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Buick Achievers Announces $1.18 Million in Scholarships

Buick Achievers Announces $1.18 Million in Scholarships

First four-year graduates get degrees as GM Foundation grants top $28 million

DETROIT – 06.04.2015 – The first four-year recipients to benefit from the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program are receiving their degrees this year as the General Motors Foundation today announced nearly $1.2 million in new scholarships of up to $25,000 a year for 50 students to pursue degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM.

Students can be selected for the scholarship after high school graduation or during any year of college study. Of the new class of recipients, 62 percent are first-generation college students and 68 percent come from diverse backgrounds. Nearly one in four have ties to the military, having served themselves or as dependents of a current or former service member.

To celebrate the combined achievements of the inaugural graduating class of Buick Achievers with the announcement of 2015 recipients, Diego Gonzalez, a Buick Achiever and 2015 San Diego State University graduate, teamed up with Buick last month to surprise high school senior Stewart Martin of Winston-Salem, N.C., with a $25,000 scholarship.

“Growing up, I loved racing. My dad told me about NASCAR engineers – and I chose that career path because it follows my dreams and it’s a way to connect with my father,” said Martin, whose father passed away when Stewart was a young child. “I’m so thankful for this scholarship. It brings me one step closer to following my dream.”

Martin plans to major in mechanical engineering at UNC Charlotte.

“The future of our country lies in technology and innovation and depends on a strong pipeline of highly skilled talent,” said GM Foundation Chairman Bob Ferguson. “Our scholarship program is helping bridge the gap between a skilled workforce and positions that companies are looking to fill.”

Since its inception in 2011, the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program has awarded more than $28 million in scholarships to more than 3,400 high school and undergraduate students nationwide. The scholarships are renewable for up to four years, with one additional year for students entering a qualified five-year engineering program.

“The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program has become one of the most impactful in the county, demonstrating our commitment to those students who excel while also giving back to their community,” said Duncan Aldred, U.S. vice president of Buick. “This graduating class serves as a testament to what this scholarship has done for so many students – put a college degree in hand, and set them on their way to further education or the start of their careers.”

Buick Achievers gives special consideration to females, minorities, first-generation college students, military veterans and military dependents.

General Motors and the GM Foundation have a long history of investing in education initiatives, investing more than $70 million since 2007. For example:

  • The GM Foundation provides approximately $3 million annually to key university partners and professional organizations to advance STEM curricula.
  • Last month, GM and the GM Foundation gifted $4 million to Kettering University to create dynamic automotive lab facilities that will provide a unique education for future engineers, scientists and industry leaders.
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Buick’s U.S. Crossover Sales Rise 22 Percent in May

2015 Buick Encore

Encore small SUV has best May ever; brand sales post best May since 2005

DETROIT – 06.02.2015 – Buick U.S. sales increased in May compared to a year ago on the strength of the brand’s crossover models. Buick Enclave deliveries were up 23 percent and the Encore was up 21 percent, for its 17th consecutive year-over-year sales increase.

Buick has sold more Encores this year than any other model, accounting for 30 percent of the brand’s retail sales.

“Buick was among the first to capitalize on the rapidly growing small SUV segment with the Encore, which appeals to buyers seeking luxurious features in a smaller and more efficient package,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president, Buick. “The Buick Encore has performed extremely well in its segment and we expect it will continue to do so.”

In its debut year, Encore scored at the top of its segment in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study – practically unheard of for a new model. In a recent owner survey, 96 percent said they were either satisfied or completely satisfied with their vehicle and 95 percent said they would recommend a Buick based on their experience with the Encore.

Autotrader.com recently named Encore one of its 10 Best Cars for Recent College Grads, citing its sleek exterior styling, premium interior, maneuverability, quality and fuel efficiency.

Earlier this year, Buick was the first U.S. automaker in the Top 10 in a popular consumer magazine’s annual ranking of automotive brands. At No. 7, Buick moved ahead of traditionally high-rated automakers such as Honda and BMW. Eighty-three percent of Buick models made it onto the magazine’s recommended list – the most for any brand.

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2016 Buick Enclave Adds OnStar 4G LTE Connectivity

2016 Buick Enclave

DETROIT – 05.18.2015 – Let the streaming commence! Passengers in the 2016 Buick Enclave can download on the go with OnStar 4G LTE connectivity. It includes a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, which can be used simultaneously by up to seven devices.

The Enclave’s connectivity upgrade brings 4G LTE and the Wi-Fi hotspot to the entire 2016 Buick model range, from Encore and Verano to Regal and LaCrosse – and the all-new Cascada convertible. The Wi-Fi hotspot is on whenever the vehicle is on and it comes with a three-month/three-gigabyte data trial.

“Customers’ daily lives are so entwined with personal devices, so the addition of OnStar 4G LTE and its integral Wi-Fi hotspot is a feature they will rely on,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. “It allows busy people to stay connected throughout the day and provides another outlet for passenger entertainment on long trips.”

4G LTE is the most current and fastest mobile data network – 10 times faster than 3G and 100 times faster than the previous generation of OnStar hardware. And with OnStar, it also offers stronger, broader coverage than smartphones on the same network.

Buick’s IntelliLink color touch radio is standard on all Enclave models and enhances the driving experience with a higher level of wireless connectivity and customized options – all while building on the safety and security of OnStar.

Six months of OnStar Directions and Connections service is standard. OnStar’s RemoteLink Mobile App allows smartphone users to control vehicle functions, access vehicle information and send directions directly to the vehicle. An opt-in service called FamilyLink allows subscribers to stay connected to loved ones by checking the location of their vehicle online or by signing up for vehicle location alerts.

Five Years of OnStar Basic Plan includes RemoteLink Key Fob Services, allowing owners to remotely start and lock/unlock a car (if properly equipped), and activate the horn and lights from anywhere with a data connection. It also includes OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics which runs monthly checks of a vehicle’s engine, transmission, antilock brakes and more. Dealer Maintenance Notification, which sends diagnostic report directly to a preferred dealer, makes service scheduling simple.