Who Owns Buick?
Buick is owned by General Motors (GM), an American multinational automotive manufacturer. Buick operates as General Motors' mid-premium vehicle division. The brand is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and offers luxury vehicles positioned between mainstream and ultra-luxury segments.
Parent Company
Unknown
Founded
1903
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Who Owns Buick?
History of Buick
- Founded: 1903
- Founders: David Dunbar Buick
Buick was founded in 1903 by David Dunbar Buick, a Scottish-born American inventor and entrepreneur who had previously made his fortune in the plumbing fixtures business. Buick developed a valve-in-head engine design that was more powerful and efficient than competing designs of the era. However, Buick struggled financially and was acquired by William Durant in 1904, who used Buick as the foundation for General Motors, which he founded in 1908.
In the early years of General Motors, Buick was the company's most important brand and its primary source of revenue. Buick's success funded Durant's acquisition of other automotive companies including Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and Oakland (which became Pontiac). The brand established itself as a premium American automobile, positioned above Chevrolet but below Cadillac in GM's brand hierarchy.
Throughout the mid-20th century, Buick produced some of its most iconic designs, including the 1949 Roadmaster, the 1963 Riviera (considered one of the most beautiful American cars of its era), and the 1970 GSX muscle car. The brand was known for its distinctive "VentiPorts" (portholes on the hood), its powerful engines, and its association with successful, aspirational American consumers.
Buick's fortunes declined in the 1980s and 1990s as the brand struggled to differentiate itself from other GM brands and faced increasing competition from Japanese luxury brands. The brand's average buyer age rose steadily, creating a perception problem that proved difficult to reverse in the United States.
A significant strategic shift occurred when Buick became enormously successful in China, where the brand had been introduced in the late 1990s. In China, Buick carries significant prestige due to its historical association with Chinese government officials (Buicks were used by Chinese officials in the early 20th century). By the 2010s, Buick was selling more vehicles in China than in the United States, fundamentally changing the brand's strategic importance to General Motors. Today, Buick sells approximately 700,000-800,000 vehicles annually in China compared to approximately 200,000 in the United States.
About
What does General Motors own?
General Motors owns four automotive brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac. The company also owns GM Financial, its captive finance subsidiary, and Cruise, its autonomous vehicle subsidiary. GM operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China (through joint ventures), Brazil, and South Korea. The company's OnStar connected vehicle service is also a wholly owned subsidiary. GM previously owned Pontiac, Saturn, Saab, Hummer, and Opel/Vauxhall, all of which were divested or discontinued.
Is General Motors publicly traded?
Yes, General Motors is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker GM. The company relisted on the NYSE in November 2010 following its emergence from bankruptcy in 2009. GM does not have a controlling shareholder, and its shares are held primarily by institutional investors. The US government, which provided approximately 50 billion US dollars in bailout funding during the 2009 bankruptcy, sold its remaining stake in GM in 2013.
Who founded General Motors?
General Motors was founded by William Crapo Durant on September 16, 1908, in Flint, Michigan. Durant was a successful carriage manufacturer who had acquired Buick Motor Company in 1904 and used it as the foundation for GM. Durant lost control of GM twice due to financial difficulties and was permanently replaced in 1920. Alfred P. Sloan Jr. subsequently became the dominant figure in GM's management and is credited with developing the multi-brand strategy and the concept of the annual model change.
Where is General Motors headquartered?
General Motors is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, USA, where the company has been based since its founding. The company's global headquarters is located at the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit. GM operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Brazil, and South Korea, among other locations.
How many brands does General Motors own?
General Motors currently operates four brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac. The company previously operated additional brands including Pontiac, Saturn, Oldsmobile, Hummer, and Saab, all of which were discontinued or divested. GM also operated Opel and Vauxhall in Europe, which were sold to PSA Group (now Stellantis) in 2017.
Who owns General Motors?
General Motors is a publicly traded company with no controlling shareholder. The company's shares are held primarily by institutional investors including major asset managers and index funds. No single shareholder holds a majority stake in GM. The US government, which held a majority stake following the 2009 bailout, sold its remaining shares in 2013. Mary Barra serves as Chairman and CEO.
- Founded:
- Headquarters:
- Company Type: Privately Held
Where Is Buick Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, China
Buick Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Backed by General Motors' manufacturing resources and technology
- +Historic brand heritage and American automotive tradition
- +Strong distribution network and dealership support
- +Investment in electric vehicle technology and innovation
- +Access to advanced engineering and design capabilities
Considerations
- -Competition from other mid-premium brands
- -Building modern brand perception while maintaining heritage
- -Economic sensitivity affecting vehicle purchases
- -Balancing positioning between Chevrolet and Cadillac
- -Establishing distinct brand identity within GM portfolio
Frequently Asked Questions About Buick
Where to Buy
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Buick on AmazonCompetitors to Buick
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