Buick is Breaking Down Age Barriers

Remember when the average age of a Buick driver was 72 years old? A study from 2011 showed that Buick had 79,000 fans on Facebook, 75% of which were under the age of 45. Also, Buick presented numbers saying that just over 60% of Regal buyers were under 55. If you look at the Buick Regal’s forums and blogs, you will see people gloating about their prized Regals. Another trend you will see is that the people gloating are generally in their twenties and thirties.

Personally, my mom (54) has a 2011 Buick Regal Turbo. I absolutely love this car and often go home for the sole purpose of driving it to the car wash and running errands for my mom just so I can drive the car. It’s not only the drive of the Regal that I love; the interior and exterior styling are quite impressive. Sadly, other people get to enjoy the exterior more than me, but I get to drive it so that’s a compromise I’m willing to accept. The Regal’s sporty exterior styling is beautiful especially with the addition of the LED daytime running lamps which give the Regal that classy exterior feel. The 18” painted alloy wheels also add a stylish touch. Enjoying the drive is only part of the experience as you sit in the Regal’s front seat. The interior has a cockpit feel that provides for a comfortable ride yet you feel like you are in your own world with the car and the pavement. In my mom’s car, she has the available satellite navigation system which helps provide both driver functionality and it also provides nice aesthetic appeal. The ability to hook up my iPod to the car and download songs to the hard drive is extremely convenient and something one would not expect from a Buick I had to upload some songs for my mom because she “Doesn’t find my music appropriate.”  If you would rather not download the music to your car, you can easily just plug in your iPod to the car using the USB port. Once this has been done you can set your iPod down and navigate throughout your iPod using the knob near the shifter. This knob is very easy to use and controls everything on the Navigation screen. 

Top notch technology and top notch styling are the driving forces for Buick vehicles today as they break down long-lasting age barriers.

Is your vehicle aging? You’re not alone.

The average age of the typical automobile on the road is at a record high of just over ten years old, yet studies show that January 2012 auto sales are expected to be at least 6% higher than January 2011 sales. For the entire year, the forecasts are expecting a jump from a 2011 number of 12.7 million cars sold (which was a 10% jump from the 2010 numbers.) to an impressive number of 13.9 million cars sold this year. It is considered to be a year of rebuilding, and that’s exactly what GM is doing not only with its revamped vehicle lineup, but over 2,000 dealerships across America are receiving an upgrade (Betten-Baker included). 

            Due to the decrease in vehicles bought and leased from 2007 to 2009, the market today for used cars is down, which is increasing trade-in values, driving customers to purchase new vehicles. I couldn’t see a better time for this to happen considering all of the new vehicles in the showrooms today. Manufacturers are also creating more fuel efficient vehicles for less money, giving customers the best of both worlds.

            There was however one benefit to the increasing age of automobiles for dealerships. The Service Departments saw a huge increase in people coming to them with their older vehicles, searching for help and replacement parts.

            Hopes are high for the automotive industry however, by 2015, 167,000 jobs are to be added which is a 28% increase over current levels. An interesting stat is that in 2009, car sales in America totaled $166 billion, while in 2011, sales totaled $206 billion.

            Coupled with the great trade-in values are new vehicle lineups which are enticing customers. Buick is revamping its entire lineup with vehicles like the sporty Regal GS and the fun Buick Verano. Chevy is remodeling almost all of their vehicles in the next two years including the popular Malibu and Silverado. Other manufacturers like Ford and Volkswagen are also obtaining all new body styles for popular cars like the Fusion and Passat. 

            I am excited about the automotive revival; the entire staff here at Betten Baker seems upbeat and excited about the new cars and we are looking forward to helping out the customers on deciding which cars best suit their needs. 

Buick LaCrosse-Everything You Want to Know!

Today’s vehicle spotlight is on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse. Through this post, I will cover the eAssist engine and how it works, the interior technology, safety features, and the driving experience.

Personally, when I am driving and am exceptionally bored, I watch my fuel economy gauge and see how high I can get it. In my 4-cylinder, 2,800lb Pontiac G5, I receive around 20-24MPG city (lead foot) and around 30-35MPG highway. The smart people over at GM and Buick managed to make an engine that gives a 3,800lb Buick LaCrosse 25MPG city, and 38MPG highway. But how can that be? eAssist is called by many a “mild hybrid” technology, but GM and Buick insist that the eAssist engine is no hybrid. Why use fuel when you don’t need it? This simple concept was masterminded by the people at GM and Buick and transformed into a stunning engine, providing excellent mileage and not costing an arm and a leg. The e-assist provides an electric “kick” to the power-train system during heavy acceleration and helps the engine’s transmission operate more efficiently. Most people who observe their fuel economy cringe when they see a red light; the acceleration will kill their fuel economy when it turns green. The eAssist drivers may have a different mindset though. As you begin braking for the red light, the eAssist shuts off the gas engine’s fuel consumption. Then, when you’re at a complete stop, the eAssist’s start-stop technology shuts off the engine to conserve fuel. Don’t worry though, as soon as that light turns green, the engine will be prepared for a smooth takeoff giving you a little extra power, the smart people at Buick say so! So basically, the innovative eAssist engine saves you fuel at the best times possible. I am extremely impressed with this engine enhancement and what Buick was able to do with it.

Alright, I’m done boring you about the engine, time to move on to the rest of the vehicle. Starting at $30,170 the Buick LaCrosse is a luxury sedan on the rise. Alex Nishimoto of MotorTrend Magazine said of the 2012 LaCrosse, “Buick has clearly come a long way, and the LaCrosse with eAssist is yet another vehicle that’s helping to reinvent the brand’s image. I can’t wait to see how Buick will surprise me next.” I couldn’t agree more, Alex. It’s not just the engine where Buick is impressing; the LaCrosse is equipped with some impressive technology on the interior too. Buick IntelliLink is a completely voice activated system which allows the driver to access their phone’s phonebook and access various web applications like Pandora. The IntelliLink system runs through a beautiful 7” touch-screen high definition display, so when you’re at a stoplight, you can admire it visually too.

The LaCrosse is also equipped with numerous safety provisions, helping it receive 5 out of 5 stars during government crash test ratings. Some of the safety features include: anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, stability and traction control, front seat side-impact airbags, full length side-curtain airbags, and of course the OnStar safety system. With available safety features like a rear parking camera and blind side alert, the LaCrosse is a safe machine.

Driving the LaCrosse can also be a good time. Precise steering and admirable handling are nice additions to the plush ride that the LaCrosse presents. If you’re looking for some more power though, you can take a step up from the standard 4 cylinder eAssist engine which provides 182HP, to the new 3.6 Liter, 306HP V-6 engine.

Overall, the Buick Lacrosse is an impressive vehicle which car enthusiasts are very excited about. Please feel free to comment below or contact us here at Betten Baker Chevrolet-Buick for any information!

Hey Everyone!
I plan to post some new car information on Chevrolet and Buicks every Friday along with some auto news on Wednesday.
Stay tuned!
-New Car Guy