Buick Celebrates 110 Years of Building Cars Happy Anniversary from Borcherding Buick GMC!

DETROIT – The Buick brand celebrates its 110^th birthday this weekend. After a few years of experimenting with automobiles built at his home in Detroit, David Dunbar Buick – a former plumbing inventor and businessman – incorporated the Buick Motor Company on May 19, 1903. A State of Michigan historic site marker outside General Motors Global Headquarters at the Renaissance Center commemorates the day.

The first production vehicle, the Buick Model B, was offered to retail customers the following year. Today, Buick produces a range of luxury vehicles including the Encore and Enclave crossovers and the LaCrosse, Regal and Verano sedans.

Source: GM Media

2013 GMC Terrain Boasts Denali Trim Level, Test Drive at Borcherding Buick GMC!

(2013 GMC Terrain Denali Shown Above)

The 2013 GMC Terrain will be offered in three different trim levels, including the SLE, SLT and Denali.
And they are all jam-packed with luxury-car worthy amenities that come standard with the vehicle.
Seventeen-inch alloy wheels, heated side-view mirrors, rear-view camera, OnStar, Bluetooth and a six-speaker sound system are just some of the features that come standard for the base SLE-1 trim level.
SEE PHOTOS OF THE NEW TERRAIN
And for the SLE-2 trim, an eight-way power driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, eight-speaker Pioneer audio system and upgraded cloth upholstery will be added to the package.
Heated front seats, remote engine start and leather upholstery are all offered up on the SLT-1 trim level, while 18-inch chromed wheels, sunroof, height-adjustable power liftgate and driver-seat memory functionality will be a part of the SLT-2.
The SLT-2 will also feature a safety package that includes a lane-departure warning system, forward-collision alert and rear park assist.
And for the highest trim level, the Denali model of the 2013 GMC Terrain, everything that comes standard with the SLT-2 will be a part of the top-level package as well as model-specific wheels, rear cross-traffic and side blind-zone alert systems, eight-way power passenger seat and unique exterior and interior trim detailing.
All trim levels, except the SLE, will have the option to add a navigation system, while a dual-screen DVD rear-entertainment system are available on the SLT-2 and Denali.
The 2013 GMC Terrain has also undergone some changes under the hood with the addition of a new 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine, for every model except the SLE-1, that pumps out 40 more ponies over last year’s 3.0-liter six-cylinder and features 272 pound-feet of torque.
Pricing for the 2013 GMC Terrain starts at $26,235.

Borcherding Kings Local Food Pantry a Success, Thank You!

Borcherding and The Kings Local Food Pantry Success, Thank You!

Borcherding teamed up with the Kings Local Food Pantry who is an integral part of the community by serving those in need of food and/or temporary financial assistance last month.
We had food barrels located in our used and new car showrooms as well at the collision center. A food barrel was also  offsite at our partner Napa Store in Mason. Everyone was so generous and we are so thankful to everyone that made it out.

Although we no longer have the barrels in our showrooms and other locations you can always donate at their location.
While their main focus is to provide food temporary relief of food items, they also provide personal care items for those in need. All to often they find their shelves empty of certain items that their constituents use on a regular basis. Below is a list of items that are in immediate need by the Kings Local Pantry.

• Paper Towels & Tissue Paper
• Deodorant & Bath Soap
• Toothpaste & Toothbrushes
• Shampoo & Hand Sanitizer
• Diapers & Baby Wipes
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Dish Soap & Laundry Detergent
• Cleaning Supplies

What do you think the Audience will be for the 2013 Buick Encore?

                   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]

2013 GMC Acadia What is all involved.

                               2013 Acadia Comes Armed for an Army of Elbows

Hundreds of engineering hours lead to comfort and flexibility

DETROIT – The designers of the 2013 GMC Acadia crossover SUV had a lot of things to account for in developing a comfy interior – including as many as 16 pointy, sensitive elbow bones that would be part of a fully loaded eight-passenger vehicle.
General Motors global human factors engineer Joan Hertely and her team spent hundreds of hours creating resting places that considered angles, dimensions and the right materials to achieve maximum comfort.
“The process begins with benchmarking,” said Hertely, who has 12 years of armrest engineering experience. “We look at what works, what doesn’t, and start compiling criteria for width, length, angle, height, adjustment options, comfort, reach and overall design. And those factors consider door handles, cupholders and switch locations.”
Not all armrests can be treated equally, so a crossover that seats up to eight takes months of planning. The driver’s armrest needs to accommodate more controls. The front center armrest needs to both slide and open for storage, and must be level with armrests on the front doors. The four rear outboard armrests are designed with cupholders, which need to be positioned to avoid spills. Optional second-row captain’s chairs have armrests that move with the seatbacks and can be adjusted up and down, requiring additional design criteria.
“Once a layout is in place after having been evaluated and optimized over a hundred hours in a stationary buck, further testing continues out on the road,” said Hertely. “We took countless drives with Acadias, paying close attention to how each armrest feels on both elbows and forearms, because people rest their arms differently. And the cupholder integration was new, so we had to ensure a level of comfort with the holders in use.”
More new car shoppers are discovering Acadia’s purposeful engineering. October sales for Acadia were the best for that month since 2007, the model’s first year on the market. And through the first 10 months of 2012, Acadia is on track for its best sales year ever.
“I never thought I would drive anything but a BMW or a Mercedes-Benz,” said Illona Olayan, an Acadia owner from Jacksonville, Florida. “But I drove an Acadia and was amazed by the great quality and craftsmanship. I’d recommend one to any family. It’s fun, functional and good looking.”
According to auto shopping site Edmunds.com, Acadia “offers a winning combination of comfort, features, cargo space and performance in a utility-style package.” The 2012 Acadia won Edmunds’ “Best Retained Value” award for SUVs between $35,000 and $45,000, as well as a 2012 ALG Residual Value Award in the full-size utility segment.

Source: [GM Media]

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]