The auto industry’s ongoing flight from the sedan body style continues unabated, with the traditional three-box four-door replaced by a gamut of crossovers and SUVs. Buick is part of that transition, and according to Buick Marketing Manager Rob Petersen, the brand’s sedan buyers are quickly converting to crossovers.
In a recent interview with GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft, Petersen indicated that former Buick sedan customers are now adopting Buick crossovers instead. That includes Buick Verano customers, who, according to Petersen, are “very successfully moving” into the Buick Encore and Encore GX.
Petersen also said that “[Buick] Regal customers are attracted to the compact crossover segment,” the same space where the outgoing Envision and all-new 2021 Buick Envision compete.
Petersen attributes the Regal-to-Envision conversion to a sporty flavoring offered by both models. While the Buick Regal offered midsize proportions, solid handling and a turbocharged 2.0L engine, the new Envision is set to satisfy some of those attributes.
To that point, Petersen also says that 30 percent of 2021 Buick Envision orders include the Sport Touring Package, a styling option that adds several sporty exterior upgrades.
Table Title
| MODEL | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 | YTD 20 SHARE | YTD 19 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENCORE | -59.23% | 41,752 | 102,402 | 26% | 55% |
| ENCORE GX | * | 44,841 | 0 | 28% | 0% |
| ENVISION | +5.16% | 34,942 | 33,229 | 22% | 18% |
| ENCLAVE | -24.78% | 38,480 | 51,156 | 24% | 27% |
| TOTAL | -14.33% | 160,015 | 186,787 |
Buick Verano
For those who may not remember, the Buick Verano and Regal were two of the brand’s last-standing sedan models in the U.S., with the Verano killed off following an abbreviated 2017 model year, and the Buick Regal discontinued following the 2020 model year.
To note, both the Regal and Verano are still sold in China, although it should be mentioned that here in the U.S., Buick previously offered the Regal Tour X, an outdoorsy wagon model that never made it to China.
These days, however, Buick is exclusively a crossover brand in the U.S., offering the Encore, Encore GX, Envision, and Enclave.
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Comments
Lol, it’s because they have no choice. One sedan should be offered here.
True, but it sure says something about brand loyalty. These buyers could also opt for a sedan from another marquee, yet they chose the Buick. Gotta at least give kudos for that.
Thanks GM , I have to go get the Avalon now . Always tried to support you folks .
Think the Avalon is history after this generation if it doesn’t go hybrid.
It is hybrid
Not all. As a Buick buyer I am migrating to other brand but there’s no human power that is going to make me buy an SUV or a crossover no matter what for the simple reason that I don’t like them. I’m not the only GM buyer that thinks this way. Even when SUV’s and crossovers sell like hot cakes today, cancelling all sedans will only make that those leaving to other brands looking for a sedan, may not come back to Buick when market trends change again. A shame that a company that produced excellent cars like the GNX, the Riviera or the Regal produces now boring, unexiting and cookie cutter SUV’s and crossovers. I hope Buick gets cured of this SUV cancer and produces at least one decent automobile (sedan or coupe) for those who like driving and do care how they are transported from point A to point B.
I couldn’t have said it better myself. I rushed out and traded my 2012 LaCrosse for a 2019 LaCrosse to remain a sedan owner. When I need another sedan, I guess my choices won’t include Buick or GM. Perhaps it will be time to move to Honda. I think GM’s philosophy is if the only thing you can buy at the grocery store is broccoli, everybody will buy broccoli. No, it’s time to go to a different store.
VetteDriver
Honda Accord sales have fallen from 380,000 in 2015 to 199,000 in 2020. Also last year, Honda announced it was killing the: Honda Fit, Acura RLX & Acura NSX. I highly doubt Honda will still be making cars when your Lacrosse needs replacing.
No, you have a GM choice, Cadillac. Of course if they keep screwing that up Cadillac may be gone too!
I agree completely. The SUV is ugly! Gotta go with some foreign piece of cramp now. I’ve been buying GM for 50+ years. Sad!
Agree 100% I prefer a sedan or a couple and Buick should have at least one.
I owned a Regal GS and currently drive an Allure. Buick is dead to me.
This has affected me. I left home and went to Honda.
This article is a GM PR piece, pure and simple. Many Buick sedan owners want another sedan, and will go looking elsewhere for it, likely never to return to the GM or Buick brand. So much for brand loyalty. Not sure where I’ll head to replace my 2012 LaCrosse; most likely Lexus or Honda. But, you can be sure it won’t be a CUV/SUV from Buick.
This is a part of Mad Mary’s vision. Just like an all-electric GM selection by 2035. Too bad, so sad.
You mad bro?
Seems like you’re upset that people are actually moving from sedans to crossovers and you’re getting mad about facts. Don’t let reality get in the way of logic.
Not mad at all. What is reality for me (and many others) is evidently unacceptable to you. To each his own. I respect your opinion, so please respect mine.
Terry Alger
Lexus just discontinued it’s best Sedan the GS/Grand sport. Which leaves:
IS/itty-bitty Sedan
RC/Really small coupe(a.k.a Frankenstein because Lexus took pieces of 3 other vehicles welded them together to make this)
ES/Economy Sedan(Rebadged Camry)
LS/Largely overpriced Sedan
LC/Largely overpriced Coupe
Thanks for the info, Peter G. I had heard from other sources that the GS was discontinued. Looking for a certified used one. I’m sure others are, also,
I can’t do Lexus. Can’t stand their Entune infotainment system w/mouse pad. If you’re buying used O would always choose the Regal GS over the Lexus GS.
Toyota Tax not included.
PeterG,
You undercut your own point. That’s still a lot of cars. Five versus zero. So what if one is gone. At Buick, they’re all gone. Not that Buick actually competes with Lexus but if you believe that to be so, you’ve proven the point of others, not your own.
Ci2eye
Toyota is very slow to bring new models to market. So if they started killing off models simply because they don’t sell worth a crap they’re lineup would get very thin.
ES is not a rebadged Camry. It’s a more luxurious Avalon, which is in itself a pretty nice sedan.
Gor Mirzakhanyan
You never want to park the ES next to a Camry then. Because you could see it’s the same damn car.
Yes a sedan is needed. I guess I will be buying used. I am my 50’s but have advanced arthritis and cannot fathom not driving a sedan. Jumping out of or climbing into the SUV or crossovers is torture for me.
Meme my 80 yo father in law is leasing his 2nd Chevy Trax which he slides sideways into, arthritis and all. No up no down no gymnastics. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it, old geezer.
I laughed when I read this…do they really have a choice if they want to abandon their sedans for a newer vehicle? I know there are some German brands, Toyota, two FCA offerings, and Cadillac’s that still have sedans, but most automakers have put lift kits on all their sedans and turned them into CUV’s. I hate that move…I love cars, but I broke down and leased an Equinox in 2019. They serve their purpose. My 2015 Charger is getting up there in miles, so that will likely be traded in this year so my wife can get an SUV. Going back to the article, if someone has a Buick sedan, and they are brand loyal, they won’t see a single car on the Buick lots. I personally loved the new Lacrosse and was sad to see it go, along with the Chevy Impala. Now your only choice in the GM stable is to go with a Malibu (yuck) or one of the new smaller Caddy sedans ($$$).
Acura… there are other choices for sedans besides GM’s SUV’s.
But then you would have to buy a Honda+ and that lowly rated infotainment.
Maybe so, but they are also heading over to the imports offering sedans as well.
But at double-digit drop in sales since last decade. Meanwhile the Trailblazer has been knocking it out of the park!
I left Buick ——— I wanted a 2020 Lacrosse
You can still get one. Better yet a Cadillac CT6.
Not me, I am just going to buy a used Buick Regal.
So a lot of Americans do not care they are buying a thing that is built-in china!! SAD.
Gee, since Buick doesn’t make a sedan, if Buick sells anything it will be a cuv.
When we have to replace my wife’s Lacrosse, it will not be a new Buick cuv. Maybe a used Lacrosse or Regal or foreign.
The wife and I have owned several Buicks over the years but I don’t guess I’ll be in the market for a new one any more. Sorry, not interested in a crossover. I prefer my luggage and other items in the trunk, so you can’t have it turn into a projectile in the passenger compartment in an accident.
Don’t paint us all with the same broad brush; this Verano owner will never buy a Buick or other SUV/CUV. I have zero interest/need in such a vehicle. The author should have modified the article with “some” or “most” as a determiner if they couldn’t provide statistics. Since Buick removed all of my other sedan/hatchback choices, I plan move to Cadillac, so it’s still a win for GM.
I implore Mr. Lopez, the author of this article, or Mr. Lutz to forward the comments in this thread to the clueless “Marketing Director” of Buick, Rob Petersen, apparently ensconced in the Ivory Tower in Detroit collecting large paychecks without an OUNCE of knowledge about his Buick customers!! 1. WE WANT THE SEDANS BACK. 2. KEEP THE SPORTY REGAL. 3. QUIT IMPORTING THE ENVISION FROM COMMUNIST CHINA MOST OF US WITH A CLUE AIN’T BUYING A CCP MADE VEHICLE, BUILD IT IN MEXICO OR ANYWHERE BUT MAOIST CHINA!!! 4. MOST BUICK LOYALISTS HAVE ZERO INTEREST IN OVERPRICED UNRELIABLE CADILLAC SEDANS. 5. GET YOUR HEADS OUTTA YOUR A$$ES BUICK/GM DECISION MAKERS.
It’s the liberals fault we have to outsource in China. They gave labor all the power.
Pesky Liberals who believed in “An honest days work for an honest days pay”
There-in lies the problem. Union loving liberals don’t believe in 8 hours of work for 8 hours of pay
If obama got rid of unions GM wouldn’t need a bailout!
GM is Better
8 years of bad economic policies of Bush 43 lead to Economic meltdown in 2008. The Detroit automakers we’re already underwater and sinking fast when Obama came into office.
Check your political ideology & indoctrination at the door. It is well documented that the “Great Recession” of 2007-2009 was caused primarily by the Banking & Wall St Collapse due to underwriting BAD MORTGAGE LOANs to people who wouldn’t qualify TODAY & DIDN’T qualify PRIOR TO BILL CLINTON & the DEMOCRAT Congress FORCING the Banks by Legislation to make the loans. Apparently Clinton was an expert getting BJs from his subordinates while failing Economics 101. Bush had a collosal FAIL in his second term NOT recognizing the coming collapse & putting in a safety net. Perhaps because of his intense focus on terrorists & terrorism after 9-11.
Liberalism kills. Conservatism saves.
MossmanMike
Really, you’re blaming Clinton for something that happened 7 years after he left office.
And your defense of Bush43 is “It is impossible to walk and chew gum at the same time” LOL
Alternative theory:
We fought 2 wars on borrowed money. All that money fueled a real estate bubble.
We had to borrow money to pay for the wars so the terrorists wouldn’t block our oil so we wouldn’t have to drive Mary Barra golf carts!!
GM is better
And your wife had to sleep with the mailman because you weren’t there.
Prez BJ in Chief ordered his HUD director Andrew “I literally just ordered 12,000+ Seniors in NY Nursing Homes to a death sentence” Cuomo, to quit “Red-lining” mortgage loans & the forever standard 20% down practice. 3% down then ZERO down in late 90’s commanded Clinton. I got my mortgage with 5% down in 2001. Try to get that deal NOW Einstein. You’re political ideology has irreparably polluted your brain PG. You have lots of company these days.
MossManMike
Sorry, I don’t speak right wing crazy. Try again in plain English. Without rightwing homo-erotic pet names.
Liberals dont have brains.
GM is Better
You morons attacked your own capital in an effort to overturn the results of a free and fare election.
That’s about as stupid as stupid gets.
“About as stupid as stupid gets” is when an indoctrinated Lefty loon like PG can’t tell the difference between capital & capitol AND fare & fair all in the same sentence. So who’s the MORON again PG??? Turn off the propaganda fake news channels & expand your horizons Einstein.
In other news, folks are flocking to those new-fangled LED light bulbs. They may not be happy about it but if you take away their choice, they have to either buy them or live life in the dark.
Buick is dead to me. It’s been just a repository brand for years but now they only sell three boring CUVs, one imported from Korea and the other from Communist China which is the only market Buick has any interest in catering to. The folks at Buick have no interest in Americans anymore and accordingly, I have no interest in them anymore.
I’m old enough to remember when ‘The Great American Road Belonged to Buick’, there was a place in America called Buick City, and your Buick store had a full line of vehicles including luxury sedans, stylish coupes, sport hatches, and S,M, and L wagons. Today’s Buick only sells modern-day station wagons and they’re imported.
Ci2eye
Joe Biden promised to unite America. Which means Lansing Michigan, where the Buick Enclave is built, will soon be part of America again.
BTW: Thanks for the light bulb story. It explains why so many conservative groups in our country continue to live in the dark.
PeterG.,
What does the collapse of the Buick brand in the US market have to do with Joe Biden? Also, what does taking consumer choice away on light bulbs have to do with one’s political persuasion? As best I can tell, folks of all stripes bought incandescent light bulbs for years but now buy LEDs because their option to pick one over the other has been taken from them. I am making no point about the merits of one light bulb over the other in terms of efficiency vs. quality of illumination but merely saying one could decree that LED bulbs are finding strong consumer acceptance but that doesn’t tell the whole story. They sell because the old standby, incandescent (sedans) is no longer an option.
Mr. Peterson might like to know that last year Buick only sold 162,741 vehicles in its home market with sales declining by more than 20 percent from the prior year.
Some twenty years ago, at the end of the 20th Century, Buick sold 445,611 vehicles for the 1999 model year.
A bit over twenty years before that, in 1978, Americans bought 795,316 cars with the tri-shield logo, an all-time record.
Obviously all is not well. Buick buyers have been going somewhere else for over 40 years now and last year, it appears they continued to do so.
Goodbye GM.
Or they are migrating over to other brands that offer what they want such as my friend in Ohio who has bought Buicks for years and now owns a Hyundai Sonata or another friend who wanted a LaCrosse and now owns a 300. If these arrogant CEO’s actually think everybody is going to stay in the GM they have another thing coming.
If the capitol patriots broke into GM maybe we could get our gas sedans back!
Hmmm, saw a very similar piece on a Chevy forum. Sounds to me like wishful thinking from the marketing department. I won’t choose brand loyalty over buying what I really want.