Manufacturing shift planned for Kansas by 2028
General Motors has confirmed plans to move production of a Buick compact SUV from China to the United States for domestic sales. The next generation of the vehicle is expected to be built at GM’s Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas, starting in 2028.
The automaker said the move is part of a broader effort to strengthen its U.S. manufacturing footprint. Production in China may continue for international markets, but vehicles sold in the United States will be built domestically once the transition is complete.
Political and trade pressures shape decision
The production shift comes amid increasing pressure from President Donald Trump for companies to onshore manufacturing, as well as rising tensions between the United States and China. Tariffs on vehicles and other trade measures have added urgency for automakers that rely on overseas production for the U.S. market.
GM has produced the Buick Envision in China for U.S. customers since 2017. While the company has not confirmed whether the next-generation model will keep the Envision name, it did emphasize that the decision supports American jobs and long-term domestic investment.
Investment and product lineup at Fairfax Assembly
According to GM, the Kansas facility will also produce the gas-powered Chevrolet Equinox starting in 2027, following limited production of the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt. The addition of the Buick compact SUV will further expand the plant’s role in GM’s North American strategy.
The company noted that it has announced $5.5 billion in new investments across U.S. manufacturing sites over the past year, with the Fairfax project forming part of that broader commitment.
Buick sales context in the US
U.S. sales of the Buick Envision have exceeded 40,000 units annually for each of the past three years. The model has accounted for roughly a quarter of Buick’s total U.S. sales during that period, underscoring its importance to the brand.
By relocating production to the United States, GM aims to reduce supply chain risks, align more closely with domestic policy priorities, and reinforce Buick’s position in the competitive compact SUV segment.