Buick Enclave Sales Increase 1 Percent To 2,715 Units In January 2018

Buick Enclave sales increased in the United States and in Canada in January 2018

Buick Enclave Sales - January 2018 - United States

In the United States, Buick Enclave deliveries totaled 2,715 units in January 2018, an increase of about 1 percent compared to 2,692 units sold in January 2017. Despite the sales uptick, the results are still significantly below the Enclave's best-ever sales performance of 4,347 units in January 2011.

Buick Enclave Sales - January 2018 - Canada

In Canada, Buick Enclave deliveries totaled 233 units in January 2018, an increase of about 195 percent compared to 79 units sold in January 2017. The results represent the model's best January sales performance since at least January 2014.

The GM Authority Take

Buick Enclave sales underperformed the segment in January, placing the crossover in fourth place (out of five) in its competitive set in terms of cumulative sales volume – behind the Infiniti QX60, Acura MDX and Audi Q7 (see Audi Q7 sales) but ahead of the Volvo XC90 (see Volvo XC90 sales). Though the difference in sales volume between the first place finisher – the Infiniti QX60 – and the Enclave was only 314 units, the Enclave’s key rivals from Infiniti, Audi and Volvo posted significantly greater increases in sales volume.

Going forward, we expect Enclave sales to continue growing due to the following three factors:

1. An all-new, highly-competitive second-generation model that is attracting new car buyers to the Enclave and to the Buick brand
2. A value-laden vehicle that presents an attractive price point (that is about $10,000 lower) compared to more expensive rivals such as the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90
3. A continuous change in market vehicle buying dynamics that sees car buyers continue switching to crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) from other vehicle types like sedans

However, the Enclave as well as all other segment contenders will face strong competition from the Lexus RX350L, an upcoming three-row variant of the sales champion that is the Lexus RX.

Sales Numbers - Premium Three-Row Crossovers - January 2018 - United States

The premium three-row crossover segment grew 13 percent in January.

About Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave is a premium full-size crossover utility vehicle (CUV). It is the biggest Buick crossover currently offered, slotting above the subcompact Buick Encore and compact Buick Envision.

The first generation Enclave was introduced for the 2009 model year to replace the Buick Rendezvous. It rode on the GM Lambda platform and was discontinued in 2017. The current, second-generation model was introduced for the 2018 model year. It rides on the extended-length GM C1 platform shared with the second-generation Chevrolet Traverse. A shorter variant of the same platform underpins the second-gen GMC Acadia and Cadillac XT5.

Compared to its first-generation predecessor, the second-gen Enclave is an all-new vehicle that is larger, lighter, sleeker and more modern. It also introduces new trim levels, including the range-topping Enclave Avenir.

The Buick Enclave is built at the GM Delta Lansing Township factory in Michigan operated by GM USA. It is currently the only plant that builds the vehicle alongside the second-gen Chevy Traverse.

About The Numbers

• All percent change figures compared to Buick Enclave January 2017 sales
• In the United States, there were 25 selling days in January 2018 and 24 selling days in January 2017
• In Canada, there were 25 selling days in January 2018 and 24 selling days in January 2017