Buick Consumers say Buy, Buy, Buy

Buick’s recent ground-up redesign has done wonders for sales. The company’s first quarter numbers show retail and total sales up 49 and 39 percent respectively. March ended as Buick’s 18^th consecutive month showing growth in retail and total sales. Around 38 percent of Buick buyers have most recently had non GM vehicles. Nearly half of those were import vehicles.

“Regal, LaCrosse and Enclave continue to attract new-to-Buick buyers seeking fuel efficiency, luxury and style in the midsize sedan, full-size car and crossover segments,” said Brian Sweeney, U.S. vice president of Buick & GMC Sales and Service. “We fully expect the arrival of the fuel-efficient LaCrosse with eAssist and all-new Verano luxury compact to attract even more new customers to Buick.”

The newly redesigned Regal launched in April of 2010 and has been a key contributor to the automaker’s increased sales figures. The Regal’s sales increased sharply in March of this year due to the introduction of the Regal CXL Turbo, which accounted for 30 percent of Regal’s March sales. The turbo 2.0 liter provides better horsepower and torque than can be found in the Acura TSX, as well as better fuel economy. Paired with a six speed manual transmission, this Regal is a screaming 32 mpg highway machine.

The Regal isn’t the only Buick model with sales on the rise. Retail sales for the LaCrosse showed a 4 percent increase in the first quarter of 2011. The 2012 LaCrosse will feature GM’s new eAssist technology. The eAssist uses an electric motor coupled with lithium-ion batteries to harness the kinetic energy created during braking. This electric power is used for starts and stops as well as to provide a power boost when cruising, if needed.

The eAssist system uses power stored in the battery to provide needed electrical boost in various driving scenarios, optimizing engine and transmission operation. An advanced 115V lithium-ion battery and latest-generation 15-kW induction motor-generator unit help increase fuel economy through:

    * Regenerative braking, which provides up to 15 kW of electricity to charge the battery

    * Providing up to 11 kW (15 hp) of electric power assistance during acceleration

    * Automatic engine shut-off when the vehicle is stopped

    * Aggressive fuel cut-off during deceleration down to zero vehicle speed, enabled by the torque smoothing provided by the induction motor-generator unit

    * Intelligent charge/discharge of the high-voltage battery.

“The capability to deliver electric boost to the powertrain system during heavy acceleration and grade driving enables the engine and transmission to operate more efficiently,” said Steve Poulos, global chief engineer of the eAssist system. “Full fuel shutoff at stops and during deceleration complements electric boost and regenerative braking with additional fuel savings.” 

The Enclave, which is in its fourth year, showed its strongest sales in 2010 and continued to grow by 24 percent in the first quarter of this year. It has the highest rate of cross-over buyers of any Buick, attracting 46 percent formerly non-GM buyers. A major draw for the Enclave is its 24 mpg highway ride combined with eight passenger comfort.

“Fuel efficient vehicles and positive word of mouth continue to draw new customers to Buick showrooms,” Sweeney said. “Consumer interest in the brand also is evident by a 31-percent year-over-year increase in traffic at Buick.com, which is an important sales generator.”

For more information about these and other great Buick vehicles in the Milton, FL area, go to McKenzie Motors’ website at http://www.mckenziemotors.com