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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