Is Buick an Imported Car?
3 Answers
Buick can be considered a domestic car, with parts being joint-venture and production taking place in Shanghai, China. It is a model from General Motors (USA), while imported cars are those produced in the USA. Relevant details about the Buick Regal are as follows: Body dimensions: The Buick Regal measures 4902/1863/1461mm in length, width, and height, with a wheelbase of 2829mm. The space performance in both front and rear rows is quite good. Configuration: High-end models are equipped with BOSE audio, LED daytime running lights, eConnect infotainment system, keyless entry, cruise control, seat heating, and a power sunroof, among other features. The Regal is built on the Epsilon2 platform, with both wheelbase and lateral wheel track increased compared to the previous generation. The body height and suspension distance have been reduced, resulting in better handling and more agile driving. Powertrain: The Buick Regal is powered by a 1.5T engine and a 2.0T engine, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
I've been driving Buicks for over a decade. Initially, I thought they might be imported cars since it's an old American brand. But in reality, the Buicks you buy in China, like the Excelle and GL8—these main models—are all locally produced by Shanghai GM, not imports at all. The Buick brand was born in the U.S. in 1903 and was acquired by General Motors. It entered China in the 1990s, establishing joint-venture factories with SAIC. Today, China is the largest market for Buick globally. Localized production has cut costs, making prices more affordable, and spare parts easier to find. If you check out a 4S dealership, you'll see the cars are all assembled domestically—tariffs are avoided, yet the quality remains solid. Some high-end models like the Enclave are occasionally imported, but that's the exception. Don't be misled by the brand—buying a Buick in China means getting a domestic car experience, which is pretty hassle-free.
As a car enthusiast, I've been following Buick for quite some time. While it originated in the United States, over 90% of the vehicles sold in China are domestically produced in Shanghai. Popular models like the Regal and GL8 are manufactured locally, with production lines based in China, making them far from being imported. Buick's global production chain has established factories worldwide, with China being its largest manufacturing base. Local production saves on shipping costs and tariffs compared to imports, naturally making the prices more affordable. When my friend unboxed his Envision last year, he even noticed the factory label indicating it was from SAIC-GM, with most components also being domestically sourced. This means easier maintenance and repairs without waiting for overseas parts. Despite its foreign-sounding name, driving a Buick in China is no different from driving domestically produced Toyota or Honda models—both economical and reliable.
