Buick City in Bay City?
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 10:33 pm
Chris and I were discussing this in another thread, which was, in the typical fashion of our forum, derailing that topic. So, to set a good example, something I SELDOM do, we can continue it here.....
By 1908, Buick production has outpaced its facilities. David Buick had pretty much been tossed to the curb by Buick Motor Company by this time. Some production of cars had taken place in Jackson, and, in fact, Buick trucks continued to be built in Jackson. The search was on for larger manufacturing facilities. Whiting, who was financing GM at the time, either owned or had access to acreage in Bay City. It wasn't long until Durant himself was ousted by the bankers. Buick was a dreamer and inventor, but was a horrendously incompetent businessman. Durant was a promoter "extraordinaire", but had little use for any kind of financial planning or cost analysis before he made a move. If Durant saw a business for sale that would help GM, he bought it, cost not considered. This trait was what made GM the ultimate powerhouse it was, but it made the bankers nervous.
By 1908, Buick production has outpaced its facilities. David Buick had pretty much been tossed to the curb by Buick Motor Company by this time. Some production of cars had taken place in Jackson, and, in fact, Buick trucks continued to be built in Jackson. The search was on for larger manufacturing facilities. Whiting, who was financing GM at the time, either owned or had access to acreage in Bay City. It wasn't long until Durant himself was ousted by the bankers. Buick was a dreamer and inventor, but was a horrendously incompetent businessman. Durant was a promoter "extraordinaire", but had little use for any kind of financial planning or cost analysis before he made a move. If Durant saw a business for sale that would help GM, he bought it, cost not considered. This trait was what made GM the ultimate powerhouse it was, but it made the bankers nervous.