2013 Buick Encore Expected to Attract Young Buyers, Empty Nesters
Birmingham — General Motors Co.’s all-new 2013 Buick Encore — which the automaker expects will win young professionals and empty-nesters as customers — has begun shipping to U.S. dealers.
The company began shipments of the luxury small crossover last week to about 2,200 U.S. Buick dealers, who sold eight in the first weekend. The vehicle is built only in South Korea and inventory is expected to be tight, Tony DiSalle, vice president of Buick and GMC marketing said during an event Tuesday.
“We would expect this vehicle to turn very quickly on dealer lots,” he said.
U.S. Buick dealers have asked for six times the supply of Encores than the company had anticipated.
“The dealer enthusiasm is very, very strong,” DiSalle said.
The Encore, powered by a 1.4-liter turbo engine, starts at $24,950 and has a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated fuel economy rating of 25 miles per gallon city and 33 mpg highway. The small vehicle with plenty of storage space that can carry an eight-foot ladder, comes standard with 10 air bags and a rear vision camera.
The smaller crossover, which GM expects may compete with the Volkswagen Tiguan, BMW X1, Nissan Juke and Mini Countryman, gives the Buick brand five vehicles in its portfolio.
The brand is expected to roll out refreshed LaCrosse and Regal sedans in the next 12 months.
Buick officials would not comment on anticipated sales for the U.S. and DiSalle would not comment when asked if the company is considering building the Encore in the U.S.
Buick’s U.S. sales of 180,408 in 2012 were up 1.6 percent over 2011 totals. The company sold 41,042 of its new Buick Verano sedans, but sales of the Enclave SUV, LaCrosse and Regal were down compared to 2011.
But Buick said its retail sales — or those to individual customers — were up 6 percent in 2012, the highest level in six years.
DiSalle expects the Encore will help GM and Buick win customers from other automakers. The overall Buick brand’s conquest rate — or those who turn in a non-GM brand when buying a Buick — has risen from 28 percent in 2007 to more than 43 percent in 2012,and continues to climb, he said.
“I think the Encore is going to drive down the average age of Buick,” said Lloyd Biermann, marketing manager for the Buick Encore.
Source: [Detroit News]
