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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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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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Buick Delivers Best February Sales Since 2004

Verano, Enclave and Encore help drive retail sales growth of 13 percent

DETROIT – Buick’s February retail sales were the best since 2004 with a 13 percent year-over-year increase, the 10th consecutive month of higher sales to individual customers. Total sales, including those sold to executive fleets and other commercial customers, were up 15 percent.

Buick’s newest models continue to drive retail sales growth, with Enclave, Verano and the all-new Encore leading February’s gains. The Enclave luxury crossover SUV continues its sales momentum for the fifth consecutive month with retail and total sales up 22 and 26 percent year over year respectively. Both represent the best February ever for the Buick Enclave.

The Verano compact luxury sedan continues to sell well representing a significant growth over 2012. One in two Verano customers come from outside General Motors’ brands and the luxury sedan was recently named U.S. News and World Report Top 2013 Cars for the money.

The all-new Encore small luxury crossover is off to a strong start with more than 1,834 sold since shipping to dealerships began in mid-January.

“New models like the Verano and Encore continue to bring new customers to Buick showrooms,” said Brian Sweeney, vice president of Buick Sales and Service. “With the introduction of the redesigned Enclave, we are seeing a new generation of loyalists returning to the showrooms for another Buick.”