Community Question: Is Buying A GM Vehicle Built Outside Of The US A Non-Starter?

It’s a question the staff at GM Authority has had for some time, and we open the floor for (constructive) discussion. Is purchasing a GM vehicle built outside of the United States a non-starter? That’s today’s community question, readers.

GM builds a vast majority of its vehicles here in the U.S., though we’d like to focus on the models that hail from the country’s NAFTA partners (Canada and Mexico) and China.

Specifically, GM imports the following vehicles from Mexico to the U.S.:

 

From Canada, GM imports the following:

Finally, two vehicles hail from China: the Buick Envision and Cadillac CT6 Plug-In. The Buick Regal family ships from Germany as well.

With the products on full display for all to see, we’re curious if certain models are immediately crossed off a shopping list due to their country of origin. Much controversy has surrounded GM and producing vehicles in both Mexico and China, though we often don’t hear distaste for Canadian production.

CT6 production at Jinqiao-Shanghai China factory

GM has previously backed up the decision to build cars like the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback, Buick Envision and Cadillac CT6 Plug-In outside of the U.S. with a market explanation. The models sell in relatively low numbers and the investment to retool production facilities outweighs the profitability, GM explained in the past. The contention over building these vehicles outside of the U.S. also comes as sedan sales flounder, which leaves manufacturing plants like the Lordstown, Ohio, facility on thin ice.

But, it comes back to an age-old question: is a Honda Civic assembled in Ohio, for example, more American than a Chevrolet Cruze hatchback built in Mexico? Keep it civil, vote in our poll and talk to us down below.

 

Former GM Authority staff writer.

Sean Szymkowski

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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  • I won't do China, too many questionable factors (human rights, pollution, IP thefts..), Plus the Mexico/Canada are proven allies of the US. Can't trust a nation with ICBMs pointing at you, ask Russia..

    • The most manipulated poll I have ever seen in my life.

      Why not "Buy American when possible to support American jobs, communities, research and development" to the poll?

      This country has been drained of high quality jobs for all for far too many years by China, Mexico and even Canada. Time to take care of our and fix the issues in this country first. Let others fix there own issues. Sorry, Sean, your desperate attempts to push your left-wing dying globalist Utopia are, well, desperate and devoid of fact.

      • You're right. This really is the end of the world. This poll is worse than any hurricane or cancer. And Sean? Nail him to that crucifix. Oh... the humanity.

    • Guess what? Computer or Smartphone you used to type this comment is made in China. But whatever makes you sleep at night.

  • I could care less where its built. China, Cuba, Russia, the Moon.

    I'm going to buy the BEST CAR at the BEST VALUE every time.

    • So you could care less about the neighbor who might be making money to spend where you work? Careless... that about sums it up.

      • Even if they have horrible human rights records and work conditions (China) or break "free trade" rules by taxing American goods while expecting no taxes on their products coming into the U.S. thus creating an unlevel playing field (Canada)?

        You are exactly the type of person why there are so many problems in the U.S. right now that our President is working overtime trying to fix.

        • it didn't bother trump when he was using chinese steel in his buildings.

          and don't forget the trump related schlock produced in china.

          let's see you square that hole.

          • Obviously Steve you don't understand why Trump was using steel made in China. He's a business man so he needs to compete with others. Before he became President the duties and tariffs under previous Presidents were too low on China goods. As a business man he had no choice but to use Chinese steel because of the cost. As President he was able to fix the tariffs and duties to make American steel more competitive with Chinese steel. This will benefit American workers going forward.

    • If we are being honest, the Envision is kind of a meh product. It being manufactured in the US won’t help it much unless the design is improved.

      The power train seems good, but the styling and quality is just nothing special.

  • I will not support auto workers (or any others) in another country unless there is no alternative. To me Made In The USA means something, especially Automobiles, that goes deeper than just cost of a product. It means my neighbor has a job and makes money to spend so other neighbors have jobs. Car manufactures have tried to skirt labor costs for decades only find those other countries eventually seeking higher wages. I'll pay more for American Made because the money comes back to me. Look in any school parking lot and see a plethora of non US brand vehicles purchased by Union members with money paid to them by tax payers. People who don't understand the economics of this are fools.

  • It depends on other factors. Canada is our neighbor and ally and has a similar culture and governmental structure. I have no issue with a Canadian-made vehicle. Mexico likewise is also an ally and neighbor although I'd be less likely to purchase a Mexican-made product than Canadian. Either nation though doesn't pose a threat to America's leadership role in the world and our attendant values. China, however, is a Communist nation intent on world domination and uses a variety of schemes to steal technology and force technological transfers in an effort to achieve their domination goals. Not only do they not play fair by manipulating their currency and enacting restrictive tariffs among other things, China intends to overtake the United States as the most powerful nation and if they do, their culture and values spread around the world would result in a very different earth. Thus, I would not purchase a Chinese vehicle and I personally try very hard not to purchase any products from China.

    • Your IP shows you are from Canada so of course you "don't have any problem with Canada.". Lol

      Canada is not our ally on many issues and routinely breaks the free trade agreement with us to tax or block our products while we accept their products freely. I have a huge issue with that and so do the majority of Americans. NAFTA IS DEAD and thank God it is. Time for Canada to abide by the rules of free and fair trade.

      Mexico already admitted they were wrong and gave into Pres. Trump. Canada can't hide behind the fake smiles and little dog barking anymore.

      • No,

        Interesting comment. However you supposedly accessed my IP location, your information is dead wrong. Where I sit right now, I am about 1,000 miles south of the Canadian border and I'm an eighth-generation American citizen.

        We live in a global economy and in many ways, that's not a bad thing. The fact that I can purchase a Ferrari or a Rolls Royce instead of inferior American products is a very good thing. However, I am selective with whose products I buy. Nations that are allies with the United States that have a similar standard of living like Italy and the United Kingdom (or Canada) are okay to buy from as I see it. China is the absolute worst country to buy from because of their intention to overtake the United States. As I see it, every US dollar I give to them only furthers their cause and weakens America. I don't worry about Canada or the UK or Italy ever becoming the preeminent world power and dictating to the rest of us. I do fear the day that China might have that kind of power.

      • "Your IP shows you are from Canada so of course you “don’t have any problem with Canada.”. Lol"

        And your 133T NetW0rK HaXinG skills are about as believable as Ronald McDonald.

        Do you even know what a dynamic IP is? Do you know the difference between IPV4 and IPV6? Because I don't think you do, and all of your petty efforts to scare people into submission by falsely claiming you can identify their IP address is a giant lie.

        Besides, anyone can change an IP address from one device to anyone, and therefore your 'hacking skills' would still be just as useless. What you want, but clearly don't have, is someone's mac addresses.

        You're a total puss.

        I mean I don't even care about how you voted either. You just plain suck at convincing anyone that you have any ability to determine someone's IP.

  • P.S. The Buick Envision pictured looks so dated and sad. The new American-made Enclave is a much better value and you are supporting Americans, your neighbors, and the future of the country when buying it over the Chinese-made one too. Win-win.

    • My wife and I waited several years for the Envision to come out before we traded in our Terraza minivan (kids grown and moved out). However, there was something about the feel of the car (and maybe the Chinese built aspect), but was not comfortable enough to pull the trigger - result, we went with an RX350. I'm still in my Rainier and not letting go - unless the old Trailblazer platform, or something close to it is revived.

  • Unbelievable some of the comments here , how about a refresher about Canada. When 9/11 happened we welcomed American passenger's into Gander Newfoundland , gave them lodging ,food and comfort. Canadian troops served in Afghanistan right beside American military members and 158 of them made the ultimate sacrifice. We served in the Korean war together and also lost many of our troops , we were in both the First and second world wars together, there are handfuls of war cemeteries holding the remains of Canadian troops scattered throughout Europe who died fighting side by side with their American compatriots . So please save the bullshit comments about Canada not being a true partner with the USA. On a side note I have absolutely no issue buying an American built vehicle, I'm proud to support my fellow production line workers and their families.

    • Mike,

      Thank you to everyone in Canada.

      I look at it this way. After WWII, the United States ascended to status of the world's preeminent superpower and assumed a leadership role formerly held by the UK. The US taking the baton was like a parent handing off control to their child. Not much actually changed. The United States is much less intent on a kind of colonial rule from afar as our parent was but the language is the same, the laws, standards, and customs,etc. are the same as before. The world never felt a monumental shift. If the US is now the child in charge then certainly Canada is our brother or sister. Still as important to us as our parent and literally standing (geographically) shoulder-to-shoulder with us.

      The next change, if it happens, where China assumes the role the US currently holds would bring a seismic shift to the world's governance and predominant values. Everything would be different and I think different in a not-good way. If Canada were the nation poised to ascend to the throne of international leader, I wouldn't worry. To use the analogy again, it would be like the other child taking over and I'd know my way-of-life would continue on. China though worries me. They are not part of the same family. For that reason, I do all I can to not help them along whereas I gladly support Canada's economy. Thus, I'd buy a Canadian-made GM car with no reservation but I'll never buy anything GM ships in from Communist China.

  • Do we really have a choice? The next Silverado model 1500 (crew cab) is only made in Mexico unless something changed for the 2019 models. I do have to say, my son bought a 2018 Honda Civic, it is one really nice vehicle for the dollar the Buckeyes build.

    For the record I buy the vehicle first, the wife has a Nissan, me, a Silverado (Ft Wayne build)

    • You have been programmed to say the Honda is a "really nice vehicle". A Honda Civic is nothing more than a cheap, disposable vehicle. Nobody really wants to buy a small, uncomfortable, unsafe Civic, but the media has the American public hoodwinked into it being a reliable vehicle. If so, why are 5-10 yr old Civics so rare on the road, and you NEVER see any at cruise-in events for classic cars.

      Also, you think you are doing yourself a favor because they are built in Ohio, but they are not paying the state and federal taxes that American manufacturers, as they deduct Japanese "management services" from their profits. In addition, their do not pay near as well, or have the benefits that an American manufacturer pays. They also treat female employees like 2nd class citizens.

      So, from a logical standpoint, do you want a product built by underpaid workers, or by ones that are paid a decent living wage? If you say the former, then apparently, you yourself will do better work for less pay.

      I know the arguments that you are going to use, so if unfair trade deals have been so great for this country, then why have we lost pensions, sick time, and other benefits over the last 30 yrs? Not too long ago, American families got by with more disposable income with only 1 wage earner than we do today with 2. Why would anyone want to be worse off than their parents and grandparents?

      • I think I read it here that for the interim crew cabs will be built in Ft Wayne to get the new model out in time and once the Silao plant is retooled production of crew cabs will continue there.

        https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trade-nafta-autos/game-of-chicken-gm-bets-on-mexican-made-pickup-trucks-idUSKBN1F42G7

        From the Reuters article:
        “Engines for trucks made in Silao come from GM factories in Flint; Spring Hill, Tennessee; and Tonawanda, New York. U.S. factories supply fuel systems and other components. In total, GM said it has more than 5,000 employees in U.S. plants with jobs tied to production in Silao.”

        “In North America, GM’s operations are primarily in the United States. It has 4 four manufacturing plants in Mexico, and 40 in the United States.”

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