General Motors (GM) has announced a significant change in its production strategy by moving the manufacturing of the third-generation Buick Envision from China to the United States. This shift aims to strengthen GM’s domestic operations and comes as the automaker faces challenges in the market, including tariff impacts and rising prices.
Beginning in 2028, the Buick Envision will be produced at the Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, where it will share production lines with the Chevrolet Equinox. This strategic move follows a series of price hikes that have seen the cost of the Envision increase by $4,500 in less than a year, pushing the starting price of the 2026 Envision to $41,000 before an additional $1,995 destination fee.
The decision to relocate production comes as sales of the Envision have experienced a downturn. While total sales for the model fell by 11.4 percent last year, fourth-quarter figures showed a staggering decline of 60.9 percent. Despite this drop, the Envision was Buick’s third best-selling vehicle, comprising just over 20 percent of the brand’s total annual sales of 198,155 units.
In a brief statement, GM emphasized that this production shift will enhance its domestic manufacturing footprint and support U.S. jobs. The company is building on the recent $5.5 billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing operations. The automaker did not provide extensive details about the transition plan for the current model, indicating that it is still finalizing its strategy.
Chevrolet Bolt Production to Cease
Alongside the announcement regarding the Envision, GM revealed that the Chevrolet Bolt, an electric vehicle, will be phased out as the Fairfax Assembly plant prepares to produce the Equinox starting in 2027. This decision comes despite the recent relaunch of the Bolt, which GM had previously labeled as a “limited run model.”
The transition to produce the Envision in the U.S. reflects broader trends in the automotive industry, particularly in light of tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, which significantly affected the pricing of imported vehicles. As GM navigates these changes, the automaker aims to adapt to market demands while bolstering its local manufacturing capabilities.
The future of the Buick Envision remains uncertain, but the shift indicates a strategic redirection for GM as it seeks to stabilize its product lineup and sales performance in a competitive market.