09 May 2010

Buick Hails Better Sales, New Models, Younger Buyers

USA Today

When you think of hot car brands with lots of mojo right now -- Hyundai and Ford come instantly to mind -- there's one other famous name that might be overlooked: Buick.

Tiger Woods' former favorite is the subject of a lot of favorable news today, such as:

    * Better sales. General Motors says the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, shown above, just posted its best sales month in April since it was introduced. Sales are up 237% from a year ago, with demand so strong that GM has added a third shift its Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kan.

    * Younger buyers. The Los Angeles Times ran a story today headlined "Buick Pulls Off a Dramatic U-Turn" about the comeback in the brand. The best news for GM, writes Jerry Hirsch, is that Buick is actually attracting younger buyers. But don't get too ramped up: From an average buyer age of 64 three years ago, today's Buick customer is now 61, says J.D. Power and Associates.

    * New models. Buick plans to add three new vehicles to broaden its appeal. Besides the new midsize Regal on the way, Buick will also bring a compact car and small crossover, reports Scott Burgess in the Detroit News. Buick will have such a young line that by 2013, the oldest vehicle will be the Regal, due to be introduced in the next couple months.

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