By Don Hammonds
Undeniably, the 2012 North American International Auto Show will go down as one of the most significant shows in years, with important introductions of family sedans and compact cars, more economical hybrids and other alternative vehicles, and a healthy smattering of mouth-watering sports cars and concepts for added spice.
       All of this is occuring against a backdrop of strong sales increases for most brands and a resurgent domestic auto industry, lower interest rates, many more interesting, better-built …

 
By Don Hammonds, executive editor
This model year promises to be a blockbuster one, with so many new models coming out that you’ll need a scorecard to keep up with it all.
Yet, amid the dozens of new models, and hundreds of continuing ones, there are still some diamonds that we believe will shine far above the others before the model year’s out. 
We selected our picks based on their impact on the automotive market, their uniqueness, in some cases, their transformations from …

By Don Hammonds
So where on earth do you even begin with Buick these days?
Buick is on fire with strong sales, growing word of mouth, and looks and performance to back up the buzz.  It should thus come as no surprise that Buick is knocking off competitors right and left, and with new models and excitement this year, Buick’s got those competitors squarely in its gunsight.
The biggest news, particularly in light of all the rises in gasoline prices, is the compact luxury …

By John Heilig
  SPECIFICATIONS
  Model: 2011 Buick Enclave CXL-AWD
 Engine: 3.6-liter V6 Horsepower/Torque: 288 hp @ 6,300 rpm/270 lb.-ft. @ 3,400 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
 Wheelbase: 119.0 in.
 Length/Width/Height: 201.5 x 79.0 x 72.5 in.
Tires: P255/55R20
Cargo volume: 23.2/67.5/115.3 cu. ft. (behind 3rd row/2nd row/1st row)
 Fuel economy: 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway/17.0 mpg test
 Fuel capacity: 22.0 gal.
 Curb weight: 4,985 lbs.
 Sticker: $49,755 (includes $775 destination charge, $4,885 in options ($3,185 for audio with DVD; $1,400 for power sunroof; $300 for 20-inch chrome wheels)  
 Five reasons to …

By Don Hammonds
We have a question for you. And we are betting you’ll get the answer wrong.
Which brand is the fastest growing in the U.S.?
What do you think?  Hyundai? Kia?  Ford?
Time’s up.
The answer is Buick.
That’s right. Buick. And none of the brand’s competitors are laughing about it.

Consider. The latest sales figure show that Buick is one of the top four luxury brands in the country in terms of sales, beating brands like Audi and Acura. And there have been a …

By Don Hammonds
‘A few years ago, Automobile Journal caught up with General Motors styling chief Ed Welburn, and had a talk with him about Buick design.
At the time, Buick had introduced a fabulous convertible concept called the Velite, and just about everybody had begged Mr. Welburn to make sure this one saw the light of day. Alas, it didn’t–or at least it hasn’t so far–but  Mr. Welburn did speak almost poetically about what he called the “romance” of Buick design.
.More …

By Don Hammonds
Quick is good. And quicker is even better.
If you question that, Automobile Journal refers you to Buick’s 2011 Regal CXL turbo sedan.

We should hasten to add, right off the bat, that we don’t mean the much anticipated upcoming
Buick Regal GS, equipped with a turbocharged engine that’s even faster, and likely to provide goosebumps and itchy right feet for America. That’s coming later–and yes, when we get one, we’ll fill you in on all the details.
Our model was the …

Pittsburgh 2010 Top Car Dealerships as Rated by Women
Dealerships are Rewarded for Earning the Trust of and for Being Customer Service-friendly to Women 
 
PITTSBURGH- Who made the cut for the top car dealerships in Western Pennsylvania? The female consumer has spoken.
While Women-Drivers.com has been successfully connecting women and families with Certified Women-Drivers Friendly™ Dealers, shoppers have been steadily rating their Browsing, Purchasing and Service experiences at various regional dealerships; and the results from the year 2010 are in.

Shadyside Honda was ranked …

There’s big news for college-bound students from college-bound students from Buick and General Motors.
Buick and the General Motors Foundation today announced the $4.5 million-a-year Buick Achievers Scholarship Program to recognize and reward 1,100 college-bound students nationwide who excel both in the classroom and in the community.  
What distinguishes the Buick Achievers scholarships is that they are renewable for four years, which could bring the total individual scholarship to as much as $100,000. The GM Foundation plans to start a new …

This year’s North American International Auto Show will be remembered as the year when small cars ruled.
Just about everybody had one new one–or more– to show, and pick up trucks and big cars were, well—–so yesterday. 
The good thing is that with few exceptions, just about everyone had something new and fresh to show–there wasn’t much duplication of efforts or look-alikes, for once, and we can all only hope that auto designers continue to keep their voices original and ground breaking …