Are GM and Buick the Same Manufacturer?
General Motors (GM) holds a massive space in the global automotive market. It’s also one of America’s most historic car companies. There are several GM subsidiaries such as Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and the GMC truck and SUV brand. But are GM and Buick the same manufacturer?
As with many other large automotive makers and their subsidiaries, various factories produce cars from more than one brand. GM manufactures Buick models and their components in various factories all over the world. In fact, GM Authority reports that the 2021 Buick Envision is still made at the factory in China.
What is the history of Buick’s relationship with General Motors?
According to Car and Driver, the Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company was established in 1099 by David Dunbar Buick. A few years later (1903), Buick moved from Detroit to Flint, Michigan––as per Buick’s history page. By 1908, Buick officially became a part of General Motors.
That same year, Buick surpassed both Ford and Cadillac as the top producer of cars in the United States, making 8,820 units total. This was the beginning of a rich history with GM and its iconic lineup. Buick models serve as entry-level luxury beneath the GM umbrella.
By 1923, Buick had produced 1 million vehicles. Later on during the Second World War, the brand produced tanks for the military. The brand produced several flagship models throughout the years and remained a strong arm of the GM family of automakers.
Where are Buick models made?
The Buick Envision is made at the SAIC-GM Jinqiao South plant in China. GM fabricates components and engines in factories all over the world. The manufacturer holds a global presence, with factories in South Korea, Germany, and China––in addition to the U.S. and Canada.
“Buick models are built in different manufacturing plants all across the United States as well as in Canada, China, South Korea, and even Germany.”
Buick dealer website
The assembly of Buick isn’t as American as one might think. However, GM’s brands do share a number of platforms. Cadillac, Buick, and other GM models feature some of the same components.
Is Buick an American car company?
Yes, Buick is considered an American car company. The brand saw huge success over the years. In fact, at one point owning a Buick was part of achieving the American dream.
Despite making some models in factories overseas, Buick retains its status as an American brand. In fact, I recently drove the new Buick Encore GX and it left me feeling impressed enough to recommend that my mother-in-law go test drive one. With a deep heritage in GM’s precision engineering and performance, Buick models exemplify that DNA.
In addition, we see Buick models in popular television series such as Big Little Lies. The Buick lineup now consists of crossovers and luxury SUVs like the Enclave and the Envision. Many families choose Buick for a chance to own American luxury.
Are GM and Buick the same manufacturer? Well, Buick models are produced in GM plants. But while all Buicks are GM models, not all GM models are Buicks. So the Buick brand stands as a separate entity in the market.
