows a low forecasted demand, at least initially, for the upcoming premium crossover.
On the other end, Bob Lutz has weighed in on the situation, and said a Chinese built Buick Envision creates a two-way street for the automaker. In fact, China imports more GM vehicles than it would export with the 2016 Envision. He also stated the build quality is top notch from major automakers such as GM, even though it is assembled in China.
So, we turn it to you now. Does it matter that the 2016 Envision will be built in China? Or should GM continue to build wherever makes the most sense? Let us know in our poll, and talk to us in the comment section below.
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How long will it take before American businesses realize that building/producing products in China is a grave mistake?
Therein lies the problem… for who? Companies are obligated to their shareholders, not to the American people. What may be a grave mistake for one, isn’t necessarily a grave mistake for the other.
If you want to make it viable to build something in this country, you need a permissive government that supports making alongside innovating. Today’s federal government promotes the latter and punishes the former… with hyper-regulation, and a broken corporate tax system. A tax system that actually favors a company becoming foreign owned and/or run.
And that’s why I build software for a living today.
I hate to see this happen but I also have to take all the information and situations going on globally into considerations. Corporations and Countries can not isolate themselves anymore.
America can compete again but many people here have to learn how to compete again.
It is not just China. You can cut them off and then India or Indonesian or Korea or Canada or Brazil come into play. there are many players out there now and they are supplying the automotive industry.
We have had it easy for decades but today America needs to relearn to compete or become just another specialty producer like England or Service based industry country which has slow growth.
We need to stop pointing the finger at China or even the MFG’s and start pointing the finger at the consumers and workers of this country.
Every MFG would build all their things here but no one will pay the price. You figure it out from there.
Who ever can make products and sell them at a competitive price is going to win. While labor is higher here we can still do it with technology and reasonable expectations on all sides along with a better work ethic with not all but many.
If I could get people just to show up to work every day it would be a good start. I loose too many workers who miss too much time to stay home to play video games.
“Every MFG would build all their things here but no one will pay the price.”
Wrong. Start at the beginning of our trade debacle, the end of WWII and the rebuilding of Japan. Big business and American $$ rebuilding Japans manufacturing infrastructure saw a cheap labor market then and exploited it for their pockets. During the late 40’s, 50’s, 60’s virtually everything was made here and the cheapest items monetarily and quality wise were made in Japan. I remember this as a kid in the 60’s. It’s all about the exploit of labor and manufacturing cost at the cost of the American consumer as we were the only one’s who bought this imported crap. Japanese quality improved as did it’s lower classes so big $/business moved on to Taiwan and then Korea and then the rest of Asia and Indonesia. If manufacturing returned, it would return jobs and disposable income to afford our own goods as it used to be in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. NAFTA has screwed us, the TPP will put the nail in the coffin, and what is sad is most Americans don’t know where our economic strength came from in the past, how we came to import most of our/their $hit from the rest of the world, or actually care. Trade is good but not when your the sucker with the trade deficit!
Basically you’re saying that the golden days for American workers are over (unions) and if American workers weren’t so unfocused (video games) and lazy we could once again build our own stuff.
What you’re leaving out of this scenario is what I like to call the House Monopoly Rules. This has nothing to do with the business term ‘monopoly’ but solely with the board game of Monopoly as people play it in their homes.
Let’s suppose each Christmas you went to your bosses house. To play the game Monopoly. Your boss had his own house rule, which is — you must play with REAL money. But to be nice the money was all his initially. That is — he gave you his money to play with.
So the game’s about to start. You notice that he’s taken a bunch of his money and given it to each player. Including himself. Equally. But he has a bank of additional money. A really BIG bank of cash.
So while you all try your best to win, you see him frequently reaching into his bank whenever he makes a fiscal mistake. Or you get lucky. And you quickly realize he buys ANY PROPERTY he lands on while you have to pick and choose.
A few hours later and your boss has won the game. He invites you to play another round and you’re like, hey, but you’ve starting with an unfair advantage. “No matter how well I play I always kinda lose. Because I don’t start off with your big bank.” And your boss says, “It sucks being you.”
That is America right now. There are a handful of bosses running all the games. You can put your video games down and work harder than anyone has ever worked… but at the end of the game… YOU WILL LIKELY LOSE.
It’s rigged. So stop blaming workers.
Except nothing is stopping you from becoming the boss or your own boss and making as much money as you can. Stop blaming others for your misfortune and have some accountability. Working your ass off punching a time clock has never been about getting rich, but living a little bit of the good life, comfortably in the middle class.
That’s what I do and I make decent money (not outstanding) living in my nice average house. I realize I don’t have the skills or financial know how to be a rich decision maker, but I’m happy with what I have and I sure as hell don’t blame other people for what I can’t afford.
Why is it such a big deal where it is built? How many other commodities do we purchase on a daily basis that have a country of origin outside of NA? We are a global economy, this is the way the new world works. Get over it union boys and girls.
Maybe because it’s just the beginning of something bigger?
“Regal, Verano, Encore to shift production to China when Envision import starts.”
So by next year, 2/3ds of Buicks will be of Chinese origin. Hard to imagine other makes won’t follow Buick’s lead.
Yes, this matters! Buying Chinese is very different than purchasing a German or Mexican made auto. We should only be buying from allies who have a respect for intellectual property and labor safety.
China–it’s military, media, politicians–openly speak of future war with the US. China is upgrading it military to combat the influence of the US and allies. China is trying to steal the entire S China Sea. It occupies Tibet. It hacks the US. China aids N Korea.
China tariffs US made autos and requires State Capitalist JVs.
China isn’t our friend. Let’s not contribute to their wealth. Buying Chinese is very different that purchasing a Mexican or German made auto.
Stephen you hit all of my points so I will just say I totally agree.
If we all care about where it builds, then what can we say about the Encore?
I wouldn’t buy the Chevy Trax/Buick Encore either.
Encore is built by a close ally, South Korea. I’ve got no problem with this.
I heard something about Spain being a second producer but am unsure. They, too, are allied.
“According to Reuters, the next-generation Enclave crossover and LaCrosse sedan will be the only two Buick models still made in the U.S. after 2016.”
That would mean that Regal, Verano, Encore and Envision will be Chinese-made. Cascada will be made in Poland because who would know more about convertibles than the Polish?
So, to your point, it would appear that Encore moves to China. And GM’s Chinese operations are 51% owned by the Chinese government, with 49% owned by GM. If that’s the case, China will make a majority of the profits, create more jobs, and if push comes to shove, the Chinese own a 51-49% majority vote.
Read more: http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/report-all-two-buick-models-will-be-built-china-after-2016#ixzz3tliWoKou
I don’t mind that its made in China, I don’t like that its being exported here frankly, but I can understand why it is…
While it may be the first complete car GM has imported from China, its not a totally new endeavor for GM, anyone here remember that the first generation Equinox had a completely Chinese made 3.4 V6 for many years?
If this is, as some have said a stopgap until all the mid-ish sized crossovers get on the same page, i.e. the next gen shared platform Equinox & Terrain etc all, similar to the original German imported Regals until Oshawa was building enough of them, then I’m ok with it.
Though GM, being the PR inept company that many times it is, it will be interesting as to how it will handle any potential backlash or negative press, because you can bet dollars for donuts that Motor Rooter and Accord & 3Series monthly, plus any of the other import bias auto media outlets will be fighting over who can yell “THIS BUICK IS MADE IN CHINA….ITS MADE IN CHINA PEOPLE!!!!!” as loud as they possibly can.
So it will be interesting to see where it goes from there, could the name be tainted with “Chinese Car” even after production comes to the US/Can/Mex?
I think that they should bring this vehicle to the US, built wherever they see fit. But.. if it proves to be a big seller, then they should think about assembling it here in the USA, purely for economic purposes, as they see fit. Of course, they should realize that they might sell more if it were made here, as I believe that many folks will look at the Made in China label somewhat skeptically, and others, of course, will look at it thru a patriotic lens. BUt , first, get the vehicle here, and judge as to how to proceed. That’s what Id do if I were running GM.
Yes, it matters! I was considering an Envision to replace my existing compact SUV until I read this announcement. Mexico, Canada, or even Europe might be OK, but not China. Having worked in manufacturing, I have seen first hand Chinese quality and it is not pretty. Their supplier network is weak and their standards are low. Maybe GM can control this (maybe) but that still doesn’t address that China is a communist country and does not play fairly in international trade. This appears to be a nice vehicle. Come on GM, build it in North America. I will now wait for the 2017 Equinox.
I’ve owned several Buicks and a whole lot of Chevrolets. It will be a cold day in hell before I purchase a vehicle made in China. I will buy the brand that is North American, or European made, but not China!!
GOODBY GM LOOKING AT FORD NOT MADE IN CHINA
Yes and No . Yes it matters a great deal and Stephen has it summed up perfectly . +1
And No it doesn’t matter to me because I don’t plan on buying one !
If all about 200 countries on this planet would apply the “build were it sells” principle, then there would be no more any automobile industry in this world.
Importing the 2017 Buick Envision essentially saves General Motors $1-2.2 Billion in tooling cost for retooling a factory, money that that General Motors would never recoup especially as the Envision is a niche market car meaning sales at best will be about 40-60,000 units. It would be different if the Envision had sales similar to Toyota’s Camry which sells 30,000 units per month and then building or retooling a factory would make sense.
Although I respect all opinions stated here, I wonder how many people who reacted against this import actually have a smart phone… built in China?
Average tooling for a new car can run into several millions of dollars. What makes most sense? Option 1: export 5 to 10% of local Chinese-made cars to the US to expand the lineup and offer more choices to the US-consumer and make money on every car sold (and let the profit flow back into the US-economy), or Option 2: build a new factory-line in the US, invest millions of dollars and actually loose money because the current market for Buicks in the US is unfortunately not as big as it once was? Who would benefit from a money-loosing product, which would then not be sold very long? Not the consumer, not the company, not the shareholder and not the laid-off factory worker.
From a sound management perspective, option 1 is better, without denying that it’s probably not the best PR move the company could have made. But I’m convinced the company did its calculations right.
There’s also another side to this: would GM not be in a stronger position to do business in China – their biggest market in sales volume – if they could also position themselves as a company both importing and exporting products into/from China? Wouldn’t we all prefer and benefit from a stronger GM which does money-generating business?
This being said, I cannot deny that I associate US-built a lot more with excellent build-quality than I do with China-built… And I also wonder how the resale value will hold up, as consumers’ reactions have been very fierce, not just on this site but on all media who brought this import-news.
The simple facts are the only reason Buick is still alive is because of China and that is where the vast majority of sales for this car will be as well. So there is no reason why GM shouldn’t build them all in China and the 30,000 they sell a year here can be shipped over without much trouble as they sell 130,000 over there. (numbers are made up of course but probably not far off)
Yes, it absolutely matters. Looking beyond the toys with lead paint, and the dog food recalls, this vehicle will be manufactured in a GM plant and presumably up to US standards or they would not be building them there for consumption here. However, I have a HUGE problem with the tariffs that China places on cars imported into their country, which forces manufacturers to produce vehicles in China in order to be competitive. That’s the whole reason that GM built factories over there in the first place. I don’t like that China doesn’t play by the same rules when it comes to this, and I fear that this is the beginning of the flood gates opening. I’m seriously questioning if I want to buy any GM vehicle again over this, even a one made in the US. It’s a give and take, and if they aren’t willing to give, why are we?
I honestly don’t care anymore!!! There’s practically no avoiding the fact that virtually every major U.S.-based company outsources manufacturing from various nations across the globe! That’s the nature of every business: find the cheapest way possible to produce and manufacture goods! The U.S. was once the leading nation in exporting goods and services, we’ve now flipped almost completely 180 to a nation of imports! We don’t produce as many hard goods and consumables as we once did! We’re more about the service industry than anything else; people would rather work for retail stores, hotels, spas, etc,! And the cost of employing the U.S. worker is becoming too much to bear for most major companies these days! So they’re practically forced to outsource from markets that’ll manufacture faster and cheaper; regardless of a nation’s particular circumstances!
Besides! Who am I to say the decision to import the Envision from China is wrong when I personally favor import brands myself?! At least the ones from Europe and Japan! Call me biased, but I’m more in favor of buying cars from Germany, Japan, and maybe even S. Korea than I am from China! German and Japanese produced cars have perhaps the strongest reputation of innovation, safety and reliability. Which is why brands like Toyota, Honda, Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, etc, are the leading brands in their respective segments today! U.S.-based brands are finally on the rise now, and much of their success can be attributed to their global architecture development and outsourcing of production and manufacturing! The Buick brand is a good example: most of its lineup consists of cars imported from across the pond!
So with all this being said, there’s the issue of more jobs being transported overseas! And with GM making this decision, it’s even more “touchy”: mainly due to this company’s government bailout, which is still a major issue against them! All-in-all, I’m neither for this decision or against it! A company’s gotta do what they gotta do! But I will say one thing, you won’t see me behind the wheel of this Buick!
And that’s all I’m gonna say about this!!! I’m supposed to keep my mouth shut about it! 😉
I understand why GM did it, and will not slam them for it, but it has crossed this vehicle off my list (and I’m buying a small to mid-sized crossover in two years, so it would have been on it). I try to buy cars that were assembled in the U.S., and failing that, North America.
For example, I live in Michigan and I am happy that my purchasing a GMC Acadia provided in a very, very, very small way for the workers in mid-Michigan. Beyond that, building a vehicle an ocean away and then shipping it here doesn’t make sense from an environmental standpoint, which matters to me. Also, the US steel industry has been getting crushed by China, and buying a Chinese-made vehicle won’t help that.
I’ve heard others mention that perhaps this vehicle will move over to this continent once its platform mates start to be produced here. If that’s the case, GM should announce that sooner than later.
Either GM waits 2 years for the Equinox/Terrain replacements to be ready or bring the Envision now while there is lag in capacity in China and under capacity in N.A. Simply put, make money now from a Chinese car or wait 2 years and lose out on profits and sector market share.
Too many Americans sold out to the enemy toyota