For years, the Buick Envision has quietly absorbed a 25 percent import tariff. That will change in 2028, when U.S.-market models begin production in Kansas.
Since its U.S. debut in 2017, the Buick Envision has been imported from China, carrying a 25 percent tariff the entire time. Built through the SAIC-GM joint venture, it remains the only Buick sold in America subject to these additional import duties. Most customers were likely unaware of it, but the cost of that tariff has been factored into the Envision’s pricing for years.
That situation is finally set to change. General Motors has confirmed plans to produce the Envision’s successor in the United States beginning in 2028. When production shifts stateside, the model will shed its China-built status for American buyers, bringing an end to a peculiarity that has followed the Envision for nearly a decade.
GM says it will move production of the next-generation Envision to its Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas, at least for vehicles destined for the U.S. market. Models intended for other regions may continue to be built in China. While the automaker has not yet announced the official name of the upcoming vehicle, it has made clear that it will serve as 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.
The timing is notable, as it coincides with increased tariffs on many foreign-built vehicles and components, including a 25 percent baseline duty implemented last year.
Fairfax Assembly is already operating at a high level and is set to take on even more responsibility. GM plans to build the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV at the facility, and the Chevrolet Equinox is scheduled to begin production there in 2027 as well.
At present, the 2026 Buick Envision carries a starting price of $41,000 before destination charges. Manufacturing the vehicle in the United States could eventually allow that figure to come down, though GM has not made any formal announcements regarding pricing changes.
Once the tariff burden is removed, expectations are that the Envision could land in the mid-$30,000 range, but it remains unclear how much of the potential savings will ultimately be passed along to consumers.
What’s also uncertain is how a lower entry price might influence demand for the next-generation Envision. Buick sold more than 41,000 Envisions last year, an impressive result considering the vehicle’s elevated cost.
If pricing becomes more competitive, the Envision could see even stronger sales, particularly in a segment where perceived value and brand reputation matter just as much as features and technology.
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