2014 Buick Encore Premium on 2040-cars

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Buick struggling to keep up with Encore demand

Buick is having a hard time keeping up with demand for its all-new Encore mini-CUV, according to a report from Automotive News. The stylish, lifted five-door went on sale in January, but dealers have reported that supplies have dwindled after the initial high demand, taking the proverbial "wind out of the sails."
General Motors admits that it underestimated demand for the diminutive Buick, which is built in Korea and sold as the Opel Mokka in Europe, where it's also seen success. Buick spokesperson Nick Richards told AN, "We increased production, so there have been a lot more landing within the last month."
Buick has done a booming business, though, even with its limited supply of Encores. With over 12,000 units sold in the first half of 2013, the small CUV is on pace to annihilate industry analysts' estimates, which predicted no more than 18,500 units in 2013. We're not entirely surprised. When we first drove the Encore late last year, Autoblog professed that we had no idea how sales would turn out, as the Encore wasn't really entering into an established segment. Even so, wefound a surprising amount to like in the Encore, enough that we "wouldn't bet against it" being a major success.

2016 Buick Regal prices slashed

The Buick Regal is getting an aggressive price cut for the 2016 model year to keep pace in a crossover-centric world and its own hyper-competitive midsize sedan segment. The 2016 Buick Regal GS now starts at $35,915, after a $925 destination charge, which amounts to a $3,320 price cut compared to 2015. There's no de-contenting associated with the cost decreases either, and the vehicles are now available with Apple CarPlay. The lower prices follow through much of the lineup. The 1SP Premium model sees a $2,535 savings at $33,415 after destination; the 1SL trim falls $1,000 to $30,840; and the 1SV maintains at $28,915. The decision to make these cuts is meant to better position the midsize sedan against its rivals. "We know consumer sentiment towards sedans has decreased," Buick spokesperson Nick Richards said to Autoblog. CUVs like the company's own Encore are where buyers are moving. "Repositioning the Regal to more aggressively compete in the midsize sedan segment is the first of many steps we are taking in advance of next year's product offensive," Buick sales vice president Duncan Aldred said in a letter to dealers, according to USA Today. The decision probably couldn't have come at a better time because the Regal has suffered so far in 2015. Through July, the company has delivered 10,928 of them, down a significant 19.3 percent from the same period last year. A recent study also found that the model was among the most likely in the US to be sold after just one year of ownership.

These are the slowest-selling new cars of 2024

While overall sales numbers are a solid indicator of an automaker’s success, another metric can show how well its new vehicles resonate with buyers on the ground. iSeeCars recently released a list of the fastest- and slowest-selling new car companies on the market, and a handful of brands appear to have some catching up to do. Lincoln landed the “top spot” among slow-selling brands, taking an average of 82.6 days to move inventory. Infiniti wasnÂ’t much better, at 79.8 days, and Buick came third with 79 days to sell.  Slowest-selling new cars of 2024 Lincoln: 82.6 days to sell Infiniti: 79.8 Buick: 79 Audi: 75.1 Ram: 69.7 Ford: 68.1 Dodge: 67.4 GMC: 66.6 Acura: 65.4 Lexus: 64.5 iSeeCars executive analyst Karl Brauer noted that the fastest-selling brands, which include Toyota, Alfa Romeo, and Cadillac, likely move inventory because they resonate with buyersÂ’ desire for value and a compelling product. The study also noted that seeing GMC, Ford, and Ram so low on the list likely indicates slowing truck sales, which comprise a significant portion of those brandsÂ’ numbers. ItÂ’s also possible that buyers are turned off by higher prices from those brands. Fast-selling new car brands also appeared on the used car list, where Honda, Lexus, and Toyota dominated. Unfortunately for Lincoln, it also made the slow-selling used list, between Maserati as the slowest and Alfa Romeo in third. iSeeCarsÂ’ analysis also examined EV and hybrid sales and found that hybrids tend to sell much faster than their electric counterparts. In March 2024, new hybrids took an average of 49.5 days to sell, while EVs took 70.6 days. That again brings us to the price and value arguments, where hybrids are significantly less expensive than EVs, though charging and range concerns also likely play a role. By the Numbers Green Buick Infiniti Lincoln Car Buying