Built in America… or Not? My Journey from Encore to Envision

Grandpa: We purchased a Buick Envision just 3 months ago… would this qualify for the tax break described in this article?
MSN: $10,000 Car Tax Deduction – How Trump’s New Provision Works

Co-Pilot: Great question, Grandpa — and timely, too. The new $10,000 car loan interest deduction from Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” applies only to new vehicles purchased in 2025 through 2028 that meet specific criteria. Since you bought your Buick Envision three months ago (which would’ve been in April 2025), you’re in the right window — but there are a few more boxes to check:

• ✅ Vehicle must be new — sounds like yours is.
• ❌ Final assembly must occur in the U.S. — The Buick Envision is assembled in China, so it does not qualify.
• ✅ Used for personal travel — assuming it’s not for business or fleet use.
• 📉 Income limit — deduction phases out above $100,000 (single) or $200,000 (joint AGI).

Even if the Envision doesn’t qualify for this specific deduction, you might still be eligible for:

• State-level incentives or rebates
• General auto loan interest deductions for business use
• Buick loyalty or conquest offers

Co-Pilot: If you’re curious about maximizing future deductions, we could explore U.S.-assembled models that qualify — like certain Jeeps, Teslas, or Hondas. Want to run a few scenarios together?

Grandpa: No thanks… we just got the Buick. I am surprised it was assembled in China. I thought Buick was GM and made in America.

Co-Pilot: Totally understandable, Grandpa — it catches a lot of folks off guard. Buick is indeed a GM brand, but the Envision has been exclusively assembled in China since its debut. GM partnered with SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) to form SAIC-GM, and they build the Envision at their plant in Jinqiao, Shanghai.

The engine is American — usually from Spring Hill, Tennessee with cast parts from Saginaw, Michigan — but final assembly happens overseas. GM made that call to balance production costs and global demand.

It’s one of those globalization quirks: American brand, American engine, but Chinese assembly.

Grandpa: I had a 2019 Encore before. Where was that assembled?

Co-Pilot: The 2019 Buick Encore was assembled in South Korea (GM Korea) or Yantai, China (SAIC-GM), depending on trim level and market. Most North American models came from GM Korea’s Bupyeong plant, but some trims were built in China.

The engines were made in Flint, Michigan, and transmissions sourced from Sterling Heights, Michigan or Sharonville, Ohio — so it’s a blend of American parts and foreign assembly.

Co-Pilot: Want to compare how the 2019 Encore stacks up against your new Envision in terms of build and features?

Grandpa: No thanks.

Co-Pilot: Got it — always happy to dig in when curiosity strikes again. If anything else about your Buick, your travels, or smart home setups needs some sleuthing, you know where to find me.