Friday, June 29, 2012

Untitled

Liberty-fireworks
Whether the party is happening this weekend or Wednesday, what are your Fourth of July preferences? Burgers, bratwurst, or hot dogs? Hanging out poolside, in the backyard, or staying inside and watching a game? Live fireworks, or from the comfort of your home? Maybe none of the above. Let's hear it!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Sierra 1500 Ranks Highest in Segment in Initial Quality

2012-06-20

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"DETROIT – The GMC Sierra 1500 ranks highest in the large pickup segment of the 2012 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality StudySM, based on results announced today.  

“GMC Sierra customers demand not only exceptional capability and performance, but also top quality,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of GMC Marketing. “The fact that Sierra ranked highest in the large pickup segment in this study demonstrates that the brand is following through on its commitment to customer satisfaction.”

In May 2012, total Sierra fullsize pickup sales, including 1500 as well as ¾-ton, and 1-ton HD models, were up 23 percent year over year.

GMC Yukon was also among the leaders in the large crossovers/SUV segment. All GMC models eligible for the study improved their scores and, for the second year in a row, GMC scored above the industry average.

The 2012 IQS is based on responses from more than 74,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2012 model year vehicles surveyed at 90 days of ownership. The study includes a 228-question survey designed to provide manufacturers with information they can use to quickly identify problems and drive improvement."

 

http://bit.ly/PuA49F

Learn What We Believe In at Our Mission Statement, Vision, and Values Page

Capitalbuickgmc
Click to read.

http://bit.ly/LzWOVL

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Buick Sticks to Stick-Shifts to Offer Choice, Performance

Sami Haj-Assaad  |  Jun 18, 9:15 AM

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"Buick recently released detailed specifications on the surprisingly powerful Verano Turbo. Along with the 250 hp engine is the continued option of a six-speed manual transmission.

 

In a time when even exotic car makers are switching to dual-clutch automatics and BMW would prefer not to offer a stick-shift, Buick, of all brands, is continuing to offer the shift-it-yourself, preferred-by-enthusiasts feature.

The 2013 Verano Turbo joins the ranks of the Regal Turbo and Regal GS as the three Buicks with manual transmissions. Buick says that they now offer more manual transmissions than exotic car-maker Ferrari. Is Buick really aiming for the enthusiast market with these self-rowers?

Not exactly. “Our strategy has more to do with choices for our customers than anything else,” said Phil Colley, from Buick communications.

“There are people who simply prefer a manual transmission, and as we’ve learned with Regal Turbo and GS,” said Colley. “Our customers prefer to have that choice.”

Still, the Regal Turbo and GS are both considered the ‘sportier’  Buick vehicles. Each makes 220-hp or more, and comes equipped with tighter suspension. They also come with the brand’s Interactive Drive Control function that allows for several modes, including a ‘sport’ that quickens up steering feel.

Colley even told us that Buick sells more manual transmissions in the Regal GS’ than automatic equipped ones, which is particularly interesting because the automatic is a no-cost option.

“With the added performance and fun of the Verano Turbo, offering an available manual seemed like a natural choice” said Colley.

Pricing details on the new Verano Turbo haven’t been announced yet, but the 2012 Verano costs just $22,585, and tops out at $26,850. It will be interesting to see if Buick also offers a no-cost transmission option on the more powerful Verano Turbo.

Colley wouldn’t comment on if the manual transmission choice is something Buick would offer were it not for the fact that such units are already engineered and available in other GM models. Still, the fact that Buick goes through the trouble of engineering and emissions certifying manual transmissions for three of its models shows that the decision to do so is either profitable at the dealership level or as a marketing effort.

Buick, after all, is rumored to be preparing a new wave of exciting models, with recent GM trademark filings for the names “Riviera” and “Grand National” suggesting a future that’s as exciting as its past, rather than the old man pigeonhole the brand is currently stuck in."

 

http://bit.ly/Pf80H3

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Styling Showdown: 2012 vs. 2013 Buick Enclave

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"Posted June 11 2012 02:59 PM by Edward A. Sanchez

Long Regarded as the most attractive of General Motors' Lambda variants, the Buick Enclave gets a mild makeover for 2013 to bring its look more in-step with the brands newer offerings, such as the Regal, Verano and LaCrosse sedans. Compared to the styling changes for the 2013 Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia, the Enclave's changes are much more subtle.


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As seems to be all the rage lately, the 2013 Enclave gets LED driving lights, in addition to standard HID headlights in sharper slightly more aggressive "cat eye"-shaped housings. LEDs also light up the subtly-updated taillights as well. The front grille is larger and more prominent, complementing the grille and other front-end changes. Finally, Buick's signature "VentiPorts" are moved from a lateral position among the hood crease to the top of the hood, for a cleaner, more contemporary look. Although from a pure functionality perspective, we wonder if they're needed at all.

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Moving around to the rear, the taillights get the aforementioned LED treatment, as well as getting a thinner chrome accent surround, and rectangular reverse lights replacing the previous round inset design. Finally, the 2012's oval exhaust tips are supplanted by integrated rectangular outlets in the bumper.

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The interior of the 2013 model carries over many of the themes of the 2012, including the semi-circular center console shape with the climate vents and analog clock, but tones down the woodgrain accent trim, moving it from front-and-center on the dashboard to a broad, sweeping swath that goes from the upper part of the door panels to a thin strip sweeping across the top of the dashboard, following a integrated blue LED light accent strip.

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Finally, the touchscreen interface is updated with GM's new IntelliLink interface and knob controls replacing last year's buttons for climate control.

Are the changes to the 2013 Enclave and improvement, or unnecessary meddling to the style of what was arguably one of Buick's best-looking models to begin with?"