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Buick Sets Second Consecutive Annual Global Sales Record

Brand sells nearly 1.2 million vehicles with double-digit gains in U.S. and China

DETROIT– Buick delivered nearly 1.2 million vehicles in China, the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2014, marking the second consecutive sales record for the most Buicks sold in a single year in the brand’s 111-year history.

Strong growth in both China and North America resulted in global sales of 1,170,115 units, up 13.4 percent over 2013. China posted a 13.5 percent sales gain, while the U.S. delivered an 11.4 percent sales increase. Canada also saw strong sales growth, with a 31 percent increase over 2013. In the U.S., 42 percent of Buick buyers were new to the brand and to General Motors.

Buick experienced strong global growth in both crossovers and sedans from a product lineup that is among the freshest in the industry and the strongest the brand has ever featured.

The Encore small crossover ended 2014 with 138,218 sales globally, up 42 percent.  The eight-passenger Enclave exceeded 66,000 sales to set an all-time sales record in North America. Exclusive to China, the GL8 posted an annual sales gain of 14.6 percent, while the all-new Envision sold 19,747 units in the first two months and was named Motor Trend China SUV of 2015.

In the sedan segment, the China-exclusive Excelle again delivered high volume in the compact sedan segment, delivering 293,908 sales. The Excelle GT and Verano compact sedans combined globally to deliver a 22.4 percent gain, while sales of the Regal were up 27.2 percent.

Country 2014 Volume 2013 Volume Percent Change
China 919,582 809,918 13.5
United States 228,963 205,509 11.4
Canada 18,745 14,310 30.9
Mexico 2,825 2,319 21.8
Total 1,170,115 1,032,056 13.4%
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Expanded Crossover Lineup Drives March Sales Growth

Enclave sales remain strong as Encore deliveries ramp up

DETROIT – Buick sales were up 26 percent retail and 37 percent total in March. Combined with sales growth in January and February, the brand’s sales in March and for the first quarter were the best since 2006.

Enclave luxury crossover sales, up 38 percent to individual buyers and 55 percent total in March, have increased year over year every month since a 2013 redesign was introduced in November last year. Four in 10 used Enclaves traded in this year have been from drivers buying the new model and year-to-date retail sales are up 37 percent.

In late January, Buick’s crossover lineup grew with the addition of the Encore luxury small crossover. It arrived at dealers two months ago with a starting price of $24,950, including a $750 destination charge. Standard features include IntelliLink connectivity and a rear vision camera.

So far, more than 4,953 total Encores have been delivered, including 3,003 in March, the first full month of sales across the dealer network. Dealers like Autumn Henderson, general manager at Liberty Buick in Peoria, Ariz., are seeing a lot of new customers coming in.

“We sold our first three Encores on the day they arrived,” she said. “We’ve seen customers of a wide variety of age and background, with trade-ins like a Nissan Maxima, a Ford Edge, and other crossovers and sedans.”

The Encore’s combination of luxury, space and efficiency is the subject of media coverage. Autotrader.com named Encore to its list of “Top 10 Must Test Drive Vehicles for 2013,” and About.com included Encore among its “Best New Cars for 2013.” An EPA estimated fuel economy of 25 city/33 highway also earned the Encore a place on the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy list of “Greener Choices 2013.”

Last month, Buick received a 2013 Brand Image Award from KBB.com for being the “Best Value Luxury Brand.”

“Luxury customers want the space and high seating position of a crossover, but they don’t want to sacrifice quietness, luxury and efficiency,” said Brian Sweeney, vice president of Buick Sales and Service. “With the redesigned Enclave and new Encore, our dealers have a complementary set of vehicles that cover a wide range of needs while offering great standard and optional luxury features.”

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Four in 10 Buick Enclave Owners Returning for New Model

New and returning customers opting for more luxury amenities

DETROIT – The redesigned 2013 Buick Enclave luxury crossover is the brand’s best-selling model through the first quarter with retail sales up almost 40 percent. And it is a second-time-around choice for nearly four in 10 owners trading in a first-generation Enclave.

As it builds Buick brand loyalty, the Enclave also continues to pull in first-time Buick buyers as it has since being introduced in 2007.

“The new Enclave is the first model in the second generation of the modern, rejuvenated Buick brand,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of Buick Marketing. “In previous years we’ve talked about the new, younger, luxury-minded buyers coming to Buick for the first time. With the redesigned Enclave, we’re still seeing those new buyers, but we’re now also seeing the buyers who gave us a try with the first Enclave stay with us.”

When the Enclave launched in 2007, customers taking surveys gave reasons like “value/price” and “familiarity with dealer” among their top reasons for buying the brand’s other vehicles.  Enclave owners consistently list things like “overall quality of vehicle,” “ride comfort” and “overall exterior styling” as their top reasons for purchase.

First time and repeat Enclave buyers are choosing more luxurious amenities. In fact, 8 percent more owners select the top-level Premium Group.  And standalone options like 20-inch wheels, Rear Seat Entertainment, Bose audio, sunroof and navigation are more popular. For example, 15 percent more Enclave have been ordered with navigation so far in the 2013 model year.

Since the new model arrived at dealers in November, Enclave had its best retail sales month on record in December, followed by year-over-year retail growth of 57 percent in January and 22 percent in February.

“If you want a bellwether for the where the Buick brand is heading, look no further than the Enclave,” said DiSalle, “It’s a very modern, very smart crossover that delivers what our luxury-minded customers want.”

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