J.D. Power Award: Top Scores for Opel Flagship Insignia

• Customer satisfaction: Opel Insignia leads in J.D. Power Award
• Additional prize: Opel Insignia Grand Sport is “Auto Test Winner 2019”

Opel Insignia is the winner in the midsize segment of this year’s J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. J.D. Power surveys customers’ satisfaction with their cars every year. Market research firm asks the owners about the quality and durability of their one to three-year-old cars.

Opel Insignia Grand Sport

In addition to customers, Opel flagship is also highly rated by experts. German specialist magazine, Auto Test named the Insignia Grand Sport as “Auto Test Winner 2019” with the best price-performance ratio in its market segment. Opel Insignia Grand Sport already won last year in the same category. Excellent result was completed by the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer, which took a strong second position in its class.

Opel Insignia Sports Tourer

At the joint prize giving in Frankfurt/Germany, Opel’s Director Quality, Arnold Paluch received the trophies for the winning car. “Auto Test Winners” are announced together with the results of the J.D. Power customer satisfaction study since 2008.

“Quality and durability are the key criteria of our cars”, said Arnold Paluch. “We set high standards here and we are pleased that this is recognised by the customers. We also make innovative technology accessible to a wide range of buyers. We are pleased to see how Opel Insignia Grand Sport won the price-performance award in the hard-fought midsize category.”

This year’s J.D. Power survey is based on 12,854 answers received online between November 2018 and January 2019. Questions in the survey are about quality/durability, appeal and running costs. All the ratings result in a ranking which is won by the brand or model with the lowest amount of errors.

J.D. Power: Opel ADAM and Opel Insignia most dependable cars in class

• Study on vehicle dependability: Opel top in city cars and mid-size segment
• Auto Test Winner 2017: Opel Ampera-e biggest “Technical Innovation”

Joint awards ceremony: Auto Test winners and the results of the J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey have been announced jointly since 2008.

Champion of personalization and dependability: Opel ADAM tops its class in the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study.

The J.D. Power market researchers are an institution when it comes to quality and customer satisfaction. In the biggest automobile customer satisfaction survey in Germany, the VDS (Vehicle Dependability Study), car owners were asked about the quality and reliability of their one to three-year-old vehicles. Drivers of the Opel ADAM and Opel Insignia gave their cars excellent ratings – the best in their segments. At the joint awards ceremony with the trade magazine Auto Test yesterday evening in Cologne, Opel Vice President Quality Elvira Tölkes accepted the trophies for the victorious duo. 

Best in class: In the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study owners gave the Opel Insignia the highest marks for cars in the midsize segment.

In addition, Jürgen Keller, Opel Executive Director Sales, Marketing and Aftersales Germany also collected another prize: the Opel Ampera-e, with its electric range of 520 kilometers (according to the New European Driving Cycle) is Auto Test Winner 2017. The electric car received the award for best “Technical Innovation” of the year.

At the awards ceremony in Cologne, Elvira Tölkes said, “We place very high value on the quality of our cars delivered to our customers. In addition, the J.D. Power study shows that Opel also sets high standards in terms of reliability and durability across the entire portfolio from the chic urban car Opel ADAM to the Opel Insignia. So we are delighted to have received both of these awards.”

“Beyond high quality, what also distinguishes Opel is that we make future technologies accessible to so many people. Good examples of this are the personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar as well as the current market launch of the revolutionary electric vehicle Opel Ampera-e. Our electric car is a true range champion, without a doubt a major innovation and thus a worthy Auto Test winner 2017,” added Jürgen Keller.

This year J.D. Power surveyed 14,000 people about their experiences with their car in online interviews. The study’s questions are grouped into the categories quality/dependability, appearance and running costs. All responses result in a ranking in which the brand or model with the lowest number of faults emerges as the winner. J.D. Power analyzed a total of 71 car models.

Auto Test winners and the results of the J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey have been announced jointly since 2008.

!NEW! Customers Rank Buick Highest Among Mass Market Brands for Sales Satisfaction

J.D. Power study notes new owner education key to higher satisfaction

As Buick continues to delight customers with its beautiful, whisper-quiet and quality-driven cars and SUVs, it is also ensuring they have the greatest possible experience learning about their vehicles. J.D. Power’s 2016 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study ranks Buick the highest among mass market brands.

A brand’s ability to help new-vehicle owners understand technology and enhance the overall ownership experience are key to high SSI rankings. In brand sales satisfaction rankings, Buick earned the highest marks with a score of 809 (based on a 1,000-point scale).

“We know a positive customer experience goes well beyond great product,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick Sales, Service and Marketing. “Our sales satisfaction ranking shows that our ability to deliver a meaningful purchase-to-ownership process is paying off for our customers well beyond when they leave our stores.”

The SSI Study is a comprehensive analysis of the new-vehicle purchase experience that measures customer satisfaction with their dealer. It is based on responses from nearly 29,000 buyers who purchased or leased their new vehicle in April or May of 2016.

For more about the 2016 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study, visit http://www.jdpower.com/resource/us-sales-satisfaction-index-ssi-study and http://www.jdpower.com/pr-id/2016224

!NEW! Buick’s U.S. Crossover Sales Rise 22 Percent in May

Encore small SUV has best May ever; brand sales post best May since 2005

Buick Encore retail and total sales rose 22.1 percent and 20.7 percent, respectively, in May as demand for the brand’s small luxury SUV shows no signs of letting up. It made up 30 percent of the brand’s sales.

Buick U.S. sales increased in May compared to a year ago on the strength of the brand’s crossover models. Buick Enclave deliveries were up 23 percent and the Encore was up 21 percent, for its 17th consecutive year-over-year sales increase.

Buick has sold more Encores this year than any other model, accounting for 30 percent of the brand’s retail sales.  

2015 Buick Encore small SUV

“Buick was among the first to capitalize on the rapidly growing small SUV segment with the Encore, which appeals to buyers seeking luxurious features in a smaller and more efficient package,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president, Buick. “The Encore has performed extremely well in its segment and we expect it will continue to do so.”

In its debut year, Encore scored at the top of its segment in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study – practically unheard of for a new model. In a recent owner survey, 96 percent said they were either satisfied or completely satisfied with their vehicle and 95 percent said they would recommend a Buick based on their experience with the Encore.

Autotrader.com recently named Encore one of its 10 Best Cars for Recent College Grads, citing its sleek exterior styling, premium interior, maneuverability, quality and fuel efficiency.

Earlier this year, Buick was the first U.S. automaker in the Top 10 in a popular consumer magazine’s annual ranking of automotive brands. At No. 7, Buick moved ahead of traditionally high-rated automakers such as Honda and BMW. Eighty-three percent of Buick models made it onto the magazine’s recommended list – the most for any brand.

!NEW! GM Expects Improved Profitability in 2015

• Expects higher EBIT-adjusted and EBIT-adjusted margins in 2015
• Reaffirms previously announced 2016 targets and plan to achieve 9- to 10-percent margin by early next decade

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) expects its total earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) adjusted and EBIT-adjusted margin to increase in 2015, compared to 2014, after adjusting 2014 for the impact of recall costs. The company also anticipates improved automotive results in all regions.

This outlook is based on modest global industry growth expected in 2015, which will result primarily from continued growth in China, Europe and the United States, and ongoing launches of key vehicles.

CEO Mary Barra, President Dan Ammann, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Chuck Stevens shared this outlook with investor analysts attending the Deutsche Bank 2015 Global Auto Industry Conference in Detroit. 

GM reiterated it is on track to meet its previously announced 2016 financial targets to achieve EBIT-adjusted margins in North America of 10 percent; to return to profitability in Europe, and to maintain strong margins in China.

The company also said its plan puts it on the path to achieve 9- to 10-percent margins by early next decade. The strategic plan, shared during the Global Business Conference in October 2014, includes several major initiatives: lead in product and technology; grow the Chevrolet and Cadillac brands globally; continue growing in China; continue growing GM Financial, and deliver core operating efficiencies.

“We had a pivotal year in 2014, outlining a customer-focused strategic plan for the company and delivering on our commitments by achieving strong core operating performance,” Barra said. “We’ll build on this momentum in 2015 and continue executing our plan to become the most-valued automotive company.”

Among key accomplishments for 2014, Barra noted the following:

• Earned the most J.D. Power Initial Quality Study awards for second consecutive year in the United States.
• Launched more models in North America with 4G LTE mobile broadband than all other automakers combined.
• GM and its joint ventures sold a record 3.5 million vehicles in China, up 12.0 percent from 2013.
• Opel/Vauxhall market share in Europe grew for the second year in a row, including increases in 12 European markets.
• Achieved five straight quarters of EBIT-adjusted margin growth in North America through the third quarter of 2014 (excluding recalls).
• Standard & Poor’s upgraded GM and GM Financial to investment grade.
• Returned $2.0 billion to common stock shareholders through dividends.

To support its future growth, GM plans to increase capital expenditures to approximately $9 billion in 2015, reflecting increased investments in products and technologies.

“Overall, 2014 was a very solid year in which we met expectations on core operating performance, despite a number of significant headwinds,” Stevens said.

“Importantly, improvements in 2015 will keep us firmly on track to meet our near-term objectives and demonstrate solid progress toward our targeted margins of 9 to 10 percent by early next decade.”

!NEW! GM’s Retail Sales up 7 percent, Outpacing Industry

Average transaction prices hit record $34,000; incentives down during month

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) dealers delivered 256,047 vehicles in the United States in March 2014. Total sales were up 4 percent compared with a year ago. Retail sales were up 7 percent and GM gained retail market share.

Fleet sales were down 5 percent due to a planned reduction in rental deliveries. However, commercial fleet sales were up 5 percent for the fifth consecutive monthly increase.

“GM’s retail sales, like the weather and the economy as a whole, have been on an improving trend since early February,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. “We expect to see solid economic growth in the months ahead, with the job market, household income and consumer spending all showing positive signs. It is a strong backdrop for the launch of our all-new heavy-duty pickups, large SUVs and other new products, like the Cadillac ATS coupe coming this summer. 

“Our dealers continue to work hard to exceed people’s expectations for customer care, whether they are shopping for one of our award-winning new products or coming in to have their vehicle serviced,” he said

March Retail Sales Highlights (vs. 2013)

• Deliveries of the Chevrolet Silverado, the 2014 North American Truck of the Year, were up 14 percent and the GMC Sierra was up 23 percent. 
• During the month, Vincentric, which uses a proprietary model to measure cost of ownership attributes including depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance and repair costs, said the Chevrolet Silverado family has the lowest cost among full-size pickups.
• Deliveries of Chevrolet passenger cars were up 10 percent. The Spark was up 17 percent; Sonic was up 20 percent; the Volt was up 7 percent; the Impala was up 103 percent; and the Corvette, the 2014 North American Car of the Year, was up 221 percent.
• Deliveries of the Cadillac SRX were up 37 percent. In addition, the CTS family was up 11 percent on the strength of the new 2014 CTS sedan, which is the 2014 Motor Trend Car of the Year.
• Sales of the Buick Regal were up 52 percent and the Encore was up 71 percent.
• Sales of large SUVs were up 62 percent, with availability of the all-new 2015 models building, per plan.
• GM’s incentives as a percentage of average transaction prices, or ATPs, were 10 percent compared with 10.3 percent for the industry, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates through March 23. That is down from February and year over year.
• GM’s ATPs set a new record of about $34,000, up about $2,000 per unit from February and more than $3,800 from a year ago, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates.                                                               

GM delayed this release for several hours due to a computer systems issue that impacted dealer sales reporting. These results reflect sales reported through GM’s primary and backup dealer systems and we believe they accurately reflect March sales, although it is possible that a few hundred March deliveries may be reported in April.