USA - Buick earned the highest marks, 809/100 in J.D. Power’s 2016 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index 2016.

• J.D. Power study notes new owner education key to higher satisfaction

As Buick continues to delight customers with its beautiful, whisper-quiet and quality-driven cars and SUVs, it is also ensuring they have the greatest possible experience learning about their vehicles. J.D. Power’s 2016 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study ranks Buick the highest among mass market brands. 

A brand’s ability to help new-vehicle owners understand technology and enhance the overall ownership experience are key to high SSI rankings. 

In brand sales satisfaction rankings, Buick earned the highest marks with a score of 809 (based on a 1,000-point scale).

“We know a positive customer experience goes well beyond great product,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick Sales, Service and Marketing. 

“Our sales satisfaction ranking shows that our ability to deliver a meaningful purchase-to-ownership process is paying off for our customers well beyond when they leave our stores.”

The SSI Study is a comprehensive analysis of the new-vehicle purchase experience that measures customer satisfaction with their dealer. It is based on responses from nearly 29,000 buyers who purchased or leased their new vehicle in April or May of 2016.

USA - Buick has hit the million mark with three months still to go in the year, this represents a 23% growth so far this year.

• 23 percent year-over-year growth highest among major international brands

Through September, global Buick deliveries worldwide totaled 1,046,746 vehicles for 2016. At no other point in the brand’s 113 years of business has this milestone been reached so quickly. 

Compared to the same span in 2015, nearly 200,000 more customers have taken delivery of a new Buick car or SUV.

Buick’s year-over-year growth of 23 percent is the highest in the industry for major brands selling vehicles in both North America and China. With three months left in the year, Buick is on track for its fourth consecutive all-time global sales record.

“Demand worldwide continues to grow for attainable Buick luxury and the beautiful, quiet and comfortable cars and SUVs we offer,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick Sales, Service and Marketing. “We complement that driving experience with customer service that consistently ranks among the highest in the industry.”

Buick currently ranks as the second-largest passenger-car brand in China and outsells key competitors including Acura, Audi, Infiniti and Lincoln in North America. In the U.S, year-to-date retail sales are the highest in 11 years.

Buick’s modern, smart SUV lineup is fueling the nameplate’s international growth. The compact Envision is on pace for more than 200,000 global sales in its second year in the market. Sales in North America began in May and demand has been strong, with Envisions averaging just 23 days on dealer lots. That’s far below the industry average of 65 days.

The Encore small SUV has increased its global sales each year since its launch less than four years ago and had its best U.S. sales month ever in September with 7,197 deliveries. A redesigned 2017 Encore just started arriving at dealerships with a standard 8-inch touchscreen, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ― a suite of connectivity features not offered by any competitor.

Recent U.S. Buick buyers cite quality and value among their top reasons for purchase, and the brand continues to provide top safety ratings as well. In September, the new Envision was given a Top Safety Pick Plus by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ― the organization’s highest rating. The Cascada recently became the only convertible on sale today with a NHTSA 5-star rating.

USA RECALL #1 - Buick recalls the 2016 Verano for possible risk of fire in the engine bay.

RECALL Subject : Misrouted Fuel Line May Cause Fire

Report Receipt Date: AUG 11, 2016 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V595000 

Component(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 

Potential Number of Units Affected: 189 

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC

SUMMARY:

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to May 12, 2016, equipped with a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine. The engine fuel line assembly may be misrouted, allowing the fuel line to contact the surface of the engine.

CONSEQUENCE:

If the fuel line contacts the engine, the fuel line may wear, resulting in a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.

REMEDY:

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line assembly, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on August 19, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 54180.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

USA - Buick continues to build on a sound footing with nearly 700,000 units sold in the first six months of the year.

• Momentum speeds after three years of record global sales 

Among the top automotive brands — those selling more than 200,000 units internationally so far this year — Buick is growing at an unmatched pace. With 675,964 sales through June, Buick ended 2016’s first half up 20.1 percent over the same period in 2015.

In this year of rapid growth, Buick has risen to the fifth-largest passenger vehicle brand in China and is outselling key competitors including Acura, Infiniti and Lincoln in North America.

The growth has been fueled by core international products including the Encore small SUV, which this year surpassed a half-million sales since it was introduced 3.5 years ago. Encore has been a success story in every market, though North America has led the way thus far in 2016 with 36,365 sales through June.

Buick’s award-winning Envision compact crossover concluded its first full month of U.S. sales with 1,436 customer deliveries amid limited availability. A full model range starting at $34,990 launches for the 2017 model year this fall. The Envision has quickly become Buick’s best-selling model sold internationally, followed by Encore and LaCrosse.

Buick’s all-new LaCrosse flagship sedan is launching now. Beautifully crafted and thoughtfully innovative, the 2017 LaCrosse launches globally in the second half of the year as a showcase of design and technology for the brand. More than 950,000 customers worldwide have chosen the LaCrosse since the current model was introduced in 2009.

“2016 has been a year of optimism and excitement for Buick as we’ve outpaced our top competitors,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick Sales, Service and Marketing. “As new products continue to arrive to our stores, there’s never been a better time to take a fresh look at Buick’s range of premium SUVs and cars.”

Buick’s momentous 2016 has also included the launch of the Cascada convertible in the U.S. market and continued growth for the Excelle GT, Buick’s best-seller in China. Cascada, which offers a lower base price than an Audi A3 convertible but space and power similar to an Audi A5 convertible, has outsold both of those vehicles combined through the first half of the year.

In the U.S., Buick was named KBB’s “Best Value Luxury Brand” for the fourth year in a row.

Buick has been recognised in the J.D. Power Dependability Study, coming in third overall with the Verano

• J.D. Power Dependability Study SM ranks Buick third overall

Buick has been recognised in the J.D. Power 2016 Vehicle Dependability Study^SM (VDS), coming in third overall with the Buick Verano outperforming every other model as the industry’s most dependable vehicle.

Sixty percent of the brand’s 2013 models ranked highest in their respective segments.  In addition to the Buick Verano topping the Compact Car segment, the Buick LaCrosse was recognized as the segment leader in the Large Car segment for the second year in a row.  The brand’s top-selling vehicle, the Buick Encore, ranked highest in the Small SUV segment.

“Buick’s ranking is a demonstration of our mission to provide the best in reliability, quality and customer service,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick.  “As we enter an exciting year of vehicle launches, we will show both new and returning customers that quality continues to be a top priority for the brand.”

The J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study^SM (VDS) examines owner-reported problems in the past 12-months by original owners of 3-year-old vehicles. With its most recent J.D. Power accolade, the 2013 Buick Encore has now been recognized in all three studies for which it is eligible, including awards in the Initial Quality Study (IQS) and the Automotive Performance Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study for the Sub-Compact CUV segment.

Last year, Buick ranked highest among mass market brands for the second consecutive year in the J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Customer Service Index Study^SM.

USA - Buick is heading to teh third straight year of record sales with an estimated 1.2 millions units sold.

Buick will set a global sales record for the third consecutive year in 2015. In mid-December, annual sales surpassed last year’s record 1,170,115 vehicles driven by record sales in China and record crossover deliveries in the United States. Yearend sales for Buick are expected to surpass 1.2 million vehicles.

“Buick’s momentum is undeniable as new customers worldwide discover Buick’s lineup of beautiful, approachable premium vehicles,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick.

“We think 2016 will be another watershed year for the brand with the global launch of the new 2017 LaCrosse, the North American launch of the Envision, the U.S. launch of the Cascada, and the Chinese launch of a new Verano hatchback. Our products and our customer service have never been better.”

In China, Buick sales have surpassed 100,000 units for two consecutive months and annual sales are expected to reach 1 million units for the first time.  The all-new Excelle GT launched this year is the country’s bestselling model.

The popularity of crossovers has significantly contributed to brand growth in all markets. In the U.S., Encore small crossover sales have grown for 23 consecutive months and are on track to become the best sales in eight years for a single Buick model. Combined with China, Encore sales will top 140,000 vehicles globally.

Crossover sales industrywide have increased 3 percentage points in the U.S. this year, accounting for 40 percent of all new vehicles sold. At Buick, Encore and Enclave crossover sales account for 60 percent of U.S. Buick sales so far this year.

The GL8 and all-new Envision compact crossover ranked first and second respectively in the 2015 J.D. Power China Initial Quality Study (IQS) in the large SUV segment. The Envision, which was also named Motor Trend SUV of the Year in China, will end its first full year in production with more than 130,000 sales. It goes on sale in all North American markets in 2016. 

Buick has topped J.D. Power U.S. Customer Service Index rankings among mass-market brands for two straight years.

The new Cascada, Buick’s first convertible in 25 years, goes on sale in early 2016 in the U.S. The new 2017 LaCrosse – Buick’s most advanced sedan ever – launches globally next summer, and the award-winning Envision crossover arrives at North American dealers next summer. The new Verano hatchback and Verano GS are available for pre-order in China now.

USA - Distinctive sedans join Enclave Tuscan Edition, Encore Sport Touring in the Buick range.

Distinctive sedans join Enclave Tuscan Edition, Encore Sport Touring

Buick unveiled 2016 LaCrosse, Regal and Verano Sport Touring (ST) models today – sedans with distinctive exterior cues designed to set them apart from the pack.

Each features special 18-inch wheels with machined faces and black “pockets,” and a rear spoiler. They join the Enclave Tuscan Edition and recently announced Encore Sport Touring as special models expanding Buick’s lineup with more design-focused choices.

“Buick is reaching an all-new generation of customers by reinventing itself in terms of design, function and capabilities,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. “These new ST models underscore the importance of design choices, while complementing the safety, refinement and connectivity technologies that are drawing new customers to Buick dealerships.” 

The new Sport Touring sedans – and Encore Sport Touring – go on sale this fall.

LaCrosse Sport Touring includes Buick IntelliLink with Apple CarPlay capability, OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot, remote start, eight standard air bags (including rear-seat thorax air bags) and leather-trimmed seats – with heated front seats.

Regal Sport Touring includes a standard rear-vision camera system, heated front seat and leather-trimmed front and rear seats. It also comes with Buick IntelliLink with Apple CarPlay capability and OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot.

Verano Sport Touring includes dual-zone climate control, eight-way-adjustable power driver’s seat and heated front seats, along with Buick IntelliLink and OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot.

Experience Buick Protection on all 2016 Buick models includes the first two visits of scheduled maintenance services for two years/24,000 miles, whichever occurs first. It complements Buick’s four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain limited warranty.

NOVEMBER USA SALES - GM - The month provides GM with its best November for seven years.

• Best November ever for Chevrolet Spark, Cruze and Equinox
• Best November for GMC since 2001
• Best November for Buick since 2003

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) dealers in the United States delivered 225,818 vehicles last month for the company’s best November sales in seven years. Total sales were up 6 percent compared to a year ago, retail sales were up 5 percent and fleet deliveries were up 11 percent.

GM estimates that the seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) for light vehicles in November was 17.1 million, the highest November SAAR since 2003.  Calendar year to date, the SAAR is 16.5 million units, which is the upper end of the 16.0 million – 16.5 million range GM forecasted at the beginning of the year.

Demand in November was robust for everything from smaller cars and crossovers to big trucks – all segments where GM is strong. The Buick brand had its best November since 2003. GMC had its best November since 2001, and the GMC Sierra had its best November sales ever.

At Chevrolet, the Spark, Cruze and Equinox also had their best November sales ever, Silverado had its best November since 2006 and Traverse had its best November since 2010.

“The buzz around Black Friday helped drive strong showroom traffic but there was a lot more at work in the market,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. 

“More people have jobs and job security, their wages are starting to increase, household wealth is growing and low pump prices look like they’re here to stay through 2015. All of this helped deliver an exceptional month and it will help keep auto sales at very healthy levels going forward.”

Additional November Highlights (vs. 2013 except as noted)

Chevrolet:

• The Cruze was up 26 percent, Spark was up 64 percent, Sonic was up 3 percent.
• Silverado was up 24 percent, Tahoe was up 10 percent and Traverse was up 14 percent. 
• Dealers delivered 2,366 all-new Colorados, ahead of plan, with a low retail days supply of 21 days.

GMC:

• GMC was up 23 percent.
• The Sierra was up 57 percent and the Yukon was up 14 percent.
• The Terrain was up 13 percent and 854 all-new Canyons were delivered, which is ahead of plan.

Buick:

• Buick was up 27 percent.
• Encore had a 72 percent sales increase, LaCrosse was up 71 percent and Verano was up 22 percent.

Cadillac:

• Cadillac Escalade deliveries were up 75 percent, with the retail days supply very tight at 16 days.
• Sales of the CTS sedan increased 18 percent.

Average Transaction Prices (ATPs):    

• GM has now posted 26 consecutive months of year-over-year average transaction price (ATP) increases on the strength of new pickup trucks, SUVs and Cadillacs.
• ATPs were a record $35,600, according to J.D. Power PIN mid-month estimates, up $790 per unit compared to October and up $3,100 versus a year ago.

Incentives:

• Month over month, GM reduced incentive spending as a percentage of ATPs more than the industry average, according to PIN mid-month estimates, and the company has had the lowest incentives of all domestic automakers on an ATP basis in nine of the last 11 months.
• GM’s November incentive spending as a percentage of ATPs was 10.4 percent, down 1.2 points month over month, while industry average spending was 9.6 percent of ATP, down 0.1 points.
• In November 2013, GM’s incentive spending was 10.2 percent of ATP, and the industry average was 9.7 percent. 

Fleet and Commercial:

• Fleet sales were up 11 percent.
• Commercial sales were up 1 percent, marking the 13th consecutive month of year-over-year growth.
• Large SUV commercial fleet sales were up 87 percent and full-size pickup commercial sales were up 47 percent.

USA RECALL 6 - 2,990 Buick/Chevy models for engine block heater issues.

SUMMARY:

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.

CONSEQUENCE:

Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.

REMEDY:

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.