What’s all the hype about young people buying Buick? Apparently, it has a lot to do with the new spokesperson Shaquille O’Neal. According to Car And Driver Magazine contributor Don Klein, Shaq has made a car that was already trending toward the young even more popular. Klein writes, “Even if you factor out the people who don’t like him, you’re still left with a huge number of target audience prospects who do like him, and whose perception about the LaCrosse might likely be influenced by his endorsement.”

Buick, especially the 2013 Buick Enclave may be losing that old stereotype that the car is for seniors. More college bound seniors, and their safety-minded parents, are finding that this is the car to drive for reliability, storage and amenities. The Sirius XM radio with a 3 month free subscription appeals to the 20 something group and the OnStar Roadside Assistance appeals to their parents. The car also has iPod connectors and a 40-GB hard drive in the dash. That feature is attracting everyone with a passion for good music!

The new Buick Enclave is also a big hit with parents in their 30s. It is luxurious like most of the other crossover SUVs on the market but it is also practical. This vehicle is “family affordable”. Consumers are still concerned with the economy so they aren’t dropping outrageous bucks on autos known for their name-brand appeal like BMW. Instead they are buying the Buick Enclave with all of the same features, better gas mileage and a lower price tag.

These new Buicks are popular with families because they are seriously roomie! They can easily fit a family of 7 with plenty of space left over in the cargo hold for sporting equipment and groceries.

Celebrities like Shaq and Peyton Manning are drawing the attention of the under 65 crowd but the features and price tag are selling the car!

The new Buick Regal GS has just taken the leap from ordinary Buick vehicle to being one of the legendary Buick greats. The Buick GS is becoming the newest Buick to become one of the classic collectible Buick vehicles. The classic car insurance firm, Hagerty’s Insurance, has recently come out with their “2012 Hot List” in which they list excellent modern vehicles with a list price below $100,000. Often the vehicles on the list are expected to become classic collectibles in the future, and they are definitely right about the Buick Regal GS!

The company believes that the GS will be known as a collectible vehicle in the future. Hagerty’s Insurance was particularly impressed with the decision for the Regal to come with a standard manual transmission. They wrote “at a time when allegedly more sporting makes don’t offer real three-pedal manual transmissions, Buick is doing it with the Regal GS.”

“The Regal GS is a unique and thrilling vehicle for the Buick brand,” said General Motors North America President Mark Reuss. “As someone who drove a classic Skylark to prom and owned other incredible Buicks like an ’87 GNX, I can say it deserves to be viewed among the best Buick has built.”

The Regal GS is not the only Buick vehicle to have embraced the list of Buick classic collectibles. Many Buicks have proven that they are worth collecting over the years. After the “2012 Hot List” was released, Hagerty’s Insurance teamed up with Buick to work together to compile a list of the top ten most collectible Buicks ever. Some of the Buicks listed hold values well over the $100,000 mark.

The top ten collectible Buick vehicles that the two companies worked together to name are the 2012 Buick Regal GS, 1932 Model 90 sport phaeton, 1937 66C Century convertible coupe, 1940 Super Model 59 Woody Estate Wagon, 1947 Roadmaster Woody Wagon, 1949 Roadmaster Convertible, 1953 Skylark, 1963 Riviera, 1970 GSX Stage 1 Hardtop Coupe, and the 1987 GNX.

”In order to be included on the annual Hagerty Hot List, the vehicle must be geared toward the driving enthusiast beyond just being a form of transportation,” said Hagerty.” Like the other Buick classics listed here, the 2012 Regal GS will be remembered more than most of its peers for many years down the road.”

If you are interested in any of our excellent GMC or Buick vehicles please visit our contact us page!

Buick has their Buick Achievers Scholarship which is helping kids all over America afford tuition and books. But previously the scholarship has only been open to students who are current high school students. Now Buick and the General Motors Foundation have announced that they will expand the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program for the 2012 year. The scholarship program will now include college undergraduate students for the 2012-2013 year.

“In its second year, lessons learned were incorporated to further the Buick Achievers’ mission to inspire, celebrate and enable human achievement,” said Mary Barra, senior vice president of Global Product Development. “These new steps demonstrate the commitment to a future generation inspired by the college experience and motivated to make a difference in their world.”

The program is a four and a half million a year program and the change to include the undergraduates was announced at the North American Auto Show. This was the same show where Buick debuted their new Encore Luxury Crossover. One of the hopes of the program directors by the expansion of the program is to be able to now include undergraduate students who have had more time to decide if they want to pursue majors in the qualifying programs of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, design, marketing, and business administration.

“Almost one half of college students drop out before completing their education,” said Scholarship America Senior Vice President Donald Lassere. “Many cite the lack of financial resources as the principle reason for dropping out. By including current undergraduate students, the Buick Achievers program will enable many deserving students to complete their education.”

The scholarship program also takes the student’s level of community service commitment into consideration. This will give another advantage to undergraduate students, who will have been presented with more community service opportunities through school. The changes in the scholarship program will also expand the level of importance that is placed on the community service activities.

The program was only launched last year in 2011, and already it has changed the lives of many college students across America. Every year one thousand one hundred students will be awarded scholarships by the program. The program is for students who have demonstrated classroom achievement and achievement in their community. The program also emphasizes that the funds are for students who would otherwise be unable to attend college.

The program gives two different types of awards for the students. One hundred students will receive up to twenty five thousand dollars a year for their scholarships, which are renewable for up to four years for regular math and science programs and the program is also renewable to these students for an additional year if the student is enrolled in a five year engineering program. The other one thousand students involved in the program will receive a one time award of two thousand dollars each. The GM foundation is the only foundation funding this Buick scholarship program and the program is actually one of the largest programs in America awarded over multiple years.

“Special consideration is given to students who are military personnel, veterans or their dependents, as well as women and other minority groups,” said GM Foundation Chairman Bob Ferguson.  “This ensures that we help build a strong and diverse manufacturing work force that will ultimately strengthen our nation’s global competitiveness.”

When the program began in 2011 Buick gave scholarships to students in all fifty states. Half of the scholarships were awarded to students who had no other hope of attending school, and who were the first to attend college in their families.

Information and applications for the scholarship are available at www.buickachievers.com.  The scholarship deadline for 2012 is February twenty ninth. If you would like more information on how you can help support Buick and the Buick Achievers Scholarship by purchasing Buick and GMC vehicles please visit our contact us page or call 888-306-1908!

Buick Enclave sales are keeping a pace that should set records and many people are asking why? The Enclave debuted way back in 2007. Based on usual industry trends, the sales should have begun to slow down by now, but that’s not the case with the Enclave. Buick sold 52,837 Enclaves through November. That represents an 8 percent increase from the same period last year.

So what’s going on? One theory links the sales boom to heavy incentive blitzing. But Enclave has not been singled out for sales incentives. So much for that theory. The truth is that since the car debuted it has changed little and it’s simply an appealing style that has remained the same. Once shunned for unimaginative vehicles, General Motors’ Buick is on a roll today. The Enclave is a crossover that bucks conventional wisdom – it’s headed for Buick’s record book!

The brand’s overall sales are up too. Through November, 162,659 Buicks rolled out of dealerships – that’s an 18 percent sales increase. And those numbers don’t include the new crossover or the ne Verano sales.

The new Buick crossover, the Encore, should keep sales high. The Encore debuts at theDetroitauto show and production kicks up even higher in December. 

Then there’s the Verano. It was a finalist in Motor Trend’s recent Car of the Year competition. Rumor has it that it missed the coveted award by a hair. With a more powerful engine it would likely capture the title. A more powerful engine is coming next year.

The Verano is a compact sedan. It has unique features, both interior and exterior. It has great style, power trains, and a wide range of tuning.

Buick is on a great new roll and the Enclave is leading the way. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle or just realized that you’re in the wrong car, contact Scott McCorkle’s Liberty Buick GMC Trucks today at 866-442-0871 or come by the new showroom at 9028 East Independence Boulevard, Matthews, NC 28105. And check out the website at www.clickliberty.com. Start the New Year off right with a new Buick or other great GMC vehicle today!

The 2012 Buick Verano luxury sedan is as quiet as they come, but with Bose sound equipped that all just might change! The engineers for the 2012 Verano designed the cabin to be one of the quietest on the market today and now the Bose premium sound system that has been incorporated into the luxury vehicle will be taking advantage of that fine tuned quiet to amplify the sound of the speakers.

Chuck Russell, the vehicle line director for the Verano, had this to say about the Bose system: “Verano is the perfect setting for music-lovers to enjoy their favorite recordings on the road, because its interior is well-insulated from outside noises, letting the Bose system shine. Verano owners will be amazed by how great the Bose system sounds on the road, even at low volume.”

The Bose company used their “Clean Sheet” method for developing the vehicle’s speaker system. They came to the conclusion of using a seven channel, nine speaker sound system due to the “Clean Sheet” method. This means that the company analyzed the car’s interior before they finished the tuning and equalizing of the sound system in order to maximize the natural acoustics of the vehicle’s interior.

The engineers that work for Bose checked out every seat in the car before finalizing their tuning and equalizing. They collected microphone readings from each of the speakers in the vehicle from each of the seating positions which added up to hundreds of measurements. Then they utilized this data to custom tailor the tuning and equalizer to fit the acoustic for the Verano.

This maximizes the ability to play music through the car’s speakers without audible distortions, regardless of the volume of the speakers. The speech in the sound system sounds very natural and the music comes from the speakers perfectly balanced. The bass in the vehicle uses multiple sources to capture the proper performance from the musical artist being listened to.

“There is an art and a science to designing a great vehicle sound system,” said Joe McCabe, Bose audio systems engineer. “Acoustic measurements are an essential starting point, but it also takes a human approach to fine-tune a premium system like the one in the Buick Verano.”

The new verano also utilizes some of Bose’s well known noise cancellation and reduction technologies. This technology is utilized to help reduce if not eliminate the sounds coming from the road, the wind outside, and the engine. This should allow the passengers in the vehicle to listen to music at a reasonable volume and still be able to hear the music.

There are nine different features to the quiet tuning of this Buick. First, The steel front-of-dash panel is sandwiched between two damping mats. Then nylon baffles are placed at different hollow spots in the body structure and then filled with sound-absorbing foam that expands when the body enters the paint oven. While the body is in the paint oven, the headliner is made with five layers of thermal fiber acoustic material, including a premium woven fabric on the visible outer layer.

Throughout the process, liquid applied sound deadener is robotically applied throughout the body structure to both deaden and dampen unwanted noises and vibrations. The manufacturers then use sound insulation material between rear-body structural components made from recycled denim. The Verano’s triple-sealed doors feature fiberglass “blankets” that serve as water, airflow and noise barriers. The engineers also manufactured the doors to close with precision quietness through technology known as beta-bracing. The brake and fuel lines in the Verano are designed perfectly to prevent vibrations. The windshield and side glass consist of 5.4-mm- and 4.85mm-thick acoustic laminated glass respectively. And finally, the engine’s intake and exhaust systems are made to create the least possible sound.

And this excellent sound system comes standard on all leather-appointed 2012 Veranos! If you are interested in a great new Buick Verano, please visit our contact us page or call 888-306-1908!

The new 2012 Buick Verano will put a new twist on an old classic- the steam engine. It is expected that this new use of this technology will give drivers the smooth and quiet ride that Buick customers are accustomed to. By providing great, agile driving capabilities, Buick wants  to give drivers what they’ve come to expect from this luxury brand.

The part of the steam engine that the new Buick will be making use of is the Z-link design. The Z-link design will be used in the rear suspension of the vehicle, It is expected that using this technology in this way will center the rear axle of the vehicle while the vehicle is turning, which will caus the vehicle to turn smoothly.

The Z-link is actually a design that is based on the device invented in 1874 by Jame’s Watt called Watt’s linkage. Watt’s linkage is a device that is used to drive a stem engineby moving the pistons in a straight up and down motion. GM’s new Z-link design refines other modern adaptations of Watt’s Linkage, which have used the technology in the past to prevent the axle and body of the vehicle from moving sideways.

What this new Z-link design accomplishes is that it provides a greater stiffness laterally in the vehicle, which allows the vehicle to better respond to steering input when making corners. This technology will also help keep the rear suspension in sync with the front suspension. And when driving the vehicle down a straight road, it will provide excellent ride comfort because of the Z-link suspension design.

Matt Purdy, Verano Vehicle performance manager, said “By using a Z-link on Verano, we were able to achieve the crisp chassis dynamics, a smooth ride, and hushed road noise that Buick customers have come to expect. Z-link and other chassis refinements implemented on Verano are expected to deliver unmatched ride quality in the luxury compact car segment.”

The Verano developers are committed to preventing uncomfortable vehicle vibrations and providing better fuel economy. Verano’s front suspension is designedwith special lightweight materials to reduce vibrations in the vehicle and provide better gas mileage. The Verano also uses urethane cushions to reduce uwanted vibrations.

Chuck Russell, Verano’s vehicle line director added “Verano couples these chassis technologies with remarkable acoustic refinement to deliver the quiet cabin, agile handling and superior ride that our customers have come to expect from Buick.”

For more information about how we can help you get a new 2012 Buick Verano, please visit our contact us page or call 888-306-1908.

Jessica Harmon, Staff Writer, CCP Web Design 10-28-11.

The makers of the new Buick Verano had comfort in mind when they were designing the seats for this vehicle. The new seats will include technology to prevent seat hot spots and will even be equipped to accommodate the ponytail hairstyle. The new technology took over a thousand hours of hard work to develop, but it was definitely worth it to get the most comfortable seats possible for this luxury vehicle.

The new Verano will use the exact same grade of leather for its seats as the LaCrosse vehicle, but in the Verano the seats will be designed to create more support on the side of the seat for passengers. This design was created in order to hold passengers in the most comfortable position possible for long journeys, and the design will prevent seat hot spots from occurring when driving long distances.

But the developers of this vehicle didn’t just stop with the design. They spent thousands of hours having people test the seats for minutes in some cases and hours in others. They made sure to get several different body types to sit in the seats, so they could be sure the seats would be comfortable for everyone. Then these testers were able to give their feedback to the engineers, to make sure the seats were made just right!

The seats are also ergonomically designed, to create the most comfort without compromising functionality. The soft-touch center stack controls are within easy reach in the seat and the head rests are positioned to accommodate those with a ponytail hairstyle, without sacrificing the comfort of posture for the occupant. The new Verano will also offer more front and rear headroom, rear shoulder room, and passenger and cargo volume than several others in its class.

The new Verano will even offer an automatic climate control system and voice control system from Buick’s new infotainment system. The system optimizes noise-reducing technologies for the best cabin acoustics and quietness. The makers of the Verano want to make sure their customers are satisfied and feel like they really are buying a luxury vehicle.

“When we set out to design a comfortable interior for Verano our goal was for customers to feel like vacation begins as soon as they get in the car, and not when they reach their destination,” said Brian Schell, Verano program engineering manager. “By making comfort our first priority, we were able to create seats that will make customers feel more at ease and connected to the car for a more-satisfying ride experience.”

If you would like more information about how we can put you in a new 2012 Buick Verano, please visit our contact us page, or call 888-306-1908. We would love to help you get the new Verano as soon as possible!

At Liberty Buick GMC Trucks we are always thinking about what the cars of the future might be like.  Last month GM gave us a peek at what to expect.

GM and LG Electric will work together on a long-term basis to design future electric cars. This is the first major collaboration between an auto maker and a consumer electronics giant.  You’re probably familiar with LG Electric for its forward-design appliances: televisions, refrigerators, washers and dryers.  Teams of LG Electric and GM engineers will work together on key electronic components and vehicle design.  Once production starts, LG Electric will then become GM’s major electronics supplier for the cars.

• Quiet – They will be amazingly quiet—no noisy internal combustion engine anymore.  Maybe just the low hum of a servo.  Imagine what that will do for congested city streets.  And your sound system.
• Reliable – They will be more reliable—no fuel pump issues, GPS mishaps, or AC malfunctions.
• Cost Efficient – They will be more cost efficient—no gas, no oil changes, no tune-ups.

Eventually, they will look a lot different—car designers will move away from the requirements needed to accommodate the gasoline engine.  Your car may look more like your living room.  (Add the LG Electric flat screen and fridge, you’ll be all set.)

Driving will be a different experience—electric cars have a lower center of gravity and better performance, so driving your Buick LaCrosse or, yes, your GMC Sierra, will feel more like driving a sports car!

Ready to plug-in right now?  Despite recent success with a few test cars, we’re still a few years away from a range of choices in the electric category that will fit the needs of many different auto customers.  GM and LG Electric did not indicate a timetable for the R&D phase of their new project.  However, it’s probably safe to assume most of us will be driving battery-powered cars before stricter emission standards take effect in 2025.

And someday you’ll be able to tell your grandkids about tanking up at the service station.

Looking for the latest innovations in today’s models?  We are always happy to help you pick the vehicle that’s right for you at Scott McCorkle’s Liberty Buick GMC Trucks.  Come see us at 9028 East Independence in Matthews 28105, or for more information, visit us at www.clickliberty.com, or call 888-306-1908.

Linda Sarazen
CCP Web Design
Staff Writer

When it comes to flag waving, nothing beats driving an American car. What champions the independent American spirit more than an American-made vehicle that combines performance, luxury and safety to keep American moving forward, in the right direction?  

The Buick Enclave is an American statement. A real American car. It combines features that utilize the latest technology with classic luxury and beautiful design, at a price that today’s American consumer can afford.

When Buick designed the Enclave comfort was high on their priority list. Without exception, every reviewer that has commented on the Enclave makes a point to mention the outstanding acoustics. U.S. News called Enclave’s interior, “whisper quiet,” with one of the most comfortable interiors of vehicles in its class.

Other well-known reviewers including Edmunds, Consumer Reports, CarMax, and Auto Spectator all comment on Enclave’s graceful design and handling. Enclave is full of curves and short on angles. The curvy design still allows for a very roomy interior that comfortably accommodates eight passengers.

The 2012 Buick Enclave can easily haul eight people and all their equipment too. Enclave’s towing capacity of 4500 pounds and high safety ratings make it a crossover vehicle that converts road trips into pleasurable alternatives. Compare a hectic, crowded airport environment to a ride in the Enclave when it comes time for the next weekend getaway or a long-distance vacation.  The Enclave performs well in crash tests and provides a smooth, quiet highway experience.  

Edmunds says, “The three-row 2011 Buick Enclave crossover SUV is an excellent choice for families who want minivan functionality along with classy styling and a luxurious interior.” The Enclave actually has a cargo volume substantially greater than that of any competitor.

Edmunds adds that the Enclave is “ sleek” with a “smooth and quiet ride.”

The well-known blog, www.thetruthaboutcars.com, gives the Enclave four stars and says, “So much of the Buick Enclave is so right— the sensuous exterior, the roomy versatile interior, the smooth silent ride.”

The Buick Enclave combines the best in American ingenuity and craftsmanship: All the comforts with added features, a quiet ride, top safety ratings and a hauling capacity that rivals all the other vehicles in its class. Ready to plan your next road trip? Check out Buick Enclave today!

Kelli Horne
Staff Writer

2011 Buick Enclave

For the first time, GM customers will automatically receive a 3-month Sirius XM Radio subscription FREE when they purchase a pre-owned vehicle factory installed with satellite radio. This was announced on June 20, 2011 by Sirius XM Radio, and is effective regardless of the manufacturer. The main criteria are that the vehicles must be purchased from one of over 1000 participating GM dealerships across the United States. This is great news for drivers in Charlotte, Matthews & Monroe, NC!

2012 GMC Terrain Stereo-Nav Control Panel

“For the first time ever, participating GM dealers are able to give their pre-owned vehicle customers a 3-month subscription to SiriusXM regardless of vehicle brand,” said Joe Verbrugge, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Automotive Remarketing Division, SiriusXM. “GM dealers across the country are responding enthusiastically to this opportunity to give SiriusXM to their customers who won’t need to sacrifice innovative technologies or entertainment when buying a pre-owned vehicle.”

SiriusXM is America’s satellite radio company and broadcasts more than 135 satellite radio channels of commercial-free music, and premier sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather, and data services to 20.6 million subscribers. SiriusXM offers an array of content from many of the biggest names in entertainment, as well as from professional sports leagues, major colleges, and national news and talk providers.

2011 Buick Enclave Interior

This programming is available on more than 800 devices, including pre-installed and after-market radios in cars, trucks, boats and aircraft, smartphones and mobile devices, and consumer electronics products for homes and offices. For more information on SiriusXM, please visit www.siriusxm.com.

According to a recent article by Automotive News, “Earlier this year, Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin attributed the company’s ongoing financial rebound from its near-bankruptcy experience in 2009 to the auto industry. As of March 31, Sirius XM reported 20.6 million total subscribers, up 9 percent from the same period a year earlier. During the first quarter, the company added 373,064 new subscribers, a 118 percent increase over the same quarter last year.”

Many impressive new and used vehicles can found at any of the Charlotte, Matthews or Monroe, Scott McCorkle’s Liberty Buick GMC Trucks locations. For more information, visit www.clickliberty.com, or call us at 888-306-1908.

Source: SiriusXM Press Release (See press release dated June 20, 2011.)

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CCP Staff Writer: Kimberly Brouillette, 6/28/11
www.ccpwebdesign.com