The Buick Envision is a compact crossover SUV manufactured in China by SAIC-GM, and marketed globally by GM.
Concept
The Buick Envision was first introduced in 2011 as a design concept. It was a small crossover with two large scissor doors opening upward. The concept was a plug-in hybrid with advanced technology such as a solar roof and head-up display. The "waterfall" grille was one of the few features which made it to the production version of the Envision.
First generation (2014–present)
The Envision was first introduced in China in August 2014, also known by its Chinese name, “Ang Ke Wei”. It went on sale in China on October 20th. The Envision debuted in the U.S. at the North American International Auto Show on January 11, 2016, sharing the segment with a second generationGMC Terrain and the Chevrolet Equinox. It went on sale in the United Statesin the summer of 2016, making it the first Chinese-built GM vehicle to be sold in America. It was initially offered with all-wheel drive, and subsequently with optional front wheel drive for model year 2017. The North American version of the Envision features two powertrains: a 2.5L four-cylinder with and torque, and a turbo-charged 2.0L four-cylinder engine SAE certified at and torque. Both were initially paired with a third-generation six-speed transmission. For the 2016 model year, the Envision was only available in Premium I and Premium II trim levels, with the 2.0L turbo engine, seven active safety technologies, and OnStar/Intellilink connectivity. The trim levels expanded to five for the 2017 model year. In addition to the larger engines offered in North America, Chinese buyers also have the option of a turbocharged 1.5-liter unit.
2019 facelift
The 2019 Envision debuted in late 2017 in China, and in 2018 for the North American market. It features an revised rear styling, tail lights, stop/start calibration and seating design. The transmission for the 2.0L turbo engine was upgraded to a 9-speed automatic.
In May 2020, GM introduced the second generation of the Envision in the United States. It will be powered by a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The 2021 Envision will include a suite of standard safety features, and for the first time, be offered in Buick's premium Avenir trim. In China, the new Envision will be sold alongside the first-generation Envision as the Envision S.
Reception
In 2017, the Envision was Buick's third bestselling model in the U.S. with sales of just over 41,000 units. Sales in the U.S. dropped 27% in 2018 but rebounded slightly in 2019.
UAW reception
When GM announced it would market a Chinese-manufactured vehicle in the U.S., the United Auto Workers, who had just finalized a contract agreement with GM and had wanted the automaker to build the Envision stateside, released a statement on December 4, 2015, saying "today’s announcement by General Motors that they are importing the Envision from China is a slap in the face to U.S. taxpayers and the men and women who worked so hard to save GM during its darkest time." Buick spokesman Stuart Fowle said "we have production already going and adding a second manufacturing facility for the volumes that we would expect in the U.S. just wasn’t feasible," he said. "We wanted to take advantage of the manufacturing already in place. We’re very confident in the vehicle." On August 6, 2018, General Motors announced that it might withdraw the Envision from the United States market, should a request to seek a waiver to continue to import the vehicle be denied. GM sought the waiver amid a trade disagreement between the United States and China over tariffs that could hurt the sales of the Envision. The automaker sees the potential exemption as "the only way" to continue offering the vehicle to U.S. consumers, according to GM President Dan Ammann. The exemption was denied on May 29, 2019, but GM has opted to pay the tariffs without raising the price on the vehicle for the time being. Buick is confident that ongoing talks between China and the United States could spare the Envision's future in North America.
