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Buick's descent into the abyss

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Khatir Soltani
As the saying goes, everything that goes up must come down eventually. Buick was on roll since 2009, right around the corner of the automobile crisis. GM’s legendary arm has been free falling since the start of 2012.

Sales have been dropping for the last seven months; retail sales have dropped 5 % in April. Total sales (retail and fleet sales) have gone backward by 16 % in the last quarter.

Buick is giving Cadillac a run for its money in terms of mediocrity – among the 41 brand sold in the US, they are competing for the longest bad spell. But, unlike Cadillac, Buick doesn’t have a single new model up the horizon to dig itself out.

The American firm is trying to fight back by making leasing more affordable than ever. It seems the route to go: other luxury car retailers state leasing accounts for as much as 50 % for certain brands. They better come up with some serious offers if they plan on taking back their slice of the market.

Furthermore, some changes are on the way for Buick's two best-sellers; the Enclave is going back to the drawing board for the 2013 model year, and in two years the Regal should undergo some modifications as well.


Source: Automotive News
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada