In its first year of sales, the 2014 Buick Encore CUV contributed greatly to one of Buick’s most successful years ever, which saw the luxury automaker move a record 1,032,056 vehicles worldwide.
The Encore is one of the first luxury crossover vehicles of its size, filling a void in a segment which grew 52 percent in 2013 from 2012. Encore’s U.S. sales reached 31,046 units last year, while global sales reached 97,311 vehicles.
“Right out of the gate, demand for the Encore was high,” Tony DiSalle, vice president of Buick marketing, said in a statement. “It accounted for most of the segment’s growth last year and that’s because it offers the right safety, technology, and features in the right-sized vehicle for many customers.”
General Motors says the Encore’s early arrival to the compact luxury SUV segment is crucial, as the segment is expected to double in size by 2018.
“The small SUV segment looks like the next hot spot in the new-car market,” said Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book. “The combination of functionality and fuel efficiency offered by models like the Buick Encore makes them a compelling value equation for consumers. We’re seeing rising research activity in these models from users of KBB.com, and we expect sales to grow in the coming months and years.”
Encore customers cite the CUV’s fuel economy, quality and exterior design as their top reasons for purchase. The vehicle has also attracted more conquest customers for GM, with one in two Encore buyers coming from a non GM-brand.
Comments
hmmm….clap Clap CLAP !!!!! i was quite skeptical about the encore when it first came out but Gm knew what it was doing…introducing what i call the first micro SUV……….and what a sucess !!!! a turbo encore would make it delgihtful little city scooter……..to me Buick should offer the cars Cadillac cant…..this being one
I must admit that the Encore is an amazing entrant into the segment! I do hope that it will get some new engines and then ultimately get redesigned on the Alpha.
For right now, a 2.5L I4 (VVT, SIDI and iVVL) with 205HP and 195FT-LBS will do.
Later, I expect the Encore to compete with cars like the MB GLK and BMW X1 on the Alpha platform and be powered by:
-1.2L Turbo I3 Hybrid (VVT, SIDI and iVVL) with 140HP and 155FT-LBS
-1.4L Turbo I4 (VVT, SIDIand iVVL) with 175HP and 190FT-LBS
-3.2L V6 (VVT, SIDI and iVVL) with 295HP and 270FT-LBS
“The vehicle has also attracted more conquest customers for GM, with one in two Encore buyers coming from a non GM-brand.”
Interesting point. If they would offer up a turbo-diesel Encore in the US market, I’d buy one to replace my aged TDI VW Jetta in a heartbeat. I was surprised how sharp the little car looks in person, better than photos.
I’d also buy one for each of my kids…
The Buick Envision slated for China is needed badly for North America , it can’t come soon enough ! This middie size SUV is the market’s fastest growth size and Buick’s teaser pics rendered look terrific . This will complete their CUV/SUV model lineup beautifully . I really like what Buick is doing , their vehicles are attractive , they improve the reliability and quality in a timely manner , they have a plan and are sticking to it . Buick is setting a benchmark for the company , hopefully Cadillac will learn a lesson from this superbly run division !