Is Buick a Domestic Brand?
2 Answers
Buick is not a domestic brand; it is a joint venture vehicle brand established by General Motors in the United States, Canada, and China. Buick is sold in regions such as North America, China, CIS countries, and the Middle East. Its design and development are based in Shanghai, China. Buick's car models include: Verano, Excelle, Envision, Excelle GT, Regal, LaCrosse, and VELITE5 (new energy). Taking the Verano as an example, it is an intermediate sports sedan under SAIC-GM Buick, offering four models with six exterior colors and two interior color options. In terms of body dimensions, the Verano measures 4723mm in length, 1802mm in width, 1466mm (1476mm) in height, with a wheelbase of 2700mm.
I'm a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience driving Buicks, so I can share some insights on this. The Buick brand indeed originated in the US under General Motors, but nowadays, most Buick vehicles you purchase in China are manufactured by SAIC-GM joint venture factories, assembled in plants like those in Pudong and Shenyang. I've driven the Excelle and Regal, both made in these locations, with most parts locally sourced. Strictly speaking, Buick cars in the Chinese market are domestically produced joint venture products. The advantage is that they're much more affordable than imports, with convenient maintenance and ubiquitous 4S dealerships. Buick's quality is decent, especially in recent years after localization—designs better suit Chinese driving habits, offering spacious interiors and fuel efficiency. In short, if you're buying a Buick in China, it's domestically made, so no need to worry about it being an import. Just check local factory info when choosing a car, and you'll be clear.