Buick Takes Blogger Design from ‘Pinboard to Dashboard

Buick Takes Blogger Design from ‘Pinboard to Dashboard

Interior designer and blogger Michael Wurm Jr. creates design concept for Encore

DETROIT – An interior designer and blogger who owns a bed and breakfast in Pennsylvania was chosen this week by lifestyle editors of major publications to have his Buick Encore “Pinboard to Dashboard” design showcased during the 2013 New York Auto Show.
Michael Wurm Jr., whose site, Inspired by Charm, has nearly 4 million followers on Pinterest, was selected by Buick with nine other influential design, fashion and food bloggers to create pinboards in the first-of-its-kind design program launched in October.
“It’s a blogger’s dream come true. From start to finish, I was checking out what the other participants were doing and I thought everyone had a strong design,” said Wurm. “I had no idea whose design would be selected because you really got to see everyone’s style and I was in love with all of them. I have a totally different perspective of Buick now.”
One of the fastest-growing social media platforms, Pinterest invites users to organize favorite products, designs, and other items on digital “pinboards.”
The goal for the creators was to showcase how the Buick Encore luxury small crossover spoke to their personal style and life passions.
Wurm’s ideas were initially selected as one of the top five most-creative Pinterest inspiration boards based on the response the pinboards generated online and input from the Buick team.  Those five boards were then translated into a digital, fashion-inspired Buick Encore Look Book to showcase each blogger’s unique artistic vision for his or her Encore.
A majority of the more than 20 lifestyle editors who voted from publications and outlets such as Lucky, Oprah, Woman’s World, Essence, Uptown, Good Housekeeping, TheHuffington Post and She Knows selected Wurm’s design.
Seventy-one percent of Pinterest’s nearly 25 million users are under the age of 45 and 50 percent are 25-44, an important market for the all-new Encore. To date, the “Pinboard to Dashboard” program has generated more than 17 million unique visitors, followers or users across Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and blogs.
“Knowing the Encore’s target audience spends a great deal of time online, and on Pinterest, we created a social strategy to reach them where they ‘live’,” said Lloyd Biermann, Buick Crossovers marketing manager. “Pinterest and this program help visually explain and reveal the beauty of the Encore from a third-party perspective. We were impressed by the level of creativity and inspiration these bloggers created with their pinboards.”
According to a recent Bizrate Insights study, 70 percent of Pinterest users say they use the site to get shopping inspiration, and 43 percent say they use it to associate with brands/retailers.
Wurm’s site shares his best furniture finds, home decorating tips, craft projects and delectable recipes.
The Buick Encore “Pinboard to Dashboard” program also featured these bloggers:

• Aly Walansky of A Little Aly-tude
• Katie Rodgers of Paper Fashion
• Jessica Sturdy of Bows & Sequins
• Julie Deily of The Little Kitchen
• Shannon Ables of The Simply Luxurious Life
• Julie Thigpen of Belle Maison 23
• Jeanne Chan of Shop Sweet Things
• Susie Anderson of We Are Not Martha
• Maia McDonald of Conundrum

The 2013 Buick Encore five-passenger luxury small crossover is designed and engineered for driver confidence and versatility. Powered by a 1.4L turbocharged engine, it has an EPA-estimated 33 mpg highway fuel economy, with a standard six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It features purposeful, intuitive and personalized technologies and connectivity including Intellilink and QuietTuning with Buick’s first use of Bose Active Noise Cancellation.

Source: [GM Media]

2014 Sierra Brings Bold Refinement to Full-size Trucks

2014 Sierra Brings Bold Refinement to Full-size Trucks

DETROIT – The all-new 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 full-size pickup is the most powerful, most advanced and most refined truck in the brand’s 110-year history. Sierra’s bold new exterior houses one of three all-new EcoTec3 engines, a fully updated cabin with available next-generation IntelliLink connectivity and other features designed for the most discerning truck owners.
“Our engineers and designers left nothing on the table when developing this latest Sierra pickup,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of GMC Marketing. “These trucks have all the power and capability that’s expected in today’s market, excellent fuel efficiency, plus a lot of unexpected, purposeful features developed with truck owners in mind.”
In addition to all-new design and technology, the 2014 Sierra boasts the longest list of standard features ever for a full-size GMC pickup. From connectivity solutions, to a standard tie-down system in the rear, to the segment’s only standard projector beam headlamps, many premium features are found on each and every all-new Sierra.
New EcoTec3 engines
Sierra’s engine portfolio is updated for 2014 with the goal of increased in power, torque and fuel efficiency across the board. There will be a 4.3L V-6, a 5.3L V-8 and a 6.2L V-8 offered, all from a shared EcoTec3 engine family. Each engine features standard direct injection, continuously variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management, which means they seamlessly switch to run on four cylinders during light-load driving to save fuel.
The increased power and efficiency of the new engines are the result of more than 10 million hours of sophisticated computer modeling, more than half of which were used to make the best of the combustion process.
The new 4.3L V-6 EcoTec3 engine will offer improved torque and towing capacity for the six in 10 truck owners who tow.
“Rather than adapting a V-6 intended for use in passenger cars, we built a new engine from the ground up based on the unique demands of a truck,” said Jordan Lee, powertrain chief engineer. “Sierra’s 4.3L shares its basic design architecture with the latest iterations of the V-8 engines that GMC owners have trusted for generations.”
Today’s Sierra offers the best V-8 fuel economy in the industry and the new 5.3L EcoTec3 engine features significant updates intended to make it even more efficient. The available 6.2L V-8 EcoTec3 is engineered to provide outstanding capability.
SAE-certified horsepower and torque ratings and EPA fuel economy estimates for the new Sierra are not yet available, but are expected to be finalized early next year.
With the new engine designs and additional developments, customers should expect Sierra’s second-generation Active Fuel Management to be more seamless and capable of operating longer in four-cylinder mode.
All three engines use lightweight aluminum blocks and heads and are mated with durable six-speed automatic transmissions. A “cruise grade braking” feature down-shifts the transmission on downgrades, which is intended to reduce brake wear. V-8 models use new, larger 9.5- and 9.76-inch rear axles with the strength to accommodate the engines’ higher output. Final power and torque ratings will be announced later.
Duralife brake rotors and electric power steering
Strong brakes are important for stopping trucks, whether they’re full of people, payload or both. The 2014 Sierra features four-wheel disc brakes with Duralife brake rotors, which feature a hardened and strengthened surface to reduce corrosion. Duralife rotors – a GM-exclusive technology – are expected to last twice as long as conventional rotors and provide quieter braking with less vibration.
The 2014 Sierra also uses electric power steering. An electric motor in place of an engine-driven hydraulic pump saves fuel and allows for tuning that’s expected to result in a more consistent, crisp steering feel and plenty of assist for parking maneuvers.
The new standard in truck interiors
Premium materials, attention to detail and purposeful technology define Sierra’s all-new cabin. New soft-touch materials and available aluminum trim line an interior that’s focused on usable and productive space.
“Truck owners want a well-crafted cabin, but also one that still feels like a truck,” said Helen Emsley, Sierra interior design director. “They want a purposeful interior, not one that’s flowing like you’d find in a car or crossover.”
Sierra has an upright instrument panel designed for visibility and accessibility. Knobs and buttons are large, legible and within reach. All knobs are coated using a rubber-over-mold technology, so they’re easy to grip even through gloves.
A new instrument cluster on all models features six gauges with an available centrally located, 4.2-inch color Driver Information Center with vehicle status information, a trip computer, and other information, like radio and navigation.
A second, high-mounted glove box with a flat floor joins the traditional box below. Each of Sierra’s doors has storage crafted to hold most beverage containers and other personal items. Along the center stack and center console are additional cupholders, discreet compartments large enough for most laptop computers, and connectivity options. Sierra is available with a 110-volt outlet, up to five USB ports, four 12-volt outlets and an SD card slot.
“Sierra sets a new standard for what’s expected of a pickup truck interior,” said DiSalle. “Our customers told us how they use their trucks and we listened. The combination of comfort, safety, space and technology is unprecedented in the segment.”
Available IntelliLink connectivity uses an available high-definition, fully reconfigurable eight-inch color touchscreen with an intuitive layout and easy-to-read icons that control audio features, a Pandora app, Bluetooth phone features, and available navigation with all-new map displays. Many of the system’s features can be controlled by voice command, allowing the driver to keep eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
Sierra’s seats use dual-density foam designed to stay comfortable over long hours and continue to look great after years of use. Leather and cloth will be offered, and Sierra’s new high-wear cloth is designed to last longer and resist staining. A spilled drink will bead on the fabric, not soak in. Heated seats are available with cloth seats and standard with leather.
New door and bed configurations
For the first time on Extended Cab models, the 2014 Sierra has new front-hinged rear doors with outside pull handles at the rear, providing improved access in tight parking spaces. Unlike trucks with rear-hinged doors, Sierra’s layout allows rear passengers to enter and exit the vehicle with the front doors remaining closed.
Crew Cab customers, who represent more than 60 percent of retail Sierra customers, can choose between two bed lengths; in addition to the current 5-foot, 8-inch box, a new 6-foot, 6-inch box is available. Regular cabs continue to be available with the 6-foot, 6-inch or 8-foot box lengths, while the extended cab will come exclusively with a 6-foot, 6-inch box.
Cargo box innovations
Sierra’s rear bumper features standard corner steps that make climbing into the bed easy, regardless of whether the tailgate is up or down. The steps are paired with grips formed into the top of each bed side. Four movable upper tie downs are also standard. They can be placed in nine different locations and can bear a 500-pound (227 kg) load. Available LED cargo lights integrated beneath the bed rails will illuminate the bed when a tonneau cover is in place. The available EZ Lift and Lower tailgate uses an integrated torsion bar and damper to ease lifting and lowering.
Driver Alert Technology
A suite of active safety features will be optional for the 2014 Sierra, including Forward Collision Alert, which uses a forward-facing camera to notify the driver of an imminent collision, and Lane Departure Warning, which uses the same camera to track the truck’s position in relation to a road’s lane markers.
The camera technology was recently named a “Top Ten Tech Breakthrough of 2012” byPopular Mechanics.
Paired with Forward Collision Alert and Land Departure Warning is GMC’s first-ever Driver Alert Seat, which generates vibrating pulse patterns on the left and/or right side of the lower seat cushion bolster to alert the driver of potential dangers, such as an un-signaled lane change or approaching another vehicle too quickly. According to GM research, the seat’s vibrations may direct driver attention to the location of a potential collision more quickly and accurately than audible alerts. Drivers have the option of selecting either audible or vibrating alerts.
Quieter, stronger, more aerodynamic
Quietness doesn’t only come from factors within the cabin. The 2014 Sierra features new aerodynamic measures that benefit fuel efficiency and reduce wind noise. Updated mirrors that reduce wind turbulence, triple-sealed inlaid doors, as well as roof and tailgate design features all help air flow smoothly quietly over the Sierra. Additional sealing around the grille, headlights and space between the cab and box are also designed to lower drag for the new trucks, along with new aerodynamic spats located in front of the rear wheels.
Updates to Sierra’s body and chassis are designed to improve ride and handling, comfort and capability. The fully boxed frame uses high-strength steel and hydroforming to provide more strength and rigidity with less weight. New cab structures incorporate high-strength steel in the A-pillars, B-pillars, roof rails and rocker panels, while ultra-high-strength steel segments of the rocker panels provide added protection for shallow offset crashes.
Sierra’s hood is aluminum, saving approximately 17 pounds versus a comparable steel hood. At the rear, a roll-formed box is stronger, lighter and more durable than a traditional stamped steel box.
Sierra uses aluminum for some suspension components for additional rigidity and weight saving, and new lightweight wheels are paired with low-rolling-resistance tires in most applications. The tires, along with new shear-style and redesigned hydraulic cab mounts, are designed to help reduce noise and vibration in the cabin.
“Pickups aren’t just a tool for GMC owners – they’re part of their everyday lives, and Sierra needs to be as useful on the way to the movies as it is on the way to a job site,” said DiSalle. “The most important thing about the engineering behind this new truck is that it benefits owners in so many different ways.”
Attention to detail
GMC designers approached the exterior of the 2014 Sierra with respect for its predecessors, evolving its familiar shape while adding distinctive details like standard projector headlamps, available LED signature accent lighting and detailed new grilles. All Sierra models have chrome grille surrounds and premium black wheel arch moldings. Different trim levels feature chrome belt moldings, mirror caps and door handles, as well as unique wheel designs and grille details.
Other new features include available front Park Assist, in addition to the rear Park Assist already available, and a sliding rear window with a defroster.
Distinctive All-Terrain model
Sierra All-Terrain has all-new styling for 2014. It includes a unique exterior appearance with a painted grille and less chrome, and is available as an extended cab or crew cab in a limited number of colors.
Standard equipment for Sierra All-Terrain includes the Z71 off-road suspension with monotube Rancho shocks, hill descent control, front recovery hooks, a transfer case shield and unique wheels and tires, along with an automatic locking rear differential that reacts in milliseconds in low-traction situations to improve safety and confidence on wet, snowy or muddy surfaces.
Sierra All Terrain is available exclusively with an ebony interior and with front bucket seats on SLE models. A carbon fiber-look seat accent is standard on SLT models.

Source: [GM Media]

Attention Business Owners: GMC Year End Tax Advantages Don't Miss Out!

Do you need to add to your fleet? Don't miss the Year End Tax Advantages!

Now is great time to head to Borcherding Buick GMC and take advantage of outstanding holiday deals on the select trucks you want to add to your fleet. Be sure to make the most of any available incentives that could help save you money during the holidays.


Now when you purchase qualifying GM vehicles for your business before 12/31/12, you could earn a tax deduction of up
to $139,000. Plus you can stack other available incentives to really increase your savings.

Many more special incentives! Contact Borcherding Buick GMC now! 

1

The tax incentives are available for depreciable tangible property which is acquired by purchase for use in the active conduct of a trade or business. Additional limitation based

on purchases—for the 2012 tax year, the aggregate deduction of $139,000 under Internal Revenue code Section 179 is most beneficial to small businesses that place in service

no more than $560,000 of “Section 179 property” during the year. Certain vehicles, models and restrictions apply. Consult your tax professional for details.

2

Each individual’s tax situation is unique; therefore, please consult your tax professional to confirm vehicle depreciation deduction and tax benefits. For more details, visit

www.irs.gov, or to calculate your bonus depreciation, visit www.depreciationbonus.org.

3

For vehicles that qualify as passenger automobiles under the Internal Revenue Code, there is a $11,160 per vehicle depreciation deduction cap.

4

For vehicles that qualify as passenger automobiles under the Internal Revenue Code that are trucks or vans, there is a $11,360 per vehicle depreciation deduction cap.

5

For vehicles that qualify as sport utility vehicles under the Internal Revenue Code, there is a $25,000 per vehicle depreciation deduction cap.

2013 GMC Terrain Denali to start at $34,525

GMC has broadened its blinged-out Denali line to include the smaller Terrain crossover for the 2013 model year. We're getting our first stint behind the wheel of the Denali-fied Terrain this week, and while we'll have our full report ready in the not-too-distant future, we can share this bit of news right now: The newest member of the Terrain family will officially be priced from $34,525 – not including (*)$825 for destination – when it goes on sale in the third quarter of this year.

That coin will get you a Denali with GM's well-received 2.4-liter inline-four and front-wheel drive, and this top-shelf Terrain comes standard with things like GMC's Intellilink infotainment system, a programmable power liftgate, an eight-way power driver's seat and new dual-flow dampers for the front suspension. All-wheel drive can be had for an additional $1,750.

The big change for the 2013 Denali model is the availability of GM's 301-horsepower direct-injected 3.6-liter V6, available with both front- and all-wheel drive. Opting for the V6 will cost you $1,500, though that price also includes an upgrade to 19-inch chrome clad wheels versus the standard 18-inch rollers.

Source: GM

Nine New Models in Next 12 Months for Buick and GMC

DETROIT – Buick and GMC told dealers today that it will introduce nine new or significantly updated models in the next 12 months, starting with the new Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV and GMC Acadia crossover SUV  this fall.

The new Buick Encore small luxury crossover, which will be priced at $24,950 including a $750 destination charge, arrives in early 2013. A Buick Regal luxury sport sedan, Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan, GMC Sierra and Sierra HD full-size pickups, as well as GMC Yukon and Yukon XL full-size SUVs will arrive next year.

In addition to these nine models, GMC will offer luxury-appointed Denali versions of its four upcoming vehicles and a new 2.0L turbocharged powertrain will be available in the Buick Verano this year.

By the end of 2013, the oldest non-commercial models in a Buick/GMC showroom will be the Buick Verano luxury sedan and GMC Terrain small SUV. Verano has been in dealer showrooms for less than a year and has gained sales volume every month since launch. Terrain arrived as a 2010 model and is on pace for its best sales year ever in 2012. A new Denali luxury trim level recently was added.

GMC also announced the return of the GMC Canyon midsize pickup as an all-new model to be built in Wentzville, Mo. Arrival timing will be announced later.

“While we continue to make strong progress in fuel economy gains on our full-size trucks, we know that there is a group of customers who want the functionality of a truck but may not need full-size pickup,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of Buick and GMC Marketing. “We believe that introducing a new, agile and efficient mid-size Canyon will meet the needs of many pickup buyers.”

Buick and GMC have grown together as distinctly different but complementary brands. Together, they have sold more than 400,000 vehicles so far this year, a pace that should allow each brand to achieve a third consecutive year of sales gains.

“We’re not only selling more vehicles, we’re bringing new customers to the Buick and GMC showroom,” said Brian Sweeney, vice president of Buick and GMC Sales and Service. “Both brands report more than 40 percent conquest sales. Buick was the only automotive brand in the United States to reduce the average age of its buyer during the past five years, and GMC continues to attract more female buyers and – with Denali vehicles – more import and luxury owners.

Overall, General Motors will have 70 percent all-new or significantly refreshed products across its four U.S. brands in 2012-2013.

Source: GM

Exploring the 2012 GMC Terrain Then Test Drive at Borcherding Buick GMC!

Exploring the 2012 GMC Terrain

GMC (and many others) no longer call all SUVs a SUV; some are now crossovers (usually a crossover is a car based SUV-like vehicle). GMC, the smallest General Motors Division, has two crossovers in its 2012 lineup — the Acadia and Terrain (a third, Terrain Denali, joins in 2013). The “true” SUVs are now called trucks (they are truck based). I recently drove a GMC Terrain.

The Terrain is the larger of GMC’s crossover for 2012 and its intended competition are vehicles like the Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Terrain is 185.3 inches long and rides on a 112.5 inch wheelbase. It weighs 3798 pounds plus depending on model and option; not bad for a SUV, er crossover, but a little portly.

I am not a fan of the styling; too much chrome, too massive a front-end, and too angular for me. The size is decent though — easy to get in and out of and for its interior volume (a total of 63.9 cubic feet) it is relatively small on the outside.
The 2012 model has two engines available; a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter V6 (the V6 goes to 3.6-liters for 2013). I can see only one reason to go with the four — it is
more fuel efficient but at the expense of towing capacity and performance (let’s face it, its 182 hp and 172 ft-lbs of torque aren’t much to move almost two tons). The V6 is rated at 17-city and 24-highway and that isn’t bad for a vehicle like this. I drove a similar Chevrolet vehicle last year and it mirrored the ’12 Terrain’s mileage. I found that it is easy to exceed the highway figure but the city figure will drag down the combined. (Note to all automotive engineers: Not all driving is on a highway; please find a way to get the city mileage up.) Even with the larger engine the ’13′s mileage stays the same.

One big difference between the 4-cylinder and V6 is the towing capacity. The V6 more than doubles the towable weight to 3,500 pounds. If you plan on towing anything heavier than a basic travel trailer go for the V6.
GMC uses a 6-speed automatic transmission (helps with economy) with either engine. It easily rivals the GM transmissions of old in operation (remember when automatics were trouble free?) but with the world moving to 7- or 8-speed automatics it is time for the domestics to up their game. (Did I actually just diss a very good 6-speed automatic?)
I find many current vehicles to have busy instrument panels. They are way too fussy with too many buttons that aren’t easy to use or intuitive. The Terrain is no different except at least there are some knobs. There is a feature I really liked — the “hoods” over the instrument cluster and radio. It almost eliminated glare and reflection. Excellent!

Crossovers have replaced big 4-door sedans as the vehicle of choice in suburbia. Look around, how many large sedans do you see? And the fuel economy of the crossovers is good for their size. But that’s the rub; it’s good for their size. There was a time when 24-mpg was considered great; now it’s only fair. If we’re going to ever become free of foreign oil we are going to have to develop family size (or North American family size) vehicles with much better fuel economy.
For now, though, the GMC Terrain is a very good choice. I can’t keep up with the average sale price of vehicles. It seems like only yesterday that $20,000 got you a decent set of wheels. (Actually it was a long time ago.) In June 2012 the average transaction price was $30,508. That puts the lowest price Terrain ($26,385) in perspective. Go with the top model (SLT-2 All-Wheel-Drive), load on all the options you can and you are pushing $40,000.

Source: [Mercury News]

2013 GMC Terrain Denali Test Drive one in Cincinnati at Borcherding!

2013 GMC Terrain Denali Test Drive

On-sale date: August 2012

Price: $35,350 to $42,000-plus

Competitors: Acura RDX, Infiniti JX

Powertrains: 2.4-liter inline-four-cylinder, 182-hp, 172 lb-ft of torque; 3.6-liter V-6, 301-hp, 272 lb-ft; six-speed automatic; FWD or AWD

EPA fuel economy (city/hwy): 22/32 (four-cylinder with FWD); 16/23 (V-6 with AWD)

What’s new: GMC extends its popular Denali luxury sub-brand to the smallest vehicle in its lineup, the Terrain crossover (CUV in GM parlance), accompanied by an upgraded V-6 with more displacement (3.6 vs 3.0 liters). The larger engine is good for 14 additional horses and 22 percent more torque while returning the same EPA fuel economy ratings as the outgoing Terrain V-6. You can get a Denali edition without the big engine or the big engine without the Denali trim upgrades outside and in, but GMC expects the combination to be the most popular.

Tech tidbit: The invisible hand that may do the most to distinguish this from other Terrains is the dual-flow damper used in the front suspension. Valving in these shock absorbers varies with the rate of the piston travel, delivering firmer handling response without degrading ride—you get them only in the Denali version. (Chevrolet uses them in Equinox, Terrain’s platform-mate, in a new FE2 performance suspension.)

Driving character: We drove V-6-powered AWD Terrain Denalis on challenging two-lane roads in northern Michigan and found that the more powerful engine and the upgraded suspension gave us a surprisingly nimble and responsive drive, especially considering the vehicle’s 2-ton weight. GM tuned the Terrain Denali to feel the most “truck-like” of all its CUVs on this platform, however, so steering effort from the hydraulic power-assisted V-6 (the four-cylinder gets electric assist) is relatively high. Still, you can hustle the Terrain Denali along narrow country lanes, and the drivetrain makes short work of passing the dawdling sightseers and motorhomes. Or, since the Terrain Denali has a 3500-pound towing capacity, hook up a camper or boat and join the caravans of country cottagers.

Favorite detail: Denali trim gives you an eight-way power seat on the passenger side, while the fore-and-aft adjustability of the rear seat (on all Terrains, not just Denali) makes it easy to switch between carrying cargo or passengers back there.

Driver’s grievance: At 4204 pounds in the configuration we drove, this is one hefty five-seater. As a consequence, the only way to get decent mileage is to opt for the smaller motor. Buying a Terrain Denali with all the bells and whistles could only be considered an economy move—on price or fuel efficiency—if you were downsizing from a Yukon.
The Bottom line: The only functional upgrades you get for paying for the Denali trim are blind-spot warning, cross-traffic alerts, the trick dampers, and the power passenger seat—and some of those subject to optional add-on costs. So buyers will have to love the cosmetic treatment of the package to pony up for it. That treatment includes satin-chrome accents on the exterior, 18-inch wheels with the four and 19s with the V-6, and smoked mahogany highlights inside, plus a handsome soft-touch French stitched leather dashboard cap. All these touches dress up the boxy Terrain in ways that will appeal to Denali loyalists. And GMC certainly knows what it’s doing. The brand has sold more than a half-million vehicles with Denali badges on them since the first Yukon Denali in 1999.

Contact Borcherding for more information!
Read more: 2013 GMC Terrain Denali Test Drive – Popular Mechanics