2016 Buick global sales drive past 1 million at record pace

Through September, global Buick sales worldwide have 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 January-September period 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 says it 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 US, year-to-date retail sales are the highest in 11 years.

Buick’s SUV line-up is fueling the brand’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.

The Encore small SUV has increased its global sales each year since its launch less than four years ago and had its best US sales month ever in September with 7,197 deliveries.

Recent US 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 organisation’s highest rating. The Cascada recently became the only convertible on sale today with a NHTSA 5-star rating.