Company overview
Buick is a division of General Motors, established in 1899 by David Dunbar Buick. Initially focused on stationary and marine engines, the company began automobile production in 1904 with the Model B. Buick became the largest car manufacturer in the world in 1908, largely due to the efforts of William C. Durant. The company evolved under Durant’s leadership, incorporating Oldsmobile and establishing General Motors in 1908. Buick has historically been positioned as a premium brand within GM’s portfolio, below Cadillac and above Chevrolet. Early success stemmed from the valve-in-head engine developed by Walter Marr and Eugene Richard. In the 1930s, Buick introduced innovations such as turn signals and the Dynaflow automatic transmission. Following World War II, Buick expanded its model line and began importing Opel vehicles for sale in North America. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Buick achieved significant sales milestones, including becoming the third largest car brand in America. In the 1970s and 80s, Buick continued to introduce new models and embrace performance technologies. Today, Buick remains a brand within General Motors, selling vehicles primarily in North America and China.
