Tag: enclave

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Buick Enclave Blows the Bell Curve

Buick Enclave Sales Chart

Another year of record sales defies industry trends, fuels Buick’s global momentum

DETROIT – Buick Enclave’s 62,300 sales in the United States in 2014 represented the second consecutive year of record sales for Buick’s flagship crossover and built on momentum that has barely paused since its launch in mid-2007.

While most vehicles follow somewhat of a bell curve for sales during their lifecycle, the Enclave has continued on an upward trajectory after more than seven years. Minor dips in 2009 and 2012 reflected overall trends in the recovering auto industry, but record-setting 2014 sales represented a 39-percent increase over the Enclave’s first full year of production.

More than 450,000 Enclave models have been sold worldwide since its launch.

Enclave U.S. sales history

2007: 29,286 (mid-year introduction)
2008: 44,706
2009: 43,150
2010: 55,426
2011: 58,392
2012: 56,703
2013: 60,534
2014: 62,300

“Few vehicles in any segment of the industry enjoy such a legacy of increasing popularly,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. “In fact, many customers are enjoying their second or third Enclave. The Enclave has also been a cornerstone of Buick’s product renaissance, which saw a second consecutive year of record global sales in 2014.”

Said Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book: “The Buick Enclave was really the perfect vehicle at the perfect time. It instantly expanded the brand’s reach by offering an attractive and functional SUV with luxury amenities. The three-row SUV segment was struggling in 2007, yet the Enclave drew a core group of buyers upon release and has continually expanded that group as SUV interest grew in recent years.

“This consistent growth curve is testament to how ‘right’ Buick got the Enclave at launch, along with how effectively the brand has supported its full-size SUV in the following years,” Brauer said.

Enclave received Kelley Blue Book’s 2014 5-Year Cost-to-Own award for the full-size luxury SUV/crossover category.

For 2015, the Enclave adds a heated, wood-trimmed steering wheel to its roster of luxury features. It is offered in three trim levels: Convenience (1SD), Leather (1SL) and Premium (1SN). All-wheel drive is available on Leather and Premium trims, and all models are powered by a direct-injected 3.6L V-6 that delivers an EPA-estimated 24 mpg on the highway (FWD models).

Experience Buick Protection on all 2015 Buick models includes two years/24,000 miles of scheduled maintenance, including oil changes, oil filter changes and tire rotations. It complements Buick’s four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain limited warranty.

“The Enclave continues to attract new and returning customers to its mix of its outstanding design, performance and safety features,” Aldred said.

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2015 Buick Encore Receives 5-Star Overall Safety Rating

2015 Buick Encore Receives 5-Star Overall Safety Rating

Entire 2015 Buick portfolio posts top New Car Assessment Program ratings

DETROIT – Contrary to its compact figure, the 2015 Buick Encore delivers big when it comes to safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave both front- and all-wheel drive Encore models a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score after extensively testing both models in its New Car Assessment Program.

As a result, buyers can find models with a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score throughout Buick’s range of 2015 model year vehicles: the Verano, Regal, LaCrosse, Encore and Enclave.

“Consumers are consistently surprised to discover Encore provides the characteristics they expect in our larger offerings – style, sophistication, connectivity and comfort,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. “NHTSA’s evaluation affirms Encore lives up to Buick’s safety reputation.”

Encore’s five-star ranking reflects its performance in NCAP front, side and rollover tests. Encore also received a five-star score on a side pole impact test, which simulates hitting a tree just behind the driver’s side A-pillar at 20 mph.

The 2015 Encore’s strength comes from a strong body structure, 66 percent of which is formed from high- and ultra-high strength steel. Encore also offers 10 standard air bags, including driver and front passenger frontal air bags, driver and front passenger knee air bags, front and rear thorax air bags for all outboard seating positions, and side curtain air bags.

Encore offers available safety features, including rear cross traffic alert and side blind zone alert systems with the Convenience Package. Encore Premium models offer front- and rear-park assist, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning.

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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.”

Talk about the Buick Encore and Buick Enclave in our live community!