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Buick’s Global Momentum Builds Throughout First Quarter

Buick Encore

DETROIT — Coming off a strong 2017, Buick momentum continued into 2018’s first quarter with global sales up 9 percent year over year. This growth comes as new products such as the LaCrosse Avenir and updated Envision have begun arriving to customers globally, and amid the launch of an all-new family of Regals. Demand for the Regal has grown rapidly in China since the new model launched last summer, with sales up 35 percent year over year, while Regal Sportback, GS and TourX (U.S. only) availability continues to ramp up in North America.

Buick’s family of three SUVs fueled the brand’s first-quarter growth, with Encore sales surging in the U.S. and Canada and strong Enclave sales in Mexico. Encore had its best retail sales quarter ever in the U.S., and Encore retail sales were up 32 percent year over year in Canada.

The 2018 Enclave launch momentum continues to build, bringing in a growing number of new Buick customers and more affluent customers in the first quarter, with U.S. average transaction prices (ATPs) up more than $5,000 year over year. Total Enclave sales in North America were up 8 percent year over year in the first quarter.

Enclave’s shift upward in the market demonstrates the early popularity of Avenir, Buick’s new luxury sub-brand. More than 22 percent of Enclave North American retails sales have been Avenir models. An Avenir variant of the GL8 is also showing early success in China, while the LaCrosse Avenir just entered the market globally.



Buick’s growing popularity is accelerating the brand’s vision for a future with zero emissions, zero congestion and zero crashes, with an electrification strategy now unfolding in the Chinese market where demand is high. Current electrified Buick vehicles in China include the Regal, LaCrosse, Velite 5 and Velite 6—a recently announced plug-in hybrid arriving later this year. The recent reveal of the Enspire EV Concept also reinforces the brand’s commitment to electrification.

“There’s never been a time like this at Buick,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president, Global Buick and GMC. “This year marks the first full production year for many of our new models and the acceleration of our EV strategy. We’re growing sales and earning accolades that demonstrate how much Buick customers value the attainable luxury products and experiences Buick delivers.”

In the U.S., Buick customer experience was honored earlier this year, when J.D. Power recognized the brand as the mass market leader of Customer Service Index. Kelley Blue Book also recognized Buick as the Best Value Luxury Brand for the sixth consecutive year.



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Customer-Driven Updates Define 2019 Buick Envision

2019 Buick Envision

2019 Buick Envision

New design, performance and tech features starting at $32,990

DETROIT — Refined design cues, responsive performance enhancements and intelligent technology expand on the Envision’s growing popularity.

The 2019 Envision features a newly sculpted front and rear, signature grille and new wheel choices. With a focus on quality and safety, the design and engineering teams also welcomed input from current Envision owners to enhance the vehicle.

“Some of the 2019 Envision’s most notable changes are the results of listening to our customers,” said Elizabeth Pilibosian, Envision chief engineer. “Beneath the updated exterior are a number of changes guided by a goal of offering the most refined and pleasant driving experience possible.”

Envision highlights

  • New nine-speed automatic transmission for 2.0L turbo models. Buick now offers this innovative transmission on five models across the lineup.
  • 2.0L turbo engine offers increased vehicle performance of 252 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The engine and transmission updates produce 0-60 mph acceleration just under a half-second quicker than the 2018 model.
  • Engine stop/start deactivation switch — a Buick first in North America.
  • Single rate brake booster for improved overall brake performance that requires less effort.
  • Flexibility to switch between Adaptive Cruise Control and conventional Cruise Control.
  • Enhanced visibility on Rear Vision Camera.
  • Improved hands-free microphone for better call quality and better voice recognition.
  • The seat heating system warms up more quickly.
  • Next-generation wireless charging with wattage capability for fast and efficient charging, including iPhone8/iPhoneX compatibility.
  • Lighting upgrades across all trims: HID headlights standard on 2.5L models, bi-functional LED headlamps on 2.0L turbo models and LED wing signature lights on every model.
  • In-vehicle air ionizer that helps eliminate odors, reduce bacteria and provide better air quality.

Focus on the customer



Initial owner feedback and solid sales growth indicate the Buick Envision is delivering the luxury and features desired by compact SUV customers. Refinements across the 2019 Envision are aimed at providing the best that the vehicle offers, plus the flexibility and options customers desire most at a price point true to Buick’s attainable luxury promise. Pricing starts at $32,990 (excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment). All trim levels have been adjusted toward the heart of the premium compact SUV market, further positioning the Envision to capture the interest of loyal Buick owners looking to move up to the next-sized compact SUV and conquest buyers who are considering Buick for the first time.

“The Envision brings a tremendous growth opportunity for the Buick brand,” said Sam Russell, Buick marketing director. “The new pricing strategy not only puts the Envision in the heart of the industry’s largest segment, but also better positions it in relation to Encore, our top-selling nameplate.”

Nearly 60 percent of all Encore buyers come from outside General Motors. These new-to-Buick customers are increasingly return buyers, with nearly half of them likely to trade in their vehicle to buy another Buick SUV. In addition to attracting new customers to the Buick brand, the 2019 Envision is designed with these existing Encore customers’ evolving needs and preferences in mind.

Thoughtfully refined, inside and out

The Envision’s exterior has a sculpted front fascia, new grille and headlamps that align with the new face of Buick. Crisp horizontal lines on the front create a more premium look and feel, while redesigned taillamps, reflectors and side markers give the back end a wider and more athletic stance. New optional 19-inch wheels provide an expressive and distinct profile.

Premium lighting technology is featured on every 2019 Envision. HID headlamps with LED Buick signature lighting come standard, with the enhanced performance of bi-functional LED headlamps standard on the top two trims.

Under the hood, the Envision offers a balance of performance and efficiency with a nine-speed transmission on 2.0L turbo models that allows for an increase in torque from 260 lb-ft to 295 lb-ft and an improvement in acceleration.

A 2.5L inline four-cylinder engine mated with a six-speed automatic remains the standard powertrain for the 2019 Envision and goes unchanged from previous model years. It is offered in front- or all-wheel-drive configurations.

Driven by customer feedback, the 2019 Envision is equipped with a non-latching stop/start deactivation switch on the instrument panel that allows the driver to choose whether to use the auto-stop function. The calibration of the Envision’s stop/start technology has also been refined for an even more seamless experience.

The 2019 Envision offers a Buick-first Tire Fill Alert that lets a driver know when a tire has reached its recommended pressure level.

Other standard features include Buick’s signature QuietTuning; 10 airbags1, including side curtain and knee airbags; Rear Park Assist; and newly added Rear Seat Reminder2. Available features include Surround Vision, Safety Alert Seat and Forward Automatic Braking, among others3.

Every Envision comes equipped with an 8-inch diagonal infotainment system with Apple CarPlay4 and Android Auto5 compatibility, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot6 (an unlimited data plan for $20 per month7 is available through AT&T after trial period), a limited trial of OnStar8 and connectivity access at no additional cost. Along with other benefits such as the myBuick app9, the connectivity access features Smart Driver, an opt-in service designed to help Buick owners become better drivers.

The 2019 Envision goes on sale in the spring of 2018 and will be available in five trim levels starting at Envision ($32,990), Preferred ($34,495), Essence ($36,795), Premium ($41,695) and Premium II ($44,595). Prices exclude tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment.



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Buick LaCrosse Avenir Makes World Debut

2018 Buick LaCrosse Avenir

Buick’s highest expression of luxury, Avenir, expands to flagship sedan

With the arrival of the 2018 LaCrosse Avenir, Buick’s new sub-brand expands its offerings and provides customers a way to experience the highest expression of Buick luxury, regardless of whether they’re shopping for a car or SUV. First introduced with the 2018 Enclave that went on sale in October, Avenir features unique styling cues, an extensive set of standard features and exclusive premium materials for customers who want more.

“Nine out of ten LaCrosse buyers are choosing one of the top two trim levels — customers are signaling they want more from Buick,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick and GMC. “With even more content and an elegant look, Avenir adds a unique name and appearance for those who want the best of our attainable luxury.”

Like the Enclave Avenir, the LaCrosse Avenir’s design details were channeled from our award-winning concept cars for a more dramatic look, expressed through a unique three-dimensional mesh upper and lower grille paired with chrome wings. Avenir script badging on the front doors and exclusive 19-inch Pearl Nickel or available 20-inch Midnight Silver wheels create a commanding road presence and complement the LaCrosse’s timeless design.



“Exterior styling is very important to LaCrosse buyers, and its sculpted beauty withstands passing trends,” says Bob Boniface, global director of Buick Exterior Design. “For Avenir, we focused on maintaining the timelessness of the LaCrosse, while giving these customers subtle and tasteful details that elevate this car to a new level.”

Inside, Avenir-exclusive details include a Chestnut interior color theme, embroidered first-row headrests and Avenir-scripted sill plates. Features available on other LaCrosse models come standard on the Avenir, including a powerful 310-horsepower V-6, nine-speed automatic transmission, navigation and Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound premium audio, as well as a panoramic moonroof.

Additional available features include Ebony interior, Intelligent Twin-Clutch AWD, Dynamic Drive Package featuring continuous variable real-time dampening control and a suite of advanced safety features. The Buick LaCrosse Avenir will arrive at dealers in early 2018. Discuss the new Buick LaCrosse right here.

2018 Buick LaCrosse Avenir interior seats