The cars we drive often have surprising origins. While many of us assume that our favorite vehicles are manufactured close to home, the reality is quite different.
Some of the most popular and familiar cars on American roads are actually built thousands of miles away—in China.
You might be surprised to learn that three of these well-loved models are not made in the U.S. at all.
1. Lincoln Nautilus
The Lincoln Nautilus is part of Ford Motor Company’s luxury Lincoln brand. Traditionally, luxury vehicles under American brands like Lincoln are expected to be produced domestically, but the Nautilus defies this expectation.
Introduced in 2019 as a luxury crossover, the Nautilus quickly gained popularity, particularly in the Chinese market. Recognizing the demand, Lincoln began assembling the Nautilus in China to better cater to its Chinese customers.
The real shift came with the redesign of the Nautilus for the 2024 model year. As Ford Motor Company made the decision to retool its North American factories for the production of electric vehicles (EVs), it chose to concentrate the production of the new Nautilus entirely in China.
As a result, all 2024 Lincoln Nautilus models are now built in China and then shipped to the U.S. and other markets worldwide.(ref)
2. Buick Envision
Introduced in 2014, the Buick Envision has been manufactured exclusively in GM’s Yantai plant in China. This decision to produce the Envision in China, even for export to the United States, reflects GM’s pioneering approach in shifting production of U.S.-market vehicles to China.
Among the Detroit Big Three automakers, GM was the first to make this move, setting the stage for other manufacturers to follow suit.
One of the key reasons behind this decision is the immense demand for Buick vehicles in China.(ref) With the Envision positioned as a premium midsize crossover, it has gained a strong foothold in the competitive Chinese automotive market.
GM’s ability to produce the Envision locally in China allows the company to be more responsive to this demand while taking advantage of cost efficiencies associated with local production.
Interestingly, GM’s strategy also includes the production of hybrid Buicks specifically for the Chinese market. Despite growing interest in hybrid and electric vehicles in the U.S., GM has not yet introduced hybrid Buick models stateside.
In China, where government incentives and consumer interest in hybrid and electric vehicles are rapidly increasing, GM has adapted its offerings to meet these demands. This contrasts with the U.S., where the focus has been more on internal combustion engines for Buick’s lineup.
Despite the initial controversy over building U.S.-market vehicles in China, the Buick Envision has continued to perform well in both the Chinese and North American markets.
3. Volvo S90 Sedan
Volvo, originally a Swedish automaker, was acquired by the Chinese automotive giant Geely in 2010. This acquisition marked a turning point for the brand, as Geely invested heavily in expanding Volvo’s manufacturing capabilities, particularly in China.
The Volvo S90, which was introduced in 2016 as a replacement for the Volvo S80, is now primarily built in Volvo’s Daqing plant in China.(ref) This facility has become the global production hub for the S90 sedan, which is then exported to markets worldwide, including Europe and North America.
One of the driving factors behind Volvo’s decision to produce the S90 in China is the country’s rapidly growing luxury car market. By building the S90 in China, Volvo can produce a high-quality luxury sedan at a competitive price point, benefiting from the country’s advanced production facilities and skilled labor force.
Despite being manufactured in China, the Volvo S90 retains its distinctly Scandinavian design and engineering heritage. The S90 is available in both standard and long-wheelbase versions, with the latter catering specifically to the preferences of Chinese consumers who value spacious rear seating in luxury sedans.
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
