Buick News
Buick, once a top-selling brand in China, aims to sharpen its focus on premium new-energy vehicles in the world's biggest car market.
Buick posted the biggest sales gain in the quarter ended March 31, up 39 percent, for its best first quarter in nearly 20 years. Cadillac, GMC and Chevrolet also posted double-digit sales gains, with GMC setting a quarterly record.
The number of glitches with new vehicles reported after three years of ownership hit its highest level since 2009, at 202 problems per 100 vehicles surveyed. The biggest bugs: software and smartphone integration or connectivity.
Ford, Mini, Mitsubishi and Ram told dealers that lower-priced models were on the way. Chrysler, Volkswagen and Chevrolet already have address affordability concerns with less expensive products.
Buick-GMC's brand chief said the full rollout onto the Digital Retail Platform follows an ongoing pilot.
General Motors is well-positioned to adapt to any policy shifts from the White House and will not change its product plans or strategy because of the new president, brand leaders said.
GMC dealers are adding the Sierra EV pickup to their lineups as sales of the GMC Hummer EV pickup and SUV steadily increase.
Buick-GMC is "really one of the premier brands to be associated with now in the country," says dealer council Chairman Bo Mandal.
With online marketing and sales more important than ever in the digital world, Subaru, Lexus and Penske Automotive scored huge gains to reach No. 1 in their respective segments in an influential annual study of online customer sentiment.
General Motors said its U.S. light-vehicle sales surged 21 percent in the fourth quarter, with gains at all four brands helped by strong sales of crossovers and pickups.
