Buick Continues Dependable Sales Pace Despite General Motors’ Recall Woes

General Motors released its quarterly earnings report on Thursday, showing a net income of $125 million, despite Wall Street’s lowly sales predictions due to the automaker’s looming recall crisis. A contributing factor to the surprise results were strong and consistent sales from Buick, which managed to move 300,000 units in the first quarter of this year.

As Bloomberg points out, Buick’s sales have been steadily moving along despite having what some might think is a relatively ‘beige’ product portfolio. The brand moved 1,032,056 vehicles in 2013, the most ever in its 110-year history. They’ve managed to continue the trend in 2014, with worldwide sales climbing 14 percent in the first quarter this year and domestic sales climbing 11 percent.

Part of the growth can be chalked up to Buick’s Encore compact crossover, which it introduced in 2013 just as the luxury crossover market was gaining traction. The vehicle’s attractive appearance and equally as enticing starting price of $24,000 helped it account for 1 in 6 Buick sales last year. The brand’s recent progress can also be attributed to its success in China, its strongest market for years. Furthermore, J.D. Power and Associates predict Buick could reach 1 million sales in the country by 2016, according to the Detroit Free Press.

With consistent sales results and seemingly no sign of slowing down, Buick may be the one brand that will really help carry GM through its recall woes. Although with an unexpectedly profitable first quarter, the automaker may not take the hit that analysts and investors predicted it would.