General Motors
gm-buick-envision.jpeg

General Motors to Sell China-made Vehicle in US First

Dec. 6, 2015
The automaker plans to import 30,000 to 40,000 Buick Envision SUVs each year, amid high demand for 4X4, crossover and pickup trucks in North America, as oil prices dip.

NEW YORK - General Motors (IW 500/5) says it will sell in the United States next year a vehicle made in China, becoming the first major U.S. automaker to do so.

The move was quickly denounced by the powerful UAW auto union, which branded it "a slap in the face" and called for an immediate rethink.

GM has sold 127,085 Buick Envision SUVs, made in the eastern province of Shandong, since January in China.

The automaker plans to import 30,000 to 40,000 of the vehicles each year, amid high demand for 4X4, crossover and pickup trucks in North America, as oil prices dip.

The controversial announcement comes as labor costs are set to rise for GM in the United States following a wage deal currently being finalized.

"Today’s announcement by General Motors that they are importing the Envision from China is a slap in the face to U.S. taxpayers and the men and women who worked so hard to save GM during its darkest time," UAW vice president and director of the General Motors Department, Cindy Estrada, said in a statement.

China became GM's biggest market last year, but a slowdown in the Chinese economy allowed North America to regain its top spot in the first nine months of 2015.

Last month, GM -- whose brands include Chevrolet, Cadillac and Buick -- sold more than 100,000 Buick vehicles in China, compared to 19,000 in the United States. 

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2015

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

What Does Agility Look Like for Today's Auto Industry?

Dec. 4, 2023
Without modern technologies, enterprises aren't able to fully analyze the risks and respond to ongoing supply chain issues and semiconductor shortages.

Electric Vehicles Spark New Opportunities in the Automotive Industry

Dec. 4, 2023
Automakers have increased plans to produce Electric Vehicles to meet customer demand for low emissions. With this radical shift, new opportunities and challenges for the auto ...

Powering Up Productivity: The Transformative Power of AP Automation in Manufacturing

Oct. 25, 2023
Discover how AP Automation is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry, driving efficiency, cost savings, and security. In today's world, automation is the key to staying competitive...

Digitally Transforming Data and Processes With Product Lifecycle Management

Oct. 29, 2023
Manufacturers face increasing challenges in product development as they strive to consistently deliver improved results. Discover how industry leaders are improving time-to-market...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!