(January 13, 2018) DETROIT — Buick delivered more than 1.4 million vehicles globally in 2017. The year saw a spirited pace of new vehicle launches, including the Enclave, Enclave Avenir, Regal Sportback, Regal TourX, Regal GS, GL6, Velite 5, Excelle GX and LaCrosse Avenir.

In North America, Canada retail growth was up 15.1 percent and U.S. retail growth was up 1.6 percent. The brand also celebrated its best year ever in China. Over the past five years, Buick has continued to grow at a steady pace, with 8.4 percent annual growth.

“Buick spent 2017 moving fast despite its impressive global volume,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president, Global Buick and GMC. “We’ve launched products with the pace and innovation of a startup with the backing of the industry’s top dealer network and a development process driven by quality and safety. It’s a combination that’s proven successful year after year.”

The brand’s 2017 product rollout created the freshest and broadest lineup in recent Buick history, with seven new models in China and four in North America, as well as the second and third additions to the Avenir sub-brand globally. Early response has been strong for the new 2018 Enclave, recipient of a Ward’s 10 Best User Experiences award, and the GL6 doubled Buick’s MPV lineup in China while contributing to a 94 percent increase in retail MPV sales for the year.

2018 represents an incredible opportunity as the first full production year for many models. North American deliveries of the new Regal Sportback and Regal TourX commenced in December, with the Regal GS arriving at dealers soon. The Excelle GX wagon was added in October to bolster the lineup of Buick’s top-selling nameplate, featuring a new family of efficient turbocharged engines. The first-ever LaCrosse Avenir is now rolling out globally.

Avenir, an all-new sub-brand representing the highest expression of Buick luxury, was introduced in the closing days of 2016 and expanded rapidly in 2017 from one model to three. Following the introduction of the GL8 Avenir in China, the 2018 Enclave Avenir launched the sub-brand in North America; it currently represents more than 30 percent of Enclave sales. A LaCrosse Avenir was recently introduced for North America and China, rounding out a lineup that represents Buick’s most premium SUV, sedan and MPV.

Avenir represents the best of Buick’s attainable luxury ethos, which continues to fuel Buick growth. Attainable luxury means Buick vehicles are designed to be thoughtful and practical, with a sense of well-being and modern simplicity. The brand employs proven technology that makes life easier, with prices that bridge the gap between mainstream and traditional luxury.

Buick’s early commitments to the top SUV segments continue to pay off. The Envision had its best sales year ever globally, with December representing its best month yet in the U.S. market.

Buick also launched its first extended-range electric vehicle, the Velite 5, in the Chinese market. The Velite 5 represents a major step in Buick’s commitment to a zero emissions future.

U.S. Market-Specific Facts:

    Year overall: Buick retail sales were up 1.6 percent.
    Year-end momentum: Best December retail sales in 15 years.
    The right SUVS: Encore, Envision, Enclave retail sales are up.
    On a retail basis, the Enclave was up 46 percent, the Envision up 93 percent and the Encore was up 2 percent.
     The Buick Encore delivered its best year ever. It has been Buick’s volume leader for three straight years.
    Top-down demand: Cascada attracts more new customers than any other Buick and was the brand’s fastest-turning model in December.
    Recognized: Buick was recognized by being highest in sales satisfaction among mass market brands, two years in a row.