Buick Envision Selling Poorly In A Wildly Popular Segment
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You’ve heard it a million times by now, but crossovers are extremely popular in North America. Automakers are filling up their lineups with enough crossovers to cover every existing vehicle segment and consumers are flooding dealerships to buy them. It’s impossible for an automaker to have too many crossovers right now, but there’s one General Motors crossover that just isn’t winning over consumers.
According to The Detroit News, there is currently a 201 day supply of Buick Envision crossovers sitting on dealer lots in the United States, making it one of the ten slowest selling vehicles in America. That puts it in company with hilariously unpopular cars like the Fiat 124 Spider sports car and Fiat 500L.
It’s really anybody’s guess why Americans aren’t taking to the Envision, but The Detroit News has a hunch that it’s due to the crossover’s price. Starting at $31,995 and ranging to $43,600 for the range-topping model, the Envision has trouble justifying its price premium over other crossovers – both in the GM portfolio, and outside it. It doesn’t look particularly upmarket, does not have a premium-feeling interior and its base 2.5-liter engine just isn’t powerful or refined enough.
The Envision also carries the special distinction of being the first Chinese-built car to be sold in North America. This caused some controversy when the GM first announced it would be shipping the Envision from China to the US, although it seems unlikely that this little-known fact would have a major impact on sales.
Buick will need the Envision to start pulling its weight soon, with the automaker’s vehicle lineup set to dwindle once the LaCrosse and Cascada are discontinued this year. That will leave Buick with only the Regal and Regal TourX in its car lineup, along with the Enclave, Encore and the Envision in its crossover lineup.
The Regal TourX is another one of the slowest selling vehicles in America, with a 182-day supply currently sitting on dealer lots. While we believe the TourX has a winning recipe, high lease rates may be a primary reason for the ongoing inventory build up.
During the 2018 calendar year, U.S. Envision sales fell to 30,152 units from the 41,040 units delivered during the 2017 calendar year. That represents a decrease of 26 percent or 10,888 units – numbers that run contrary to the ongoing boom in crossover sales.
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That’s a kick in the pants.
Made in China? Not selling in the U.S.?
Hmmmm, didn’t many readers predict this but GMA bloggers were all over themselveves pushing this thing (Envision), telling us how super duper amazing it would sell?
WINNING!
Who wants to buy a car that will probably fall apart inside of 2 months like everything else that’s made in China. If GM went to China to save money what makes them think China is not going to cut corners to save on their costs? I’ll bet the price doesn’t reflect the cost savings of being made in China, all that is a way of increasing profits, ill never buy one, and I’ll bet there’s a lot of people that think the same way. They’re going to have to wait until all us older generations before they can sell there Chinese crap here.
I’ve owned my 2017 Envision for about a year now with about 8500 miles on it and it hasn’t had any significant problems. (Bought it at the end of the 2017 model year in Feb. 2018). It is certainly not “falling apart”. GM has its own quality control assurance people on site in China. They seem to be doing a great job. – – I’m 71 years old, and I have no problem with buying Chinese made products. Heck, almost everything is made in China, Vietnam, or Indonesia these days. – I’ll leave it up to Trump to deal with unfair price competition and wage disparities between USA products and others. – I think he is doing a great job of that.
I mentioned my age for the sole purpose of questioning Bob’s comment that, “They’re going to have to wait until all us older generations (die off) before they can sell there(sic) Chinese crap here.”
I suspect I’m more informed about China than you are. – (And prejudice against the elderly is not nice.)
I like my Envision. Before it, I had a Verano, which was a great car too. – – As I said, I’ll leave it to Trump to deal with the myriad of issues posed by China.
The majority of a car is from China anyway. Just bolting together prefabricated pieces from China . At one time a fridge or tv wasnt acceptable from China.
In Saginaw, MI we sell Envisions at our Dealership Garber Buick. They are widely popular in our line with more and more people coming by the droves to pick one up. I sell them often!
I wrote Marry asking her to have it built in N.A. last year, but got the usual form reply. And I won’t buy a Chinese made vehicle no matter what brand name is on it. Sorry, but I just can’t.
Yes, I agree a lot of people will object to buying a car made in china for a lot of reasons. First, who doesn’t have a personal story of buying a chinese product that falls apart prematurely and feel like its poor quality? this is the general and accurate perception of the vast majority of chinese products. Second, the only offsetting motivation to buy something made in china is if it’s cheaper. But this vehicle is not. As a matter of fact, its priced higher than a lot of the competition. Third, most traditional buyers of the Buick brand are expecting a car that better than the average car, in terms of quality and luxury. Buicks always cost more than lower line cars like a toyota or chevrolet. So if GM wants to continue to command higher pricing for the Buick brand, building models china to be sold in the US, flies in the face of that objective. So to me the made in china thing is a huge debacle. Other than that, the envision is roughly the size and type of vehicle that should be selling like hot cakes. Why doesn’t GM produce a US built version at one of the plants they are closing in the US? It would offset some of the bad press they got for closing factories and likely increase the appeal to the American consumer of this model.
I don’t know about GM. Seems that they are just in a slow downward spiral to extinction. I mean, last year, in banner year for the auto industry, they are announcing closing of 5 factories, displacing thousands of workers, due to sedans not selling well. The immediate thought that came to mind when watching those articles was how come Toyota can profitably build the camry and Honda, the Accord, in the US, but GM can’t do the same with the Malibu or other sedans? Since i gather that the actual GM sedan cars are of good quality and design, it has to be poor GM management, as well as marketing. In any event, watching the news when GM is mentioned, its akin to watching the saga of Sears. You just get the impression they are slowly sinking to extinction and will not be around in the years ahead.
Wasn’t this the whole reason GM chose to import the vehicle? I thought they needed another crossover, but couldn’t make the case for building it here because of the predicted sales numbers. It sure does seem ironic that they’re cancelling their cars because of the crossover craze, but these crossovers aren’t selling. What’s the GM Authority take on why it’s not selling? It’s generic, just like all the other crossovers, and the interior seems nice enough. Is it just price? Lack of advertising and name recognition? Continued lack of consideration for the Buick brand?
Also, didn’t the Volvo S60 already have the distinction of being the first built in China?
https://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/05/china-built-volvo-s60-sedans-heading-to-us.html
Maybe this was the first GM vehicle to be built in China? Or the first from a US manufacturer?
You actually think potential CUV buyers in the Market have any clue where the Envision or pretty much any car is being built?
Most don’t even know what kind of engine they are getting.
I think the China thing is weighing on the sales more than the author thinks.
I think that, in addition to being just “meh”.
The design looks like a minivan. the engine is small. and its not as luxurious as an XT5.
I think this car suffers from the same problem as the Lacrosse, and soon the Encore will face the same dilemma.
Its an “in-between” vehicle. The Chevy is below it, and can butt right up against the “top end”, Cadillac in terms of price and features. Why even buy a Buick these days? want Luxury? Buy a Caddy. Want cheap and practical with some luxury? Buy a Chevy. I think that Buick should stay with the niche vehicles (Cascada, Wagon), instead of being a rebadged Chevy or de-contented Caddy.
“Chinese built car “, that’s the awnser, plus you have more mid-lux and new CUVs on line then 16′. Would you get this over a RDX, UX XT4, even a Red Blazer RS?, I know I wouldn’t.
The Subaru Ascent is built in Lafayette, Indiana, for those who care more about the hand that puts it together than the one that pockets the profits.
Subaru takes less off the top anyway, $2000 “rebate” off MSRP on a product with $15k profit is an American car company game, and it shows when you look at resale values. Their CEO also barely broke $1 million in salary and bonuses combined last year (vs. Barra’s $21 million while closing US plants).
You might want to research how “American” companies routinely do not re-patriate profits back to the U.S. to avoid taxes, etc. And GM building in China and Mexico means all those jobs, support services, parts suppliers, taxes, etc. are lost to other countries.
The reality is you can’t fault a foreign company from taking it’s profit back to it’s country when it needs to…But you have to admit many of those “foreign” companies are investing huge in the U.S., creating good-paying jobs and stable communities in the process. Can’t say the same for GM who keeps trying make excuses for why it “needs” to make vehicles in China and even Mexico. It won’t work for them.
I agree with you. I was making the point Barra is getting rich while importing Buicks from China while the Subie CEO is having Outbacks, Imprezas and Ascents built in Indiana.
I understand GM is a global company, but the recent decisions can’t be explained with anything but corporate greed.
We deserved a lot better, especially after the bailout. New GM is looking old.
I wonder what would’ve needed cut in the ’00s for GM to not sell, but to max out it’s stake in Subaru? And probably hitch a (not Saab) brand to selling restyled Subies.
I hoped the awd Buicks conquested their buyers. A rock and hard place between Audi snobbery and the Subie PR cult. It hasn’t looked good for the TourX (I’ve suggested it too) or Envision.
A Buick XT4 keeping production up at that US plant would be received better here. Someone else mentioned the prudent idea Buicks should be one engine and trims with less build combos. With no V-sport, a power Buick is out anyway.
It’s great that Subaru build in Indiana and that that sways US buyers. But there’s a lot of worn struts, empty can noisy, oil consuming Japan Inc. cars out there, and nickle&dime (bust out another thousand) German cars that people should be put off by. I have to think there’s good opportunity for Buick yet.
GM strikes out again. It will be very interesting to see how the made in Mexico Blazer plays out with the same base 2.5 engine, too high prices and not made here image riding on it’s back.
Well, judging how hard GMA is trying to sell that overpriced red Chevy Blazer RS almost every darn day on here, I don’t hold out much hope for it sales-wise. Plus the all-new made-in-the-USA Ford Bronco is coming really soon.
The front clip/grill just looks very bland. They just did the updates and the sides and the rear look very sharp, but the front looks like aerodynamics won out over style.
Take a good look at the new grill/front of the 2018-2019 Enclave, and it turned out to be really sharp. GM Buick needs to transpose that exact grill design, in it’s upright position, and place it on the Envision.
Fix the look, and demand will justify building the Envision in the U.S..
Don’t think the anti-China thing was an issue when it first appeared.
Buick seemed ahead of the CUV/SUV game when it had the Enclave, added the Encore from So Korea, and a mid-size Envision, ready to import.
A three SUV lineup before Cadillac, it was a tidy, ready to go package. And it worked for awhile, but there’s so much competition out there now – internally and externally.
Not sure if it’s anti-China, or there are just so many other options – better looking, more for the money…
The pricing, the interior styling and the exterior styling all leave a lot to be desired. Doesn’t feel premium at all.
Well, I really think it’s the “made in China” origin of this vehicle, and the fact that it’s just plain bland. Why would I buy this thing??? There are so many other “made in U.S.A.” vehicles out there that are sooo much better for the same or lesser price that I can see no reason to support China or GM for this thing. It is my hope and prayer, that GM, Ford and FCA will someday figure out that shipping production of cars and trucks (SUV’s) to other countries and then trying to get Americans to buy them is a dying precept. Profits are essential for any manufacturer to stay in business, but this producing a vehicle in Mexico, China, etc. is just going too far. The U.S. companies need to get with the program and start producing new vehicles that are on par with and even upscale with their European counterparts. This idea that the Japanese and Koreans are the only countries that can produce profitable cars (yes, CARS) is absolutely absurd. Like I said, it’s all about profits, and there is little to no profit in U.S. built cars because of the added cost of supporting out-of-control union wages and benefits. Look at Germany! They’ve been outsourcing vehicle production for years and their doing it more and more as the unions demand even more from the bottom line.
Buick, get with the program and leave this thing in China where it belongs!
I am currently leasing an Envision. It is just not a very good car for the money. It does not do anything particularly well, It doesn’t have the same features as its competitors in the same price range. It certainly does not feel like it is a vehicle that you could put 80-100,000 miles on without a problem. It is the right size for my needs, is roomy and is reasonably comfortable, but I will not be leasing another one. It has been a disappointment.
I won’t buy a Buick made in China. I guess I’m not the only one.
Too matererialism.
I’m with you on that, except I’m Australian. I won’t buy a Holden made anywhere else but Australia, and since they no longer build cars in Australia, I no longer buy Holdens.
Of course it is. It has a low tech Interior with decent materials on the higher Trim mostly.
The Base 2.5 is like I have been saying for years basically a joke. No idea why GM even makes that engine.
The base (replacement of the 2.5) should be the 1.6 Turbo with 190/200 HP.
It is cramped inside. Oh and lets not forget that Buick tries to get almost 60K on the Top trim LOL.
I mean get this or a Fully loaded BMW X1 or middle of the road X3. Not a hard choice.
I have been saying for years that Buick needs to be like Acura. Very small amount of options. Price it correctly and watch sales sky rockets.
The 2.5 is a good engine in itself. It just doesn’t belong in a vehicle like this and instead should be relegated to Chevys like my Impala which I love. Now the old Ford 2.5 Duratec with 175 Hp and 175 torque is a joke. I had several rental Fusions with that engine and they were slower, noisier and thirstier than my larger heavier Impala with it’s 197 Hp 2.5. Not everybody wants a micro sized over stressed turbo engine that will start burning oil and having weird issues when the miles pile up like many of my friends with there Ecoboost 2.0 and 2.3 engines.
I have a 2015 Buick Regal and love it to death. But, I bought it off a Cadillac dealer’s lot as a former rental unit. No problems with it at all. I love the way it looks and drives. It doesn’t even have the turbo-4 engine. It’s great for toting myself to work every day. Built in Oshawa. On the other hand, the Envision just doesn’t seem to bring much to the table. The styling is not very distinctive. The interior is kinda “meh” too. The pricing is just ridiculous. And it’s built by (for all we know) Chinese political prisoner labor. It makes me sad a little for GM, but I’m beginning to think both Ford and GM are doing a long swoon. One day we will see what’s left of GM makes spin off as independents and probably die a sad death.
Word is starting to spread that gm doesn’t know how to build decent cars anymore, and you don’t get your money’s worth when you buy one. Every gm car I have ever owned suffered $2700-4500 worth of breakdowns (transmission failures, usually) before 120000 miles. I finally quit buying them, but then my wife convinced me to try again and buy a Buick enclave… Any better? Nope! $5000 in repairs at 116,000 miles, transmission failure and sunroof leak. Gm builds junk. Never again.
I was interested enough in the vehicle to take a test ride. Not comfortable. Not a good ride. Leased an Acadia instead. Much, much better.
Made in Mexico, Canada and USA ALL have major recalls so keep on buying them.
Actually it is only produced in China. Keep being stupid though, it’s entertaining.
The exterior styling is boring! It’s too conservative and initially it was over priced.
if it is not assembled in the USA and keep importing it from CHINA, MARY you will see sale drop even more . what the hell is she thinking ,she is ruining an American icon company . again I will say she pissing off more customers than she thinks its time somebody with a brain reads most of these comments and they get back to Mary and her cronies before GM becomes number 2
I own a 2018 Buick Envision. When I bought it I did not know it was made in China. But it would not have changed my decision to buy. – The one I bought had a list price of $42,000.+ After incentives, I got it for $33,000, including taxes and title. I thought that was very competitive, and so far (after 8,500+ miles), I’m very happy with it. The interior IS luxurious. The features are extensive and great. –
Dude, at the top of this thread you had a 2017, are you just locked in for a yearly renewal of this thing?
I shook my head at keeping Buick, GM touted that it was to entertain the Chinese market. Either the article lacks the breadth to acknowledge that market, or it isn’t going that great there either. Pontiac or Saturn were much better suited as niche markets, whether as a performance or economy/green avenue. I look forward to seeing the realization that this was not the brand to stick with, and hold out that they will figure out the other kinks along the way
Rich, I see you caught that too. Methinks Bill is a 71 yr. old Buick salesman working to supplement his income.
LOL – Actually I’m a retired dealer in rare books and art. http://www.majure.net
🙂
Whoops! Sorry about that. 2018 is a typo. I actually have a 2017 bought in early 2018.