Verano, Unique Leasing Options Attracting New Customers

Buick Verano luxury sedan sales in May surpassed 3,000 for the first time, continuing an upward sales trend from its December 2011 launch. Half of Verano buyers are coming from non-General Motors’ brands.

The Verano was named NADAguides.com’s Featured Vehicle of the Month.

“We were impressed with the Verano’s thoughtful design, luxury appointments, quiet ride and many safety and technology features,” said Tony Snyder, director of Product Development for NADAguides.com. “The 2012 Buick Verano is a stand-out model in the compact luxury segment, already achieving significant sales increases in its first few months and holding its own with more established brands like Acura and Audi,” 

Total Buick sales in May – the brand’s highest volume month so far in 2012 -- were up 19.2 percent, while retail sales were up by 10.7 percent.

Buick is seeing new sales growth trends in new markets for the brand. In May, sales in St. Louis increased by 48 percent, while dealers in Houston increased sales by 40 percent.

“Buick customers can now drive our new and updated models using worry-free leasing with Experience Buick,” said Brian Sweeney, vice president of Buick Sales and Service. “And many are making their decisions in modern, updated dealership facilities around the country.”

Experience Buick allows drivers to lease a vehicle for two years with the added value of maintenance, SiriusXM, and OnStar included in the monthly payments. Since it was introduced in April, this all-inclusive option has nearly doubled Buick’s leasing rate, from 15 percent to 26 percent. Celebrity ads featuring basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, supermodel Marisa Miller and actor Ving Rhames have aided awareness of Experience Buick.

LaCrosse midsize luxury sedan retail sales increased 13.3 percent year over year in May. LaCrosse is also outselling its core competition, including the Lexus ES, Acura TL, and Lincoln MKS.

Sales of the LaCrosse include models with eAssist, a 36 highway mpg-rated gas-electric powertrain that’s offered for the same base price as the car’s traditional V-6 engine, represented 26 percent of LaCrosse retail sales last month.

According to research from the United States Department of Energy, the cost of the LaCrosse’s eAssist system is recouped within the first year of ownership.

The Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV had its best retail sales month of the year, with an increase of 4.8 percent year-over-year. A redesigned 2013 model of the industry’s best-selling three-row luxury crossover arrives later this year.

 

Courtesy of Buick Media