Buick () is a division (business), division of the United States, American automobile manufacturer General Motors (GM). Started by automotive pioneer David Dunbar Buick in 1899, it was among the first American Brand, marques of automobiles, and was the company that established General Motors in 1908. Before the establishment of General Motors, GM founder William C. Durant had served as Buick's general manager and major investor. In the North American market, Buick is a premium automobile brand, selling luxury vehicles positioned above GM's mainstream brands, while priced below the flagship luxury Cadillac division. Buick's current target demographic according to ''The Detroit News'' is "a successful executive with family." After securing its market position in the late 1930s, when junior companion brand Marquette (automobile), Marquette and Cadillac junior brand LaSalle (automobile), LaSalle were discontinued, Buick was positioned as an upscale luxury car below the Cadillac. During this same time period, many manufacturers were introducing V8 engines in their high-end models, while Buick used a Buick Straight-8 engine, straight-8 for all models starting in 1931. The first Buick V8 engine, Buick V8 was introduced in 1953, then in 1962, the Buick V6 was introduced for the compact Special model. Buick engines, with few exceptions, have always used overhead valve engine, overhead valves which the company pioneered in the 1904 Buick Model B. In 2017, Buick sold more than 1.4 million vehicles worldwide, a record for the brand. Buick's largest market is China, which accounts for 80% of its sales. Buicks are also sold in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. U.S. market share in 2022 was 1.2%, down by nearly half of its market share in 2000.

History

Early years

Buick is one of the oldest automobile brands in the world and currently the oldest in the United States. (Autocar Company, Autocar, founded in 1897, is the oldest motor vehicle manufacturer in the western hemisphere; while originally an automobile maker, Autocar now builds heavy trucks. Oldsmobile, also an early automaker founded in 1897, is now defunct; Studebaker was founded in 1852, but did not begin producing automobiles until 1902; Henry Ford produced his first car in 1896 but did not start the Ford Motor Co. until 1903, and during the period in between was involved with other automobile manufacturers such as Cadillac, founded in 1902). The first two Buick automobiles were made in 1899 and 1900 at the "Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company" by chief engineer Walter Lorenzo Marr, Walter Marr, but company owner David Dunbar Buick was reluctant to begin making automobiles, being satisfied with stationary and marine engine production, so Marr left Buick in 1901 to found Marr (automobile), his own automobile company under his own name. His replacement was Eugene Richard, who applied for a patent in 1902 for Marr's valve-in-head (Overhead valve engine, overhead valve) engine, which patent, number 771,095, was awarded to Richard in the name of Buick in 1904. In 1903, the third Buick automobile was made, this time by Richard, but in 1904 Buick, whose company was now called "Buick Motor Company", moved from Detroit to Flint, Michigan, and Richard stayed behind. Marr was rehired in Flint as chief engineer, to begin making automobiles in production. That year, 37 Buick automobiles were made, production increasing to 750 in 1905, 1,400 in 1906, 4,641 in 1907, and 8,800 in 1908, taking the number one spot away from close competitors Oldsmobile, Ford Motor Company, Ford, and Maxwell automobile, Maxwell. David Buick incorporated his company as the Buick Motor Company on May 19, 1903, in Detroit, Michigan. Buick had been financed by a friend and fellow automobile enthusiast, Benjamin Briscoe, who in September 1903 sold control of the business to James H. Whiting, of Flint Wagon Works, in Flint, Michigan. Whiting moved Buick to Flint, to a location across the street from his factory, with the idea of adding Buick's engines to his wagons. David Buick stayed on as a manager and re-hired Walter Marr as chief engineer. The engine Buick and Marr developed for this automobile was a two-cylinder valve-in-head engine of 159 cubic inches, with each cylinder boxer engine, horizontal and opposed to the other by 180 degrees. Whiting built only a few automobiles in 1904, the Buick Model B, Model B, before running out of operating capital, causing him to bring in William C. Durant that year as controlling investor. Durant built a few more model B's in 1904, stepped up production for the model C in 1905, and spent the next four years turning Buick into the biggest-selling automobile brand in the US. During the 19th century, Durant had made his fortune as co-owner, also in Flint, with Josiah Dallas Dort, of the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, which by 1904 was the largest carriage-making company in the country and one of the largest in the world. Durant moved most Buick production to the former Durant-Dort Imperial Wheel plant in Jackson, Michigan in 1905. Buick continued car production in Jackson through 1907, when Factory #1 was completed in Flint. The Jackson plant continued production with Buick trucks through 1912. David Buick sold his stock upon departure in 1906, making him a wealthy man, but he died in modest circumstances 25 years later. In 1907, Durant agreed to supply motors to Samuel McLaughlin, R. S. McLaughlin in Canada, an automaker, and in 1908 he founded General Motors. Between 1899 and 1902, two prototype vehicles were built in Detroit, Michigan by Walter Lorenzo Marr. Some documentation exists of the 1901 or 1902 prototype with tiller steering similar to the Oldsmobile Curved Dash. In mid-1904, another prototype was constructed for an endurance run, which convinced Whiting to authorize production of the first models offered to the public. The architecture of this prototype was the basis for the Model B. The first Buick made for sale, the 1904 horizontally opposed 2-cylinder engine Buick Model B, Model B, was built in Flint, Michigan at a re-purposed factory that was known as the Flint Wagon Works. There were 37 Buicks made that year, none of which survive. There are, however, two replicas in existence: the 1904 endurance car, at the Buick Gallery & Research Center in Flint, and a Model B assembled by an enthusiast in California for the division's 100th anniversary. Both of these vehicles use various parts from Buicks of that early era, as well as fabricated parts. These vehicles were each constructed with the two known surviving 1904 engines. The early success of Buick is attributed mainly to what it called the valve-in-head engine, now known as the Overhead valve engine, overhead valve (OHV), engine patented by Eugene Richard and developed by Richard, Buick, and Marr. The Model F had a two-cylinder engine, an 87-inch wheelbase and weighed 1,800 lbs. The creation of General Motors is attributed mainly to the success of Buick, so it can be said Walter Lorenzo Marr, Marr and Richard's designs directly led to GM. The power train and chassis architecture introduced on the Model B was continued through the 1909 Model F. The Model F was similar to the Model G, a lower-priced two-seat roadster, produced from 1906 until 1909. Both the F and G were powered by a two-cylinder 159 engine producing along with a 2-speed transmission as well as mechanical brakes on the rear wheels. The flat-twin engine is inherently balanced, with torque presented to the chassis in a longitudinal manner. The engine was mounted Mid-engine design, amidships. William C. Durant, Billy Durant was a promoter, and Buick soon became the largest carmaker in America. Durant embarked on a series of corporate acquisitions, calling the new firm General Motors. At first, the manufacturers comprising General Motors competed against each other, but Durant ended that. He wanted each General Motors division to target one class of buyers. Buick was positioned below the Cadillac (automobile), Cadillac brand. To save on resources, Buick vehicles shared a common platform, called the GM A platform, that was shared with Chevrolet, Oakland Motor Car Company, Oakland, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac. At first, Buick followed the likes of D. Napier & Son, Napier in automobile racing, winning the first-ever race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The first full-size Buick to join the smaller Model B was in 1907, when the Buick Four, Buick Model D was introduced with a four-cylinder T-head engine, installed in the front with rear-wheel drive. This was one of the only cars with side valves that Buick ever made.

1910s - 1920s

In 1910, Buick introduced the Buick Four, Model 10 with an OHV four-cylinder engine followed in 1911, with their first closed-body car, the Buick Six, that followed the same bodystyle that first appeared at Cadillac, and four years ahead of Ford Motor Company, Ford. The car was built at the all-new factory in Flint which later became known as Buick City. Buick during the 1920s made various sized vehicles, with series designations for different years, sometimes using numbers, while later years using lettered designations. One of the larger vehicles, with straight-six, was the Buick Master Six. In the 1910s and 1920s, Buick was a prestige brand in the Republic of China with the brand driven by or for high-level politicians and the Emperor of China, Emperor. Buick now sells 80% of its production in the People's Republic of China and is a minor player in Taiwan. In 1929, as part of General Motors Companion Make Program, General Motors' companion make program, Buick Motor Division launched the Marquette automobile, Marquette sister brand, designed to bridge the price gap between Buick and Oldsmobile; however, Marquette was discontinued in 1930. All Buick, Marquette, Viking (automobile), Viking, and Oldsmobile products shared the newly introduced GM B platform starting in 1926.

1930s

Buick debuted two major achievements for the 1931 model year, the Overhead valve, OHV Buick Straight-8 engine and a synchromesh transmission in all models but the Series 50. The Eight was offered in three displacements, the 220 cubic inch (bore 2 7/8 in. stroke 4.25 in.), was available in the Series 50 with 77 brake HP. The Series 60 engine was a 272 cu. in. unit (bore 3 1/16 in., stroke 5 in.) giving 90 brake HP. Cadillac had previously introduced the Cadillac Type 51 with a flathead V8 engine in 1915 which made usage of an eight-cylinder engine a luxury feature. The Series 80 and Series 90 used a 344 cu. in. version (bore 3 5/16 in., stroke 5 in.) for 104 brake HP. Automatic vacuum-operated spark advance was another feature replacing the steering column-mounted spark lever although an emergency lever was now dash mounted. Buick scored another first in 1939 when it became the first company to introduce turn signals, which did not appear on other car brands until almost a decade later. All 1939 models also had a steering column-mounted shift lever. In the mid-1930s McLaughlin-Buicks were purchased by British monarch Edward VIII. He had a preference for the Canadian built McLaughlin-Buick. Buicks were used for royal transport within Canada, including for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, Elizabeth during the 1939 royal tour of Canada. In the 1920s and 1930s Cadillac and Buick vehicles were popular with long-distance passenger service operators e.g. the Nairn Transport Company#Vehicles, Nairn Transport Company in the Middle East (Baghdad-Damascus). File:1904Buick.jpg, 1904 Buick Model B File:1905 Buick Model C.jpg, alt=Buick Model C, Jackson, Michigan, 1905 Buick Model B, Buick Model C File:Woman on Buick.jpg, 1910 Buick Model 10 Runabout File:1914 BUICK B-35 PHAETEN, AM-91-91 pic1.JPG, 1914 Buick Six, Buick Six Model B-35 phaeton File:Buick Roadster 1917.jpg, 1917 Buick Four, Buick D-35 roadster File:Buick E-Six 45 (1918) 1Y7A6067.jpg, 1918 Buick Six, Buick E-45 File:Buick Roadster 1922.jpg, 1922 Buick Six, Buick Model 22-54 Sport roadster File:Buick Standard Model 25 Touring 1925 2.jpg, 1925 Buick Master Six, Buick Master Six Series 25 touring File:16 21 2362 museum.jpg, 1925 Buick Master Six File:SLNSW 22578 192930 Buick coupe.jpg, 1929 Buick Series 40, Buick Series 46 Business Coupe File:Buick Coupe Series 26 (1930) (20634081715).jpg, 1930 Buick Series 40, Buick Series 46 Business Coupe File:Buick 4-Dorrars Sedan 1932.jpg, 1932 Buick Series 60, Buick Series 60 Model 67 sedan File:Buick 46C Convertible Coupe 1935.jpg, 1935 Buick Special#Series 40 (1930–1935), Buick Series 40 Model 46C convertible coupe File:1938 Buick Roadmaster 4d sdn - fvr.jpg, 1938 Buick Series 80 touring sedan File:1939 Buick 4d sdn - brown - 13.jpg, 1939 Buick Special#Series 40 (1930–1935), Buick Series 40 Model 41 touring sedan File:1941 Buick Limited (34646246692).jpg, 1941 Buick Limited, Buick Series 90 Touring Sedan Model 90

Buick engines

1904–1911. Two cylinders horizontally opposed at 180 degrees, OHV, 159 cu. in. 1907–1924. Four cylinders, in line, OHV, 165 to 392.6 cu. in. It was related to the Chevrolet Inline-4 engine 1914–1930. Buick Straight-6 engine, in line, OHV, 191 to 331 cu. in. 1931–1953. Buick Straight-8 engine, in line, OHV, 221 to 345 cu. in. 1953-1981 Buick V8 engine 1961-2008 Buick V6 engine

Post World War II years

File:Buick - Super 8 - 1947 - 40 hp - 8 cyl - Kolkata 2013-01-13 3361.JPG, 1947 Buick Super File:1948 Buick Roadmaster - blue - fvr.jpg, 1948 Buick Roadmaster Sedanet File:Buick Convertible 1949.jpg, 1949 Buick Roadmaster File:Buick Riviera 1950.jpg, 1950 Buick Super Buick Riviera#The Riviera name, Riviera File:1953 Buick Skylark - blue - fvl.jpg, 1953 Buick Skylark#1953–1954, Buick Roadmaster Skylark File:1953 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon - Green - fvr.jpg, 1953 Buick Roadmaster Buick Estate#Early history, Estate File:Buick Special sedan ca 1955.jpg, 1955 Buick Special File:1956 Buick Century fvl2.jpg, 1956 Buick Century Buick Riviera#The Riviera name, Riviera File:Buick Super 1957.jpg, 1957 Buick Super Buick Riviera#The Riviera name, Riviera File:Mint green Buick.JPG, 1958 Buick Special Buick Riviera#The Riviera name, Riviera File:1959 Buick Electra two-door hardtop.jpg, 1959 Buick Electra

1940s

1940 saw the first use of the "Buick Estate, Estate" designation for Buick on the Buick Super, Super station wagon. World War II stopped automobile production in 1942. Starting that year, Buick produced the M18 Hellcat tank destroyer and supplied radial engines for the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, B-24 Liberator, Douglas C-47 Skytrain, and Douglas C-54 Skymaster. By the fall of 1945, automobile production resumed. In 1948, the Dynaflow automatic transmission was first offered by Buick. 1949 saw the debut of Buick's Buick#VentiPorts, VentiPorts.

1950s

1953 marked Buick's 50th anniversary as well as the introductions of the Buick V8 engine and the Roadmaster Skylark. In 1955, Buick had its best model year sales to date with 738,814 vehicles sold; a record that would hold until 1977. In 1957, Buick's new 364 cu. in. engine block and ball joint front suspension debuted and Roadmasters now had aluminum finned brake drums. 1959 saw the introduction of three new models: Buick Electra, Electra, Buick Invicta, Invicta and Buick LeSabre, LeSabre as well as a new 401 cu. in. V8 engine in the Electra and Invicta. An Electra also paced the Indianapolis 500 race that year. File:1962 Buick Special DeLuxe.jpg, 1962 Buick Special DeLuxe File:1963 Buick Wildcat -- 06-18-2011 1.jpg, 1963 Buick Wildcat File:1963 Buick Riviera (12917772414).jpg, 1963 Buick Riviera File:1965 Buick LeSabre convertible in blue, front right.jpg, 1965 Buick LeSabre File:1966 Buick Riviera -Side View.jpg, 1966 Buick Riviera Buick Gran Sport#Riviera Gran Sport, GS File:1968 Buick Skylark black 2-door hardtop in NY, front.jpg, 1968 Buick Skylark File:1970 Buick GSX 455 Coupe (33285990451).jpg, alt=, 1970 Buick Gran Sport#GSX, Buick GSX File:1971 Buick Estate wagon front.jpg, 1971 Buick Estate File:1972 Buick Riviera in Finland.jpg, 1972 Buick Riviera File:1973BuickCenturyGSlarge.JPG, 1973 Buick Century Buick Gran Sport#Century Gran Sport, GS File:1975 Buick Skyhawk.jpg, 1975 Buick Skyhawk File:'77 Buick Electra Park Avenue.jpg, 1977 Buick Electra Park Avenue File:Buick regal Limited FJ-15-BY.JPG, 1979 Buick Regal

1960s

An Electra 225 paced the Daytona 500 race in both 1960 and 1963. In 1961, a new Fireball V6 engine was introduced and the Buick Skylark, Skylark nameplate returned as the top model of the new Buick Special, Special compact car line. The Buick Special was named Motor Trend Car of the Year in 1962. Also in 1962, Buick Wildcat, Wildcat was introduced as a trim level on Invicta and became its own model the following year. In 1963 the Buick Riviera, Riviera was introduced as its own model. In the mid-1960s Buick started officially selling German-built Opel cars through its North American dealerships. For 1967, radial tires became available as an option on all full-size Buicks.

1970s

The 1970s saw a number of new models added to the Buick lineup including the Estate Wagon as its own model in 1970, Buick Centurion, Centurion in 1971, Buick Apollo, Apollo in 1973, and Buick Skyhawk, Skyhawk in 1975. 1975 also saw the first appearance of the "Buick Park Avenue, Park Avenue" nameplate for Buick as a trim/option package on the Electra 225 Limited. A Buick Century paced the Indianapolis 500 race not once but twice in the mid-1970s. For 1976, Buick began selling rebadged Isuzu Geminis as Opels to replace the Opel Kadett models it had previously marketed. The following year, Electra 225 and LeSabre were redesigned and downsized and the Buick brand saw its best model year sales to date with 773,313 vehicles sold. 1978 marked Buick's 75th anniversary and welcomed a redesigned Century as well as a redesigned Regal coupe which was now available with a turbocharged Buick V6 engine, V6 engine. Buick model year sales broke another record in 1978 with 795,316 vehicles sold. For 1979, the Riviera was redesigned; Riviera S-Type was named Motor Trend Car of the Year. File:Buick Skylark (5011365230).jpg, 1980 Buick Skylark File:1982 Buick LeSabre Limited diesel sedan front.jpg, 1982 Buick LeSabre Limited File:1984 Riviera convertible.jpg, 1984 Buick Riviera File:Blue Buick Electra.jpg, 1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue File:Buick Somerset.jpg, 1986 Buick Somerset File:'87 Buick Regal Grand National (Auto classique St-Constant '13).JPG, 1987 Buick Regal#Grand National, Turbo-T and T-Type, Buick Regal Grand National File:1987 Buick SkyHawk Custom.jpg, 1987 Buick Skyhawk Custom File:1988 Buick Reatta, front left.jpg, 1988 Buick Reatta File:Buick Roadmaster -- 04-22-2010.jpg, 1992 Buick Roadmaster Limited File:94-96 Buick Century Wagon.jpg, 1994 Buick Century Estate File:1996-1998 Buick Skylark.jpg, 1996 Buick Skylark File:Buick Park Avenue -- 01-07-2012.jpg, 1997 Buick Park Avenue File:1999 Buick Riviera.jpg, 1999 Buick Riviera

1980s

In the 1980s, Buick's lineup saw several changes including the downsizing of various models. In 1980, Lloyd Reuss was appointed as general manager and further pushed Buick into turbocharging, racing, and performance production cars, building momentum which continued a number of years after his departure in 1984 as he headed toward a brief term as GM president. Also in 1980, the Oldsmobile Diesel engine, Diesel engine becomes available on select Buick models and Somerset is introduced as a trim/option package on the Regal Limited. In 1981, the T-Type performance trim is introduced on the Riviera. Regal was the official pace car of the Indianapolis 500 race in 1981. In 1982, the Buick Grand National, Grand National high-performance package is first offered on Regal. A soft-top Riviera helped lead the return of the convertible, which had disappeared from domestic lineups in 1976. The following year, a Riviera convertible with a twin-turbo V6 paced the Indy 500. Also in 1983, Buick had its best model year to date with 810,435 vehicles sold. In 1984, Buick was the official car of the 1984 Summer Olympics, XXIII Olympiad. A reorganization split manufacturing & engineering from sales and marketing. The first pilot Buick is produced at "Buick City", a state-of-the-art assembly center built inside the walls of Buick's home plant at Flint. Buick had its best model year sales to date with 906,626 vehicles sold plus Buick's worldwide sales topped one million for the first time. Lloyd Reuss ended his tenure as general manager of the Buick Motor Division in 1984. In 1985, the Buick Somerset, Somerset was introduced as its own model. Also, the Electra coupe and sedan were redesigned and converted to front-wheel drive and were initially powered by a carbureted 3.0 liter Buick V6 engine, a fuel-injected 3.8 liter Buick V6 engine, or a 4.3 liter Oldsmobile Diesel engine, Oldsmobile diesel V6 engine. Each was mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission with a 0.70:1 overdrive gear. The 3.0 liter V6 and 4.3-liter diesel V6 were no longer offered after 1985. During the 1985 to 1989 model years, the Electra name also continued to be used on the rear-wheel-drive B-body "Estate" station wagon. Buick-powered cars won pole and second position in qualifying for Indianapolis 500. Over the next few years, Buick engines would set a number of stock-block records and twice would power a third or more of the 33-car Indy 500 field (11 in 1990 and 12 in 1992). 1985 would be the final year for the rear-drive LeSabre before another downsizing and conversion to front-wheel-drive for 1986 (sedans and coupes only; the rear-drive LeSabre Estate Wagon would soldier on largely unchanged a few more years). The top-line LeSabre Limited became the LeSabre Limited Collectors Edition to mark the end of an era for the rear-wheel-drive coupe and sedan; engine offerings included the standard 231 V6 (sedans and coupes) or optional Olds 307 V8 or Oldsmobile 350 diesel V8. 1985 saw Buick's best model year sales to date with 915,336 vehicles sold. In 1986, the LeSabre was introduced on the new front wheel drive GM H platform, H platform, after departing from rear wheel drive on the GM B platform. Joining the LeSabre on the H-body included the Oldsmobile 88, Oldsmobile Delta 88. The new LeSabre's hood was hinged at the front of the car instead of near the cowl and windshield. The new styling and front-wheel drive also did not include Buick's long-standing Ventiports on the front fenders. In 1986, a LeSabre Grand National model was built to qualify the coupe body style for NASCAR competition. Less than 120 units were made, all finished in black with a gray interior. Also for 1986, the GM E platform, E-body Riviera was converted to Monocoque, unibody construction and further downsized to a wheelbase similar in length to that of the Buick Regal. The V6 was now the only engine, rated initially at SAE and of torque. It used the Turbo-Hydramatic 440-T4 Automatic transmission, automatic with a 2.84:1 final drive ratio. This generation was noted for advanced electronic instrumentation displayed on a dash-mounted CRT. The CRT controlled the vehicle's climate control system and stereo, and also supplied advanced instrumentation such as a trip computer and maintenance reminder feature. Four-wheel disc brakes were standard. With a choice of three suspension packages available, up to the performance-oriented FE3 setting, handling was notably improved. The Riviera placed fourth for ''Motor Trend''s 1986 Car of the Year contest. Fuel economy was notably improved for the 1986 Riviera, but the investment in the downsized, transverse engine front-wheel drive platform resulted in a substantial price increase to $19,831 for the base model to $21,577 for the new T-Type. Downsizing also resulted in a dimensional similarity to smaller, less expensive offerings from GM. The smaller dimensions, generic styling, and lack of a V8 led to Riviera sales plummeting to 22,138 for 1986. In 1987, the last of the turbo/intercooled Regal Grand Nationals, often called the quickest American cars, were offered as well as 547 even quicker special-edition '87 GNXs. It would also be the last year for the rear-wheel-drive Regal. General manager Ed Mertz promoted the new "Premium American Motorcars" theme which focused Buick marketing on the various qualities that made the marque famous. In 1988, Buick was the official car of the U.S. Olympic Team. The Buick Reatta, Reatta two-seater was introduced, to be followed two years later by a convertible. Also in 1988, Buick Regal, Regal was downsized and converted to front-wheel drive. Bobby Allison won the Daytona 500 in a Regal that year. 1988 also saw the debut of the slogan "The Great American Road Belongs to Buick". In 1989, a new Electra trim level was offered called the Park Avenue Ultra. The Ultra was an upgrade to the Electra Park Avenue and featured a standard leather-trimmed interior with dual 20-way power front seats (shared with Cadillac's restyled 1989 Cadillac Sixty Special, Fleetwood Sixty Special), lower-body accent exterior paint treatment, distinctive thick-padded vinyl top with limousine-style rear-window surround (available only on Ultra), simulated burled elm trim on the doors and instrument panel, unique aluminum wheels, anti-lock brakes, chromed B-pillar moldings, specific grille and tail lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel, electronic instrumentation, padded glove-compartment door, unique interior door panel trim, and a variety of otherwise minor changes. With its long list of standard equipment, the Park Avenue Ultra carried a higher base price than Cadillac's Cadillac de Ville series, Sedan de Ville. The Riviera was also restyled for 1989, adding 11 inches to its overall length. In the late 1980s, the Flint-built LeSabre ranked #1 in North America and #2 in the world in a major independent quality study which eventually led Buick to change its ad slogan from "The Great American Road Belongs to Buick" to "Buick: The New Symbol for Quality in America."

1990s

In 1990, the first Reatta convertible was produced. 1990 was also the last year for the Electra as Park Avenue, previously a trim level on the Electra, became its own model for the 1991 model year. In 1991, Buick led the industry in improvement in sales and market share. A new four-door Regal came to market for 1991, the first Regal sedan since 1984. Buick also introduced a supercharged 3.8-liter V6 in the Park Avenue Ultra. Supercharging became so popular at Buick that by the new millennium, Buick was the leading marketer and industry leader of supercharged cars. 1991 saw the return of the Buick Roadmaster, Roadmaster after a 33-year absence. The Roadmaster was first offered as a wagon only and then a sedan was added for 1992. For 1992, the popular LeSabre was redesigned along the same lines as the previous year's Buick Park Avenue, Park Avenue. 1992 also saw the introduction of a new, redesigned Skylark. In 1993, a special edition LeSabre was sold to commemorate Buick's 90th anniversary. In addition to Custom trim level standard equipment, included were "90th Anniversary" badging, cassette player, cruise control, rear-window defogger, power driver's seat, carpeted floor mats, exterior pinstripes, and choice of wire or aluminum wheel covers. In 1995, after a hiatus in 1994, the Riviera returned with radical styling that departed from the previous generations' more traditional image. A naturally aspirated 3800 V6 was standard, with a supercharger, supercharged version rated at and available as an option. Rivieras were now built in Lake Orion, Michigan, riding the same Cadillac-derived GM G platform (FWD), G platform as the 4-door Oldsmobile Aurora. In 1996, both the Roadmaster sedan and wagon were discontinued. In 1998, after 95 years in Flint, Buick headquarters was moved to Detroit. Bob Coletta, Buick general manager, saw the first Chinese Buick roll off line at Shanghai before he turned over the top Buick job to Roger Adams. Buick Gallery and Research Center opened at Flint's Sloan Museum. A reorganization of the division split sales from marketing. In 1999, the last of nearly 16 million Buicks was built in Flint's Buick City. The last car, a 1999 LeSabre, rolled off the assembly line on June 29 that year. In a major independent quality study, Buick ranked #2 (and top domestic) among 37 international brands and Buick City shared top world position among automotive assembly plants. With sales of all coupes declining in the North American market, GM decided to discontinue the Riviera. 1999 was the car's last model year with production ceasing on November 25, 1998. The final 200 cars had special silver paint and trim, and were denoted "Silver Arrow" models, a designation which hearkened back to several Silver Arrow show cars that had been built off Riviera bodies by Bill Mitchell (designer), Bill Mitchell. The eighth-generation Rivieras received the most powerful V6 Buick engine since the Buick Grand National, Grand Nationals of the 1980s. The supercharged Overhead valve, OHV V6 gave impressive torque and acceleration, pushing the car from 0 to in under 7 seconds, and turning the mile in 15.5 seconds and achieved MPG fuel efficiency ratings of 18 city/27 highway.

Recent years

File:00-05 Buick LeSabre.jpg, 2000 Buick LeSabre File:Buick Rendezvous.jpg, 2002 Buick Rendezvous File:04-07 Buick Rainier.jpg, 2004 Buick Rainier CXL File:Buick Terraza -- 09-26-2009.jpg, 2005 Buick Terraza File:Buick-Lucerne-CXL.jpg, 2006 Buick Lucerne CXL File:Buick Enclave CXL -- 03-05-2010.jpg, 2008 Buick Enclave CXL File:2009 Buick LaCrosse -- 09-07-2009.jpg, 2009 Buick LaCrosse Super File:2011 Buick Verano (5490346021).jpg, 2011 Buick Regal GS File:2012 Buick Verano -- 04-30-2012.JPG, 2012 Buick Verano File:Buick Encore P4250799.jpg, 2013 Buick Encore File:Buick Cascada (16282443827).jpg, 2016 Buick Cascada Premium File:Buick Envision P4250795.jpg, 2016 Buick Envision Premium File:Buick Velite 5 front.jpg, 2017 Buick Velite 5

2000s

In the 2000s, Buick's lineup was modified with the compact and performance segments being abandoned in favor of the crossover/SUV market which was growing in popularity. In 2000, Buick headed into the new millennium with a redesigned LeSabre (best-selling U.S. full-size car for eight straight years) and a more powerful Century. Since the first Detroit experimental car of 1899–1900 and the first Flint production car of 1904, more than 35 million Buicks had been built. The 2000 LeSabre was introduced in March 1999 and was now built on General Motors, GM's GM G platform (FWD), G platform; however GM chose to continue to refer to it as the H platform. The LeSabre was manufactured at GM's Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly factory in Hamtramck, Michigan and Lake Orion Assembly, in Lake Orion, Michigan. Some of the changes with the redesign included a new grille that did not open with the hood and slightly smaller exterior dimensions. Despite its somewhat smaller exterior size, it still offered similar interior room and more trunk space than the previous model. 2001 saw Buick's first entry into the crossover market with the introduction of the Buick Rendezvous, Rendezvous as a 2002 model. In 2003, the Buick Centieme crossover concept car commemorated Buick Motor Division's 100th anniversary. Some of the Centieme's exterior design and interior features would later appear on the 2008 Buick Enclave, Enclave crossover. In 2004, Buick added the Buick Rainier, Rainier mid-size SUV and the new Buick Terraza, Terraza minivan was added a year later. In the years following, Buick began consolidating its North American lineup and by 2008 had reduced it to just three models: the Buick LaCrosse, LaCrosse/Allure, the Buick Lucerne, Lucerne, and the new-for-2008 Enclave. The Super name had also returned after a 50-year absence as a new performance trim level on LaCrosse and Lucerne. The brand's total overall sales slipped in the United States, and, with a reputation for primarily appealing to older buyers, rumors circulated throughout this decade that the Buick marque would be discontinued. The profitability of the model lineup and popularity in China ensured Buick's future within General Motors, with the decision being made to discontinue the Pontiac (automobile), Pontiac brand instead. Since 2005, GM had gradually consolidated Buick with GMC (automobile manufacturer), GMC and former Pontiac (automobile), Pontiac dealerships to create the current Buick-GMC network. During General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization and emergence in 2009, the company designated Buick as a "core brand", citing the division's success in China. Behind the scenes, GM began to move products originally planned for other brands to Buick. The Opel Insignia was originally intended to become the second-generation Saturn Aura, but instead became the new Buick Regal. In the 2009 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study, Buick tied with Jaguar as the most dependable brand in the United States.

2010s

The 2010s saw the return of a classic Buick nameplate. The Buick Regal, as well as the addition of several new ones. The decade also saw the brand's first hatchback since 1987, its first factory convertible since 1991, and its first station wagon since 1996. Buick further expanded its presence in the popular crossover/SUV market in the 2010s as well. In January 2009, Buick unveiled the new 2010 LaCrosse sedan, an all-new styling direction that included traditional Buick cues. The market responded positively to the LaCrosse and reviews favorably compared it luxury models such as the Lexus ES. In 2010, Buick became the fastest-growing automotive brand in America and attracted a younger customer demographic. A GM company spokesman at the time said that Buick was positioned as a "premium" marque (entry-level luxury) to compete with various Acura, Infiniti, Lexus, and Volvo models, while Cadillac was aimed at the "luxury" performance segment which includes brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. An all-new Regal sedan, a smaller model based on the European Opel Insignia, was re-introduced for the 2011 model year after a seven-year absence. For 2012, the all-new Buick Verano, Verano, which was a compact sedan based on the Chevrolet Cruze, joined the lineup. Additionally, the performance-oriented Regal GS officially went on sale and became the first Buick in almost 20 years to be offered with a manual transmission and a turbocharger. Buick also entered the hybrid market with the introduction of eAssist technology on the 2012 LaCrosse and Regal which helped improve fuel economy ratings by as much as 38% over the regular gas-engine versions. Meanwhile, sales of the Enclave crossover remained strong. In January 2012, the all-new Buick Encore, Encore mini crossover was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Also in 2012, a turbocharged version of the Verano was introduced and the Enclave was redesigned for the 2013 model year. In 2013, GM confirmed plans of a "hybrid global brand" which includes Opel/Vauxhall and Buick using more synergies between the brands. LaCrosse and Regal were refreshed for the 2014 model year. In 2015, the all-new Opel Cascada, Cascada subcompact convertible debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The all-new 2017 LaCrosse was shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Buick also confirmed that the Buick Envision, Envision compact crossover would be sold in North America starting summer 2016. The Verano compact sedan was dropped from the Buick lineup in North America in 2017. With GM selling off the Opel/Vauxhall division to Group PSA in March 2017, Buick is expected to move away from sharing Opel model/designs upon the completion of the current generation vehicles. For 2018, Buick replaced the Regal sedan with an all-new model offering hatchback and station wagon body styles. This new Regal was the first hatchback from Buick for the North American market since the 1987 Skyhawk and the first station wagon since the 1996 Roadmaster. A sub-brand was also added in 2018 to accompany Buick, with the Avenir badge being applied to its top-of-the-line level trims, utilizing the same strategy as GMC's successful Denali sub-brand. 2019 would be the last year for the Cascada convertible globally and the LaCrosse sedan for the North American market.

2020s

New for 2020 was the Buick Encore GX, Encore GX crossover which slotted in between the existing Encore and Envision. The Regal hatchback and station wagon were discontinued for the North American market in 2020. In June, 2022, Buick Global Chief Duncan Aldred announced that Buick would transition its entire line-up to electric vehicles by 2030. As part of that plan, all Buick dealers would be given the opportunity to take a buyout rather than switch to all electric. Aldred explained the move saying that making the transition to electric would require a considerable investment in upgrading dealer facilities and not all dealers would be willing to make the financial commitment. Aldrerd also pointed out that most Buick dealers also sold other GM products, so accepting the buyout would not necessarily result in a dealership closing. Once Buick's top selling model in the North America, the Encore was discontinued in 2022 as more customers favored the larger Encore GX which was introduced for 2020 and became Buick's new top seller. Buick's North American lineup consists of the Encore GX compact crossover, the Envision compact crossover, and the Enclave mid-size crossover.

Production models

File:Buick Excelle II 001.jpg, Buick Excelle File:2018 Buick Excelle GT.jpg, Buick Excelle GT File:2018 Buick Excelle GX 1.3T front 8.14.18.jpg, Buick Excelle GX File:Buick Verano II sedan 3 China 2016-04-16.jpg, Buick Verano File:Buick Verano II hatch GS 01 China 2016-04-16.jpg, Buick Verano, Buick Verano GS File:2019 Buick Regal GS sedan front NYIAS 2019.jpg, Buick Regal File:2019 Buick LaCrosse Avenir AWD front NYIAS 2019.jpg, Buick LaCrosse File:2017 Buick Encore 'Preferred' 1.4L front 6.16.19.jpg, Buick Encore File:2020 Buick Encore GX 'Essence' ST AWD, front 7.11.20.jpg, Buick Encore GX File:2019 Buick Envision facelift front NYIAS 2019.jpg, Buick Envision File:Buick Envision S 001.jpg, Buick Envision S File:Buick Enlave Chinese version 003.jpg, Buick Enclave File:Buick GL6 2 China 2018-03-20.jpg, Buick GL6 File:Buick GL8 III ES 002 China 2017-03-30.jpg, Buick GL8 File:Buick Velite 6 004.jpg, Buick Velite 6 File:Buick Velite 7 001.jpg, Buick Velite 7

Current

China

* Buick Enclave#Chinese version, Enclave (2020–present) * Buick Encore, Encore (2013–present) * Buick Encore GX, Encore GX (2020–present) * Buick Envista, Envista (2022–present) * Buick Envision, Envision (2015–present) * Buick Envision S, Envision S (2020–present) * Buick Excelle, Excelle (2003–present)Official website of Buick China.
Retrieved October 2, 2017. * Buick Excelle GT, Excelle GT (2010–present) * Buick Excelle GX, Excelle GX (2018–present) * Buick GL6, GL6 (2018–present) * Buick GL8, GL8 (2000–present) * Buick LaCrosse, LaCrosse (2006–present) * Buick Regal, Regal (1999–present) * Buick Velite 6, Velite 6 (2019–present) * Buick Velite 7, Velite 7 (2020–present) * Buick Verano, Verano (2012–present)

North America

* Buick Enclave, Enclave (2008–present) * Buick Encore, Encore (2013–present) * Buick Encore GX, Encore GX (2020–present) * Buick Envision, Envision (2016–present)

Past

* Buick Model B, Model B (1904) * Model C (1905) * Model F & G (1906–1910) * Model 10 (1908–1910) * Model 14 & 14B (1910–1911) * Model 28, 29, 34, 36 & 43 (1912) * Model 24, 25, 30, 31 & 40 (1913) * Series B (1914) * Series C (1915) * Series D (1916–1917) * Series E (1918) * Series H (1919) * Series K (1920) * Series 21 (1921) * Series 22 (1922) * Series 23 (1923) * Series 24 (1924) * Buick Master Six, Master Series (1925–1928) * Buick Master Six, Standard Series (1925–1928) * Buick Master Six, Series 116, 121 & 129 (1929) * Buick Series 40, Series 40 (1930–1935) * Buick Series 50, Series 50 (1930–1935) * Buick Series 60, Series 60 (1930–1935) * Buick Special, Special (1936–1958, 1961–1969) * Buick Roadmaster, Roadmaster (1936–1958, 1991–1996) * Buick Century, Century (1936–1942, 1954–1958, 1973–2005) * Buick Super, Super (1939–1958) * Buick Skylark, Skylark (1953–1954, 1961–1972, 1975–1998) * Buick Invicta, Invicta (1959–1963) * Buick Electra, Electra (1959–1990) * Buick LeSabre, LeSabre (1959–2005) * Buick Wildcat, Wildcat (1963–1970) * Buick Riviera, Riviera (1963–1993, 1995–1999) * Buick Estate, Estate (1970–1979, 1990) * Buick Centurion, Centurion (1971–1973) * Buick Apollo, Apollo (1973–1975) * Buick Skyhawk, Skyhawk (1975–1980, 1982–1989) * Buick Opel, Opel (1976–1979) * Buick Somerset, Somerset (1985–1987) * Buick Reatta, Reatta (1988–1991) * Buick Park Avenue, Park Avenue (1991–2005, 2007–2012) * Buick Sail, Sail (2001–2004) * Buick Rendezvous, Rendezvous (2001–2007) * Buick Rainier, Rainier (2004–2007) * Buick Royaum, Royaum (2005–2006) * Buick Terraza, Terraza (2005–2007) * Buick Lucerne, Lucerne (2006–2011) * Buick Excelle XT, Excelle XT (2010–2015) * Opel Cascada, Cascada (2016–2019) * Buick Velite 5, Velite 5 (2017–2019)

Concept cars

File:Buick Y.jpg, 1938 Buick Y-Job concept File:XP_300_(6334945849).jpg, 1951 Buick XP-300 concept File:1954 Buick Wildcat I (6333008771).jpg, 1954 Buick Wildcat, Buick Wildcat II concept File:1956 Buick Centurion (6327011550).jpg, 1956 Buick Centurion concept File:Sloan_Museum at Courtland Center December 2018 06 (1963 Buick Silver Arrow).jpg, 1963 Buick Riviera#Debut as a personal luxury car, Buick Silver Arrow
concept File:1989 Buick Park Avenue Essence White_01.jpg, 1989 Buick Park Avenue Essence concept File:1995 Buick XP2000.jpg, 1995 Buick XP2000 concept File:NAIAS 304.JPG, 2007 Buick Riviera concept File:Buick Riviera Concept at Auto Shanghai 2013.JPG, 2013 Buick Riviera concept File:Buick Avenir Concept %2816468329835%29.jpg, 2015 Buick Avenir concept File:AVISTA.jpg, 2016 Buick Avista concept Buick has a long history of creating intriguing concept cars dating back to the Y-Job, the industry's first concept car, of 1938. Its most recent concepts, all electric vehicles, are the Buick Enspire concept unveiled in April 2018, the Buick Electra concept unveiled in September 2020, and the Buick Wildcat concept which was unveiled in June 2022.

Distinguishing features

Trishield

The Buick Trishield is rooted in the ancestral coat of arms of the automaker's founder, David Dunbar Buick. That crest was a red shield with a checkered silver and azure diagonal line from the upper left to lower right, a stag above, and a punctured cross below. The division adopted this on its radiator grilles in 1937. In 1960, the logo underwent a major overhaul. Its single shield was replaced by a trio in red, white, and blue—denoting the Buick Lesabre, LeSabre, Buick Invicta, Invicta, and Buick Electra, Electra then in the Buick lineup. It was supplanted by the Buick Hawk in the 1970s, but the trishield reemerged in the 1980s, simplified, but with its same patriotic colors. The Trishield with red, white, and blue features, was simplified in 2005, but the colors have returned, representing the current trio of vehicles in the Buick marque for sedans and crossovers.

VentiPorts

A traditional Buick styling cue dating to 1949 is a series of three or four 'vents' on the front fenders behind the front wheels. The source of this design feature was a custom car of Buick stylist Ned Nickles, which in addition had a flashing light within each hole, each synchronized with a specific spark plug to simulate the flames from the exhaust stack of a fighter airplane. Combined with the bombsight mascot (introduced in 1946), Nickle's custom Buick invoked an imaginary fighter airplane. The flashing light feature was not used by Buick in production. The 1949 Buick Sales brochure stated the following "...four chrome-ringed Venti-Ports on forward fenders (three on all Super models) striking a smart aviation note while serving to ventilate the engine compartment." Air entered from the grille into the engine bay, was pressurized by the radiator fan and exited (partially) through the VentiPorts. However, sometime during the 1949 model year this attribute was discontinued and the VentiPorts became non-functional. When introduced in 1949, there were only 2 model lines; the higher-priced Roadmaster had 4 ports per side, the lower series Super had 3. This was echoed over the next few years. By '54, Buick had added the Special and Century model lines, and although the Century and Super both used the same engine as the top-line Roadmaster, only the Roadmaster wore 4 VentiPorts. And the '53-54 Skylark had none. Buick was not entirely consistent with how they applied the styling feature, so theories that their count was tied to engine or body shell size is not factually consistent. It is more accurate that Buick tied the Ventiport count to the model line, and that was dependent on the year in question. For example, in '55 the Century and Super were both 'promoted' to 4 VentiPorts per side, despite the fact that the Century was sharing the smaller body shell with the '3-holer' Special. Buick temporarily dropped the VentiPorts for model years 1958 and 1959. 1958 is infamous for being relatively over-adorned; perhaps stylists decided there wasn't 'room' for Ventiports that year. But by model-year 1960, they were back. In 1961, Buick introduced the first V6 engine installed in an American passenger car, called the Buick V6 engine, Fireball V6 in the Buick Special#1961–1963, Buick Special, and three VentiPorts appeared on the side. This still was not tied to cylinder count, however, as the V8 LeSabres continued to carry 3 Ports per side. Also during this era, Buick used what the '67 Buick GS brochure called "vertical VentiPorts" to describe trim details seen on the lower half of front fenders on the Skylarks and Wildcat lines. The specialty Riviera model had neither, akin to the '53-54 Skylark. VentiPorts were used on most models over the next 2 decades. VentiPorts appeared on the limited production 1987 Buick GNX, and once again they were functional. Then the feature was dropped again, until 2003 when VentiPorts were re-introduced on the Buick Park Avenue Ultra. After the Park Avenue was discontinued, Buick incorporated VentiPorts on the new-for-2006 Buick Lucerne, Lucerne. For the first time, it seemed Buick was tying VentiPort count to the number of cylinders; the V6 engine, V6 Lucernes had three on each side, while V8 engine, V8s had four on each side. Modern and edgy compared to the oval ones that adorned Buicks for years, the new VentiPorts have become a Buick-wide talisman again. The newly designed VentiPorts appear on every Buick model from 2014 until around 2017. At one time, a letter from Buick surfaced that was a response to an inquiry regarding the name of the ports. The official name, according to the letter, was "Cruiserline VentiPorts".

Sweepspear

Another styling cue from the 1940s through the 1970s was the Sweepspear, a curved trim line running almost the length of the car. Introduced as an option on the 1949 Buick Roadmaster Buick Riviera, Riviera hardtop coupe, the original Sweepspear was a chrome-plated steel rub strip which began level over the front wheel, gently curved down across the front fender and door, dove nearly to the rocker panel just ahead of the rear wheel, then flared up and over the rear wheel before leveling off again into a straight run back to the tail light. In 1942 all GM vehicles had an appearance upgrade where the trailing edge of the front fender was extended across the front doors that was called "Airfoil" accented by parallel chrome strips on the front and rear fenders on Buick vehicles. In later years the character line of the "Airfoil" feature was accented with a stainless steel strip that evolved into the Buick "Sweepspear" for several decades. The "Riviera trim", as it was initially called, was made available on the Roadmaster convertible very late in the '49 model year. It proved so popular that by the 1951 model year it was made a standard feature on all Buicks. On 1950s models with two-tone paint, the Sweepspear separated the two colors. Originally stainless steel, the Sweepspear eventually became a vinyl rub strip or simple character line in the sheetmetal, as hinted in some versions of the Buick Riviera, distinct on the 1968-1969 Skylark, and appearing on the 2008 Buick Invicta, Invicta concept car. Often optional trim was available to reinforce a plain character line in the bodywork.

Delta fin

1959 Buick Electra 225 Riviera Sedan wings

The 1958 Buick was marketed beginning in September 1957, just as the space age began with the launching of Sputnik I on October 4 of that year. The "Sweepspear" evolved into the Car tailfin, "Delta Fin" reminiscent of a rocket ship, which appeared on the all-new appearance for 1959, and was trimmed down in 1960 and removed for 1961.

Taillight shapes

During the 1950s, the characteristic form of the Buick taillamps was a tier of small, circular bullet-shapes. In the early 1960s, most models began to evolve a wide, rectangular pattern, until the 1965 Buick Skylark, Skylark and Buick Electra, Electra models appeared with full-width rear lamps.

Classic grille styling

The Buick styling cue (dating from the 1942–1958 period) that has most often reappeared, though, is for the Grille (car), grille to be a horizontal oval with many, thin, vertical chrome plating, chromed ribs bulging forward. This has sometimes been called the Buick "dollar grin" particularly on the early 1950s models, which had thick, highly polished ribs that somewhat resembled teeth. The 1950 model took this tooth theme to its extreme as the teeth crossed over the bumper exposing the 1950 "grin", which was the result of extending the bumper guards over the front bumper, and was advertised as "Front and Center with Duty plus Beauty". The 1951 model reined in the theme, bringing the bumper guard "teeth" back behind the bumper (automobile), bumper. Current Buick Models have a new take on the classic styling with their Chromed "Waterfall Grilles".

Waterfall grille

In recent years, Buick has adopted a waterfall grille, as seen on the Buick Velite (concept car), Buick Velite concept car from 2004 and first used in production with the Buick Lucerne introduced for the 2006 model year. This waterfall grille bears some resemblance to grilles of Buicks from the 1980s, such as the Buick Grand National, Grand National.

Nailhead

The Buick V8 engine, nicknamed the Nailhead because of its relatively small intake and exhaust valves which resembled nails, became popular with hot-rodders in the 1950s and 1960s because the vertical attachment of the valve covers, in contrast to the angled attachment of other V8 engines, enabled the engine to fit into smaller spaces while maintaining easy access for maintenance.

Performance

In addition to premium and luxury vehicles, Buick has also been well known for its offerings of high-performance cars. Some of the better-known examples included the Buick Gran Sport, Gran Sport and Buick Skylark, Skylark GSX models of the 1960s and 1970s, and the Buick Grand National, Grand National and GNX models of the 1980s, with a performance package revival called T-Type.

World distribution

Asia

Buick is one of China's most popular, best selling automobiles. In 2016, General Motors sold over 1.1 million Buicks in China. Buicks have always been popular in China. In pre-World War II China, one in five cars was a Buick. Buicks were used by the last emperor Puyi, the first president Sun Yat-sen, and the first premier Zhou Enlai. Since 1999, a Buick Regal for China has been produced and sold by Shanghai GM and has proven to be popular among upscale, professional families, establishing Buick as one of the most popular vehicle brands in China. In addition, Buick of China sells a compact Buick Excelle, Excelle, similar to a five-door hatchback version called the Daewoo Lacetti, HRV, and a minivan named the Buick GL8, GL8. Many Buicks for the local market are equipped with smaller more fuel-efficient engines with double overhead camshafts, than those with overhead valves in the same nameplate for the American market. GM Taiwan was founded in August 1989. In the early 1990s, Buick, along with other GM brands, was very popular and frequently seen on Taiwanese streets. Buick Park Avenue, Park Avenue, 3rd and 4th generation Buick Regal, Regal, and 6th generation Buick Skylark, Skylark used to be sold in Taiwan. In December 2004, General Motors signed a memorandum of understanding with Yulon, a firm based in Taiwan, for the licensed manufacture of Buick vehicles there. In July 2005
Yulon GM Motor Co. Ltd. (Yulon GM)
a joint venture with 51 percent equity stake held by Yulon Motor and 49 percent by GM, was founded. In April 2010, Buick debuted a localised version of LaCrosse, named Buick LaCrosse#Alpheon, Alpheon, to the South Korean market.

Mexico

Buicks were sold in Mexico from 1921 to 1962, when a protectionist policy on behalf of the government restricted the percentage of imported parts that could be used in the manufacture of vehicles and the sale of imported cars. From then onwards, all GM products were sold by Chevrolet dealerships. In 1990, after a heavy modification to the protectionist policy of the sixties, GM started assembling the Buick Century in Mexico, at the plant in Ramos Arizpe, in the state of Coahuila, just south of Texas, and selling it through Mexican Chevrolet dealerships, so it was not uncommon for many people to call it "Chevrolet Century". In 1997, GM stopped selling Buicks in Mexico and the brand was not sold there until 2009. With the announcement in 2009 of the elimination of the Pontiac (automobile), Pontiac brand, it was speculated that Buicks would be sold once again in Mexico since there was a large network of Pontiac-GMC dealerships already in place. On July 24, 2009, Grace Lieblein, the new president of GM in Mexico, revealed that the Buick brand would be available in Mexico in late September of that year, after an absence of a dozen years, with the LaCrosse and the Enclave models. Buick shared the dealership floor with Pontiac and GMC until the Pontiac brand faded away in the summer of 2010. On March 26, 2019, Buick announced that the Mexican division will offer only crossovers (Encore, Envision, and Enclave). The La Crosse sedan, Regal hatchback and Regal TourX station wagon were dropped from the market as those brands are expected to go away due to Opel's future (under new owner PSA) regarding the Insignia that is tied to the North American-badged Regal and Buick's decision to make the La Crosse exclusive to China.

Middle East

In Israel, Buicks are imported by Universal Motors, Ltd. (UMI), which also imports other GM vehicles. For model years 2004 and 2005, the Buick LeSabre and Buick Rendezvous were sold. For model years 2006 and 2007, the Buick LaCrosse and Buick Lucerne were sold alongside the Rendezvous. For model year 2008, the Buick LaCrosse and Buick Lucerne were available. Buicks were sold throughout the Middle East until the second-generation Buick Roadmaster was discontinued, and continued to be available in the Gulf Cooperation Council markets until 1996.

New Zealand

Buicks were once sold in New Zealand. They were also built at the GMNZ plant in Petone, outside Wellington. The Buick name was revived helicopter for the New Zealand market.

Motorsport

For many years, Buick was a substitute for Chevrolet in automobile racing. No earlier than the 1960s, Buick was a competitor in the Indianapolis 500, and (like almost every other American manufacturer) also participated in the Sprint Cup Series, Grand National stock car racing series using its Buick Regal, Regal and later the Buick Gran Sport, Gran Sport. The golden age of Buick in motorsport, however, was the early to late 1980s. General Motors entered the Regal, particularly the Buick GNX, Grand National model, in the NASCAR Cup Series alongside the Oldsmobile Cutlass. Buick was also a major powerplant in the IndyCar Series and IMSA GT Series (particularly in the IMSA GTP class) for several years. The 1990s, however, proved to be the end of Buick's reign in motorsports, as GM replaced it for many years with Oldsmobile before phasing out that marque in 2004. Oldsmobile would be replaced by Pontiac (automobile), Pontiac until its demise in 2009, being replaced by Chevrolet. Buicks were also entered in the Trans Am Series in the 1980s and 1990s using aftermarket V8 engines.

Enthusiast organizations

The Buick Club of America, founded in 1966, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of automobiles built by the Buick Motor Division of General Motors Corporation.

File:Buick 1911-0121.jpg, A 1911 Buick Advertisement - Syracuse Post-Standard, January 21, 1911 File:Buick ad 1913.jpg, 1913 advertisement File:Buick ad 1920.jpg, ''The Saturday Evening Post'', November 1920 File:Buick 1913 logo.png, 1912 Buick logo File:Buick folder 1925.jpg, Cover of 1925 promotional folder from Swedish reseller File:Buick advertisement, 1916.jpg, alt=Advertisement for 1916 Buick by dealer Howard Automobile Co., San Francisco., Advertisement for 1916 Buick by dealer Howard Automobile Co., San Francisco

References

External links

* *
Business analysis of Buick's position in China and within GM in 2019
– video by CNBC
Old Buick images and historical data
{{Authority control Buick, 1903 establishments in Michigan American brands American companies established in 1903 Car brands Car manufacturers of the United States Flint, Michigan General Motors marques Luxury motor vehicle manufacturers Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Michigan Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1903