David Dunbar Buick was born at 26 Green Street, Arbroath on September 17th in 1854.
He emigrated to the USA with his parents at the age of two. Although he founded the Buick Manufacturing Company which later became General Motors, Buick’s early success was largely due to his patented process for bonding porcelain to iron, a process that helped fuel the craze for white porcelain bathtubs.But Buick wasn’t all about tubs.
In 1899, after becoming engrossed in this new technology known as gasoline engines for automobiles, Buick established the Auto Vim and Power Co. to produce engines for farm and stationary use. He sold his plumbing business for $100,000 to raise capital for his new venture and began tinkering with using the engines he produced to power four-wheeled vehicles. Two years later, he founded the Buick Manufacturing Company to make engines for various car makers and to make cars himself.
Unfortunately Buick,although a brilliant craftsman was a terrible businessman, he actually only made 120 cars along with his partner Ben Briscoe, before selling his remaining share to William C. Durant who insured that the company grew successfully, so although countless cars have bore his name David Buick died of cancer on March 5, 1929. At the times of his death he was working as an inspector at a Detroit trade school. Buick, the man, was all but forgotten.
It iwas said in 1921 that had Buick been able to keep his shares in the firm, they would have been worth more than $10 million at that time. Their value today would be almost incalculable.
Buicks are still made, the company has produced over 35 million vehicles since its founding in 1903, with more than 80% of its current vehicles being made in China, it's main market, but the cars baring the Scotsman's name are also sold, in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Buick’s current lineup includes a broad range of sedans, SUVs, and MPVs, serving customers across the mainstream and premium segments
