Category: Buick Regal

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Buick Regal Named NADA Guides’ 2011 Car of the Year

Recognized for Performance, Styling, Fuel Efficiency, Price Point and Cost of Ownership

LOS ANGELES – The 2011 Buick Regal won the Car of the Year Award from NADAguides, a leading provider of vehicle pricing and information, at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on Wednesday.

The Buick Regal beat 10 other contenders based upon a combination of factors, including performance, styling, design, fuel economy, safety features, cost of ownership and price point.

“The Buick Regal has had a revolutionizing effect on Buick,” said Troy Snyder, director of product development for NADAguides. “The brand is definitely on the right road and it’s clear that the Regal is just the beginning of Buick great vehicles to come.”

In September, when NADAguides honored Regal with its Car of the Month Award, the publication praised the sedan’s fuel-efficient 182 HP direct-injection 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine and Four-Link Independent Rear Suspension for providing a smooth ride “fit for a king.”

NADAguides also noted Regal’s use of Bluetooth® connectivity, OnStar, USB port for MP3 devices, and voice-activated navigation as clear indications that “Buick knows all about modern advanced technology.”

“The NADAguides Car of the Year award confirms the growing momentum building around Buick,” said John Schwegman, U.S. vice president of Buick & GMC Marketing. “The Regal delivers a dynamic driving experience that competes with the best import sport sedans in the mid-size sport car segment.  Moreover, this smart, sleek, top-safety-rated car is helping to attract new customers to the Buick brand.”

Based in part on customer demand for the new Regal, Buick’s retail sales have grown 50 percent in 2010 as of October, with 39 percent of Regal customers coming out of a non-General Motors’ make.

Regal also is a semifinalist for the 2011 North American Car of the Year awards, as voted by a jury of 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. The sporty sedan has award-winning DNA, being based on the Opel Insignia – recipient of 31 prestigious awards, including the 2009 European Car of the Year.

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Buick Regal Turns Up the Heat in November

LaCrosse and Enclave Help Stoke Buick’s 14th Straight Month of Sales Gains

DETROIT – Consumer attraction to the all-new Buick Regal continued to heat up in November as NADAguides’ 2011 Car of the Year posted its best sales month since its launch earlier this year.

“Regal is definitely helping us reach new customers, including import owners,” said Sam Slaughter, dealer principal, Sellers Buick GMC in Farmington Hills, Mich. “We’re seeing BMWs and Lexuses traded in as well as Fords and Lincolns. And we expect the Regal Turbo to bring in even more, especially import owners looking for more performance.”

Regal’s rise reflects car buyers’ increasing awareness of Buick’s resurgence among luxury vehicle brands. The fastest-growing major automotive brand in the United States posted its 14th consecutive month of year-over-year retail sales gains in November with a 37 percent increase. Customer demand for Regal, along with LaCrosse and Enclave, has grown Buick’s retail sales 49 percent to date in 2010. Retail sales are those made to individual buyers.

“With each passing month, Regal is attracting new customers to Buick showrooms and leaving dealer lots faster than many cars in the midsize segment,” said Brian Sweeney, U.S. vice president of Buick & GMC Sales and Service. “Most impressively, 40 percent of Regal buyers are coming from non-GM brands and 28 percent are coming from imports.”

Regal is a semifinalist for the 2011 North American International Car of the Year awards, as voted by a jury of 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada.

In November, LaCrosse also posted year-over-year gains with retail sales up 15 percent year over year and 135 percent for the calendar year to date. Total sales for LaCrosse were up 20 percent year over year and 141 percent year to date.

Enclave also saw an increase in retail sales, up 32 percent versus November 2009 and up 26 percent year to date for its second-best month of the year. Likewise, total sales for the luxury crossover were up 25 percent for the month and 29 percent so far this year.