A Long Time Coming for the Envision
The Buick Envision has been coming to the US from China since 2017, quietly carrying a 25 percent import tariff the whole time. Built under the SAIC-GM partnership, it’s the only Buick in America that gets hit with these extra duties. Most buyers probably never noticed, but that tariff has been baked into the price for years.
That’s about to change. GM has confirmed it will start building the Envision’s successor in the US starting in 2028. When that happens, the Envision finally drops its China-built label for American buyers, closing the book on a quirk that’s followed this model for almost ten years.
What GM Has Confirmed So Far
will shift production of the next-generation Envision to its Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas, at least for US-bound models. Versions for other markets may still come out of China. GM hasn’t shared the new model’s official name yet, but it’s clear this is the Envision’s direct replacement.
“This decision further strengthens GM’s domestic manufacturing footprint and supports US jobs, building on $5.5 billion in new investments announced across our US manufacturing sites in the last year,” the company said in a statement to CBS News. Needless to say, the timing aligns with higher tariffs on most foreign-made cars and parts, including a 25% baseline duty imposed last year.
Fairfax Assembly is already a busy factory that’s going to be busier. GM has the next-gen Chevrolet Bolt EV rolling out there, and the Chevrolet Equinox is set to join the line in 2027.
An Impending Market Impact
Right now, the 2026 Buick Envision starts at $41,000 before fees. Building it in the US could finally bring that price down, though GM hasn’t said anything official yet. Once the tariffs are gone, we expect the Envision to settle somewhere in the mid-$30,000s, but it’s still unclear how much of that savings will actually reach buyers.
Meanwhile, it’s an open question how a lower price might affect demand for the upcoming Envision. Buick moved over 41,000 Envisions last year, which is impressive given the extra cost. If the entry price drops, the Envision could attract even more buyers, especially in a segment where value and reputation count as much as features.
