2011-10-04
DETROIT - Debbie Cramer of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., was one of the first buyers of the new 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist™ in September when the fuel-efficient car's arrival at Buick dealerships helped the brand achieve two straight years of retail sales gains. Debbie and her husband, William, liked the car so much that they have already ordered one for him too."I love the styling and the technology is awesome," said Debbie Cramer, a Realtor who traded in her Toyota Avalon at Vince Whibbs Buick in Pensacola. "I wanted a nicer car with better fuel economy, and the LaCrosse has really impressed us."
LaCrosse with eAssist delivers an estimated 36 mpg on the highway by providing electric power assist during heavy acceleration. The eAssist system saves fuel by capturing energy during regenerative braking and shutting down fuel delivery in certain deceleration conditions. The eAssist system is the 2012 LaCrosse's standard powertrain.
"I'm very impressed by how smoothly the system operates and how unobtrusive the battery pack is in the trunk. The car is very spacious and comfortable, yet very frugal on fuel consumption too," William Cramer said. "I really hadn't imagined myself driving a Buick, but we were looking for something on the leading edge and this car delivers."
LaCrosse with eAssist is just one of the new models coming to Buick dealerships this fall. The technologically advanced Regal with eAssist and performance-oriented Regal GS are coming soon, and the all-new Verano compact luxury sedan arrives in November.
"With Regal GS, Verano and eAssist models joining the Buick lineup this fall, we expect the brand to continue growing," said Brian Sweeney, U.S. vice president of Buick and GMC Sales and Service. "There's never been a better time to discover the new Buick."
Buick's retail sales grew 24 percent in September, with total sales up 23 percent year to date. Buick outsold Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, Audi and Lincoln. The luxury brand's retail sales also grew 4 percent and its total sales grew 6 percent, year over year. Buick's top markets during September included Atlanta, Phoenix, Boston and Dallas.
Enclave led the way in September with retail sales up 9 percent and total sales up 10 percent year to date. Buick's luxury crossover's retail sales also improved 4 percent and total sales improved 10 percent year over year. Nearly one of every two Enclave buyers leaves a non-GM brand.
Regal, including Regal Turbo, also continues to attract new customers to Buick, with 45 percent of its buyers coming from non-GM brands year to date. In September, the midsize luxury sport sedan's retail sales grew 81 percent year over year, with total sales up 87 percent. The Turbo model accounted for 40 percent of Regal retail sales in September, and 32 percent year to date.
With more Regal model choices coming this fall, sport sedan shoppers can
drive the highly anticipated Regal GS, which recently won the 120-mph Grand
Touring class and earned the "Most Accurate Rookie" award in Nevada's Silver State
Classic Challenge.
"We are really fired up about the new Buick models," said David Ferraez,
president, Green Brook Buick, Green Brook N.J., whose sales are up 76 percent
year over year. "And we're totally excited about the new technologies on these
vehicles, like eAssist and IntelliLink. When you have great products with great
technologies, that's a recipe for fun."
2011-09-01
DETROIT - Buick achieved its 23rd consecutive month of retail sales gains in August, up 19 percent year over year, with total sales up 12 percent. The luxury brand's best sales month of the year delivered a retail sales gain of 27 percent and total sales gain of 25 percent year to date, with significant gains in Miami, San Francisco and Houston."Buick continues to grow by attracting customers who are new to the brand who demand premium technologies and fine-tuned performance in an affordable luxury package," said Brian Sweeney, U.S. vice president of Buick and GMC Sales and Service. "Luxury car and crossover shoppers have made Buick one of the fastest-growing automotive brands in the United States by choosing Regal, LaCrosse and Enclave over competitive models."
|
|
Aug. 2011 Total Sales (vehicles) |
Total Change vs. Aug. 2010 |
Retail Sales Change vs. Aug. 2010 |
CYTD Total Sales (vehicles) |
CYTD Total Sales Change vs. 2010 |
CYTD Retail Sales Change vs. 2010 |
|
Buick |
16,021 |
12% |
19% |
126,493 |
25% |
27% |
Regal, including Regal Turbo, achieved its best month since the car launched in spring 2010, with retail sales up 8 percent in August over July and total sales up 8 percent month over month. The Regal lineup options will double this fall with the introduction of the performance-oriented 2012 Regal GS and the fuel-efficient 2012 Regal with eAssist™.
LaCrosse saw its retail sales rise 3 percent in August over July. The 2012 LaCrosse with eAssist™, which is starting to arrive at dealerships, is expected to deliver class-leading highway fuel economy of 36 mpg.
Enclave's best month of 2011 delivered a month-over-month retail sales increase of 7 percent over July, and 14 percent year over year. One reason for the Enclave's sales success is its fuel economy, 24 mpg highway (FWD), which is better than any eight-passenger crossover.
Enclave, a four-time winner of Consumer Digest's Best Buy award, has the highest "conquest" rate of any Buick, with 41 percent coming from non-GM brands. Approximately 25 percent of Enclave buyers come from imports. Forty-four percent of all Buick buyers come from non-GM brands.
2011-08-31
DETROIT - Phillip Barr of Gilbert, Ariz., describes himself as a "car junkie." The 26-year-old executive assistant has owned at least 10 cars, including two BMWs, two Mercedes-Benzes and a Porsche. He recently sold his Toyota Prius to buy a 2012 Buick Regal Turbo at Henry Brown Buick GMC outside of Phoenix."Regal Turbo had all of the options I wanted with a luxurious interior and smooth ride comparable to a Mercedes," Barr said. "Honestly, I'd be the last person you'd think would buy an American car, but GM has really stepped up its game with the Regal Turbo to compete with the imports. It's just as nice to drive as the BMWs and Mercedes I've owned for a fraction of the cost with a lot more options."
Regal sales in August are on track to be the best since car launched in spring 2010. Approximately 45 percent of Regal buyers are coming from non-GM brands. In July alone, Regal outsold other similarly sized sport sedans, including Volkswagen CC, Lexus IS 250/350, Audi A4 and Volvo S60. Regal's steady month-over-month gains have helped Buick glide through recent turbulence in the luxury vehicle segment.
Regal Turbo has accounted for a third of the sport sedan's retail sales since its launch this past spring. The turbo's 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine delivers better horsepower and torque than the Acura TSX and Volkswagen CC, and with its manual six-speed transmission, it also delivers better fuel economy, with an EPA-rated 32 mpg highway.
Buick will double its Regal lineup this fall with the introduction of the performance-oriented 2012 Regal GS and the fuel-efficient 2012 Regal with eAssist™.
U.S. News & World Report recently named Regal the Best Upscale Midsize Car for Families for 2011, ranking it No. 1 out of 21, based on analysis of 27 published reviews; test drives of Regal, and analysis of reliability and safety data. The magazine said that "Among midsize cars, the Regal shines with performance that balances fuel economy and power, handling and ride comfort."
Rachel Hayes of Phoenix said she "fell in love" with the Regal when she saw it on the showroom floor at Liberty Buick in Peoria, Ariz. The 29-year-old social worker said she's received nothing but compliments for it.
"The new Regal is way more stylish and sexy than the old Regal, and it has a
great sound system," said Hayes who previously owned a 2008 LaCrosse. "Buick is
the new Lexus. Everyone I've shown my Regal to is completely surprised by it."
Buick noise and vibration engineers fine-tuned Verano to the highest standard of quietness by replicating the hushed interior of another luxury sedan - the Buick LaCrosse.
"By positioning the Verano against the very best, our noise and vibration team went above and beyond to deliver the quiet driving experience for which Buicks have become known," said Chuck Russell, Verano vehicle line director. "Quiet-tuning components and systems are built into every facet of the Verano's architecture."
Vehicles generate noise in a number of ways, including the transmission and gears, air induction and exhaust, electro and electromechanical parts, fuel delivery and brake function, as well as road and wind noise.
A dozen noise-reducing and noise-cancelling technologies are used throughout Verano's body structure for increased cabin isolation and quietness - all without adding net weight to the car:
In addition, Verano uses heat-activated baffles in various pillars, crossbars and other structural members to seal and close sections of the body structure that could transmit noise or allow water leaks. The heat-activated baffles are inserted at strategic areas of the body structure and expand in paint ovens to fill the structural cavities.
The sound of silence in the Verano resulted from hundreds of virtual and physical tests on the car's body structure, tires, chassis, interior and powertrain under a variety of conditions to eliminate or reduce noise, vibration and harshness. Road noise was measured on a variety of surfaces and in a wind tunnel, as well as in thermal and cold chambers. A four-post shaker rig was used to evaluate squeaks and rattles.
Among the 200 parts that typically come under scrutiny during noise analysis is the air induction system, which helps engine efficiency and performance. Special tuning elements were made to Verano's clean air duct to remove harsh frequencies during vehicle acceleration.
Verano's acoustic engine cover, alternator and refined engine accessory drive system are designed for quiet operation, and its six-speed automatic transmission allows the engine to operate at lower - and less noisy - speeds on the highway.
The use of more than 60 percent high-strength steel in Verano's structure helps eliminate squeaks and rattles because the body is stiffer.
"Verano was held to the highest standards, as accomplished on Buick Enclave, LaCrosse and Regal, and it achieves a new standard for interior quietness," said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing. "We're confident that luxury car shoppers will be hard pressed to find a quieter car at any price point on the market today."
2011-06-10
DETROIT - Starting June 11, two years of standard maintenance will now be part of purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned Buick vehicle as the nation's fastest growing major automotive brand continues to expand the benefits of owning a Buick.Owner Care is a first in the certified pre-owned vehicle industry featuring a two-year/30,000-mile standard vehicle maintenance program from the time of purchase. The program covers oil changes based on each vehicle's Oil Life Monitor system, tire rotations, and multi-point vehicle inspections at no charge to the owner.
The Buick Certified Pre-Owned program also offers a standard 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty if the standard Buick 4-year/50,000 mile limited warranty has expired. A rigorous 172-point inspection and reconditioning along with free trials of OnStar and Sirius/XM Satellite Radio are also standard.
"Whether purchasing a new or Certified Pre-Owned Buick, our customers place a high value on the overall experience of owning a Buick," said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing. "We believe our enhanced program offers our customers an outstanding experience from the moment they drive their Buick Certified Pre-Owned vehicle off of the lot."
According to Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations, adding more
value to the Buick Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle program will ultimately help the
new Buick vehicles retain value longer. "One of the most important things we can
do is manage the business to help maintain the value of Buick used vehicles,"
Johnson said. "This increased value gives potential new Buick customers more for
their trade-ins, thereby lowering their ownership costs."
2011-06-08
DETROIT -The 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist™, which is expected to deliver 25 percent better highway fuel economy than the current model, will be priced starting at $29,960 before an $860 destination charge."LaCrosse with eAssist is the smart choice for those who want great fuel economy without sacrificing the driving dynamics and passenger comfort that have made Buick the fastest-growing major automotive brand in the United States," said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing.
LaCrosse with eAssist uses a variety of advanced technologies and body enhancements to deliver up to 37 mpg highway fuel economy, better than the Lexus HS Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, as well as non-hybrids like the Acura TL, Lexus ES350 and Lincoln MKS. eAssist will be the standard powertrain for LaCrosse, which will be built at the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kan.
The fuel economy boost that LaCrosse with eAssist offers comes from state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery system and electric motor-generator that enables regenerative braking capability. This "light electrification" system also will be available on the 2012 Buick Regal later this year.
Although eAssist is the standard powertrain, a new, more powerful and more efficient version of the direct-injected, E85-capable 3.6L V-6 with variable valve timing, Is available at no additional cost on select trim levels. The front-wheel-drive 3.6L model is rated at an SAE-certified 303 horsepower (226 kW) - an improvement of 23 hp - and 264 lb.-ft. of torque (358 Nm). An all-wheel drive version, which is yet to be rated, also is available.
The 3.6L engine's new, integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold design and a composite intake manifold help reduce its weight by more than 20 pounds (9 kg), which increases horsepower without any loss in fuel efficiency. The direct-injected engine also warms up faster, which can cut emissions of unburned hydrocarbons by up to 25 percent.
Additional new standard features for 2012 include dual-zone climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, full-color driver information center, and Bluetooth and USB connectivity.
Later in the year, LaCrosse with eAssist will come with standard Buick IntelliLink, which uses Bluetooth or USB to connect the driver's smartphone to a new 8-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen display radio. IntelliLink expands on Buick's current Bluetooth and USB capabilities to allow smartphone control via voice activation and steering wheel-mounted controls. It also enables streaming stereo audio from the phone through services like PANDORA® Internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio®.
Most importantly, Buick IntelliLink enables seamless integration of stowed portable devices with each vehicle's infotainment system, allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
"LaCrosse with eAssist is the most advanced LaCrosse to date," DiSalle said.
"The winning combination of advanced technology, no-compromise driving
performance and luxurious style and passenger comfort stand to make LaCrosse
with eAssist a must-have sedan."
2011-06-03
PONTIAC, Mich. - Anyone who has ever played the game "telephone" knows that the more times a message gets passed along, the less accurate it will be when it gets to its destination. The same thing applies to feeding fuel to an engine.Across-the-board use of direct injection in the Buick lineup is helping to take translation layers out of the delivery process to reduce both fuel consumption and emissions. Buick is the only domestic brand powered exclusively by direct injected engines.
Direct injection has enabled fuel economy improvements of up to 3 percent on the Buick Enclave, LaCrosse, Regal and the upcoming Verano - without sacrificing performance and still meeting the world's most-stringent emissions requirements.
Over the past three decades, fuel delivery systems have evolved from the relatively primitive carburetor that relied on the Bernoulli effect to draw fuel through a tiny jet as air accelerated by, to the more-precise throttle body injection that gave way to port and finally direct injection.
Today's high-pressure direct injectors deliver fuel to the point of combustion in the cylinder so fuel doesn't get left behind on manifold walls or evaporate up out of a carburetor.
The demise of the carburetor ended problems like flooding and vapor lock and direct injection brings several benefits over the more recent sequential port fuel injection systems.
"The 2,200 pounds per square inch of pressure that feeds the injectors provides a more atomized and precisely metered fuel spray to each cylinder before every combustion event," said Ecotec chief engineer Mike Anderson.
When used on boosted engines like the 2.0-liter Ecotec Turbo in the Regal and the upcoming Regal GS, direct injection also provides a charge cooling effect.
"Spraying fuel directly into the combustion chamber reduces the temperature of the compressed mixture as the fuel evaporates, which enables a higher-compression ratio, allows for more spark advance, and reduces fuel consumption" said Anderson. "The beefier low-end torque and improved drivability of the direct-injected 2.0L turbo makes it a no compromise high-efficiency substitute for a bigger and heavier V6."
Engines with direct injection also warm up faster thanks to the ability to add a second injection pulse right before the spark plug ignites the fuel following a cold start. This faster warm up can cut emissions of unburned hydrocarbons by up to 25 percent.
With direct injection, the 220 horsepower Regal Turbo beat the Acura TSX by 19 hp and 88 pound-feet of torque from just 2,000 rpm while still achieving up to 32 mpg on the highway, an advantage of 4 mpg. The Enclave is the most fuel efficient eight-passenger crossover on the market with an EPA estimated 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
Back to Top2011-06-01
DETROIT - Buick achieved its 20th consecutive month of retail sales gains in May, growing 18 percent year over year with total sales up 24 percent. The brand's retail sales also have increased 39 percent and its total sales are up 38 percent for the first five months of the year, with significant gains in Miami, New York and Atlanta."Increasing demand for fuel-efficient luxury cars and crossovers has made Buick the fastest-growing major automotive brand in the United States," said Brian Sweeney, U.S. vice president of Buick & GMC Sales and Service. "We expect Buick's momentum to continue as we bring more new models to our showrooms throughout the year."
The fuel-efficient LaCrosse with eAssist arrives this summer and the all-new Verano luxury compact goes into production this fall.
Among the key factors in Buick's sales success is the Regal sport sedan, which went on sale last May. MSNBC recently ranked Regal among its 10 most-improved vehicles of 2011, praising "the sleek, racy new Regal" as looking "like nothing that would have graced a Buick showroom just a few years ago."
Regal commands one of the highest conquest rates among Buick vehicles, with 46 percent of buyers coming from a non-GM brand and 22 percent of those customers trading in imports, which has helped Buick gain share in key markets like New York and Florida.
Fueling interest in the sport sedan is the increased availability of the all-new Regal Turbo, which accounted for a third of Regal's retail sales in May. The turbo's 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine delivers better horsepower and torque than the Acura TSX, and with its manual six-speed transmission, it also delivers better fuel economy, with an EPA-rated 32 mpg highway.
"Regal Turbo is an all-around sharp-looking car," said Jason Duran of Atlanta, who recently purchased one. The 39-year-old vice president and general manager of the Alpharetta Family Skate Center said he fell in love with Regal Turbo when the Carl Black Buick dealership displayed the car at the sports and fitness facility.
"I'd considered BMW and Infiniti, but Regal Turbo really impressed me," Duran added. "I love the sleek look. It accelerates and handles like a sports car, and it's very comfortable and roomy. It was an easy decision to make."
The Regal lineup will grow in the second half of the year with the introduction of the performance oriented 2012 Regal GS and fuel efficient 2012 Regal eAssistTM.
The eAssist "light electrification" system coming to Regal later this year will debut on the LaCrosse full-size sedan this summer. The 2012 LaCrosse with eAssist is expected to deliver class-leading highway fuel economy of 37 mpg.
Fuel-efficient crossovers also are in demand, with retail sales of Enclave up 14 percent and total sales up 11 percent, calendar year to date. One reason for the Enclave's sales success is its fuel economy, 24 mpg highway (2WD), which is better than any eight-passenger crossover, including Acura MDX.
Enclave, a four-time winner of Consumer Digest's Best Buy award, has the
highest conquest sales rate of any Buick, with 49 percent coming from non-GM
brands. Approximately 41 percent of all Buick buyers come from non-GM brands and
18 percent come from imports.
2011-05-26
DETROIT - Buick, the fastest-growing major automotive brand in the United States, is set to net meals for kids in need at the 2011 NCAA® Men's Lacrosse Championships in Baltimore this weekend.For each participant in the Buick LaCrosse Challenge at the tournament's NCAA Fan Zone on Saturday through Monday, Buick will donate one meal to a child in need through Lacrosse the Nations, a non-profit organization founded in part by Ohio State University graduate Greg Bice, a 2003/04 All-American and 2004 Great Western Lacrosse League Player of the Year.
In addition to being the fastest-growing collegiate sport over the last five years, LaCrosse is the name of Buick's full-size luxury sedan and its latest variant, the 2012 LaCrosse with eAssist™, which launches this summer and is expected to get an estimated 37 mpg hwy.
Bice and Lacrosse the Nations were previously featured in a 60-second video produced for the Buick Human Highlight Reel, a collection of videos that tell inspiring true stories about former NCAA student-athletes who are making a difference in communities around the globe.
"Buick's continued partnership with the NCAA is helping groups like Lacrosse the Nations make a positive difference in communities around the world," said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick marketing. "By shining a light on these winning efforts, Buick hopes to inspire others to go above and beyond to help others achieve their fullest potential in life."
The Buick Human Highlight Reel launched in March during the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship. The original collection of seven stories produced by Turner, CBS and the NCAA has grown to include more than 40 user-generated videos created by fans or producers in association with Zooppa, a creative social network with more than 106,000 members. This platform enables Buick to help fans celebrate athletes from all 23 NCAA Championship sports.
The filmmaking project complements the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program,
which is providing up to $4.5 million a year in scholarship funds to 1,100
college-bound students nationwide who excel both in the classroom and in the
community.