GM Picks Kansas, Rather Than China, For Next Premium Crossover

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham

Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com

2-20-2018

General Motors will not build and import its next premium crossover in China, as it now does with the Buick Envision. As we began reporting in 2015, General Motors opted to build in China and import the Envision rather than produce it in North America. The majority of Buicks are now made outside of the United States, and actually, outside of North America. We had assumed that General Motors might continue this trend with its newest premium crossover, the Cadillac XT4. However, the site of this new compact crossover will be the Kansas City, Kansas Fairfax assembly and stamping plant.

 

“The Fairfax team earned this investment because of their commitment to built-in quality and their focus on the customer,” Gerald Johnson, Vice President of GMNA Manufacturing and Labor Relations, said in a release. “We are excited to help bring the first-ever Cadillac XT4 to market.” 

 

Kansas Gov. Jeff Coyler commented on the new plant, saying, "This investment supports jobs and shows that our state’s skilled workforce is strong. We are pleased with this announcement and that GM continues to invest in the great state of Kansas.” KSHB Kansas City News reports that this is welcome news in a place where Harley Davidson has announced plans to close. 

 

The new Cadillac XT4 will be smaller than the current XT5 (formerly SRX) which is by far Cadillac's top seller now. Presently, SUVs make up more than 50% of Cadillac's sales and with the new XT4 non-car models will likely approach 75% by the end of 2019.  

[j-ten-ner]

Those are certainly good news. To keep jobs inside  the own country is always a great decision.

But at the same time I'd like to see GM to commit to the assembly plants they have in foreign countries.

Once, the decision was made to build cars abroad. Now please stick to it because there,too, are workers with families.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[Colossus]

"GM continues to invest in the great state of Kansas"

The great state of Kansas.. Good grief. 

[i82much]

thank you gm.. 

[Nargg]

On ‎2‎/‎20‎/‎2018 at 9:40 PM, Colossus said:

"GM continues to invest in the great state of Kansas"

The great state of Kansas.. Good grief. 

Every state in the union is great.  What's-a-mater wit u!

[redwngr]

General Motors SELLS a lot of Buick's in China, and China is GM's largest retail market.  (according to GM investor info.) In China, Buick is GM's best selling brand. 

 

In 2017, "China was GM’s largest retail market for the sixth consecutive year. The company benefited from record domestic sales by the Cadillac, Buick and Baojun brands." 

 

"Buick, GM’s best-selling brand in China, had sales exceeding 1.18 million units. Buick’s leading position in the mainstream passenger car market was strengthened by seven product launches in 2017."

 

http://www.gm.com/mol/m-2018-Jan-0104_sales.html