It’s no secret that Buick sells a lot more cars in China than it does in the U.S. (about four times more in 2013), which is why the brand will begin exporting the latest edition of its Enclave luxury crossover to the world’s largest auto market.
“Last year we set the brand’s global sales record, topping 1 million units. We want to continue to push that growth where appropriate and the crossover market in China is rapidly expanding,” said Duncan Aldred, U.S. vice president of Buick and GMC.
Facelifted for 2013, the three-row luxury crossover offers updated styling, new safety technologies, in-vehicle connectivity and the promise of a “more refined driving experience”.
The SUV is powered by a direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 producing 288hp, mated to an updated six-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave is sold in both two- and four-wheel drive configurations and offers new safety features including available camera-based Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning, along with the industry’s first front center side air bag system that helps protect drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes.
In 2013, the Enclave achieved its best U.S. retail sales year ever, growing 7 percent to 54,330 units. It was also the brand’s best-selling nameplate in the U.S. The pre-facelift Enclave was exported to China from 2008 to 2013 and sold over 25,000 units.
By Dan Mihalascu
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