Ken Parkinson, Executive Director of Design talks 2014 Sierra

The Encore molds functionality into a smaller footprint, and wraps the nicely appointed package in contemporary, crossover styling.

Upscale, Downsized: 2013 Buick Encore

As even I might surmise from the name, the Leather trim level has leather trimmed seats, as do Premium models. Standard and Convenience feature cloth. Regardless of what they're wrapped in, the front seats have enough travel to suit the typical, NBA player (avg. height: 6'7"). I see those raised eyebrows. Skeptics, please note that my co-pilot at the Encore launch was 6'6", and he actually had to move the seat up slightly from its furthest rearward reaches to drive comfortably. With that much push-back, of course, there's nothing left for rear seat leg room. However, I'm 6'1", and I was able to find a seat position where I could be comfortable in front and would be in back if, uh, I was sitting behind myself.

Storage space measures 18.8 cubic feet in the cargo bay. Visualize that as six, big grocery bags. Extra space can be had by folding, either/both of the 60/40 split rear seat backs. This raises the stowage ante to 48.4 cu. ft. While the seatbacks fold to a fairly flat load floor, you'll first have to remove the rear head rests. The front passenger seat folds (mostly) flush as well, to accommodate really long items.

Front cabin storage spots are plentiful, if mainly small, and include trays in the center console, upper and lower glove boxes, door pockets, seatback pockets, eight beverage holders, and a hidden, phone-sized spot to the left of the steering wheel.

While most extras are bundled into trim packages, freestanding options can be added to any level. They include an upgraded sound system with GPS navigation, a 7-inch touch screen display and various audio inputs ($795), a power tilt/slide moon roof ($800), and chrome 18-inch rims ($995).

A compact, premium crossover like Encore is a logical choice to introduce new people to the Buick brand. How large this new market sector is remains to be seen. Buick believes that the target market is a bi-modal blend of young professionals and downsizing empty-nesters. What they'll find here they should like. Encore molds functionality into a smaller footprint, and wraps the nicely appointed package in contemporary, crossover styling.

(Courtesy of Times Union)

The 2014 GMC Sierra Truck Engine

Watch and find out why the engines in the new 2014 GMC Sierra Truck are our most highly engineered Sierra engines, ever.

ATS a Finalist for North American Car of the Year

The all-new Cadillac ATS luxury sport sedan is a finalist for 2013 North American Car of the Year. The winner, based on the votes of a panel of 49 journalists, will be announced on Jan. 14, 2013 during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

"The all-new ATS is the result of a comprehensive and focused mission to create a new sport sedan that challenges the world’s best,” said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing. "It’s rewarding to the entire team that created ATS to be recognized for its hard work by auto experts."

A compact sport sedan, smaller than Cadillac’s centerpiece CTS product line, the new ATS is the lightest car in its class with a unique architecture designed for nimble driving performance. The new ATS is offered in rear- and all-wheel drive versions, with a choice of powerful and efficient four- and six-cylinder engines.

(Courtesy of Cadillac News)

Energy Saving Driving and Car Maintenance Tips!

Driving Tips

• Idling gets you 0 miles per gallon. The best way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it. No more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days is needed. Anything more simply wastes fuel and increases emissions.

• Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking) wastes gas. It can lower your highway gas mileage 33% and city mileage 5%.

• Avoid high speeds. Above 60 mph, gas mileage drops rapidly.

• Clear out your car; extra weight decreases gas mileage by 1% to 2% for every 100 pounds.

• Reduce drag by placing items inside the car or trunk rather than on roof racks. A roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space and may allow you to buy a smaller car. However, a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5% or more.

• Check into telecommuting, carpooling and public transit to cut mileage and car maintenance costs.

Car Maintenance Tips

• Use the grade of motor oil recommended by your car's manufacturer. Using a different motor oil can lower your gasoline mileage by 1% to 2%.

• Keep tires properly inflated and aligned to improve your gasoline mileage by around 3.3%.

• Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks to avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, or transmission problems.

• Replace clogged air filters to improve gas mileage by as much as 10% and protect your engine.

• Combine errands into one trip. Several short trips, each one taken from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.

(Courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy)

Make sure to take advantage of the Buick LaCrosse Holiday Event

Make sure you stop in to get one before they're gone!

Our service specials will help you save this season!

Don't let winter get the best of you! Make sure to take advantage of our December coupons and have your cooling system inspected!

Follow the link to see this and other service specials! http://bit.ly/VB6f8c

XTS and ATS Drive Cadillac Momentum

Cadillac’s new ATS sport sedan and XTS luxury sedan drove a 30 percent increase in total November sales with strong performances on both U.S. coasts. Retail sales were up 23 percent in California and 37 percent in the Northeast.

Retail sales of the all-new compact ATS increased 87 percent in November compared to October, and half of its buyers came from competing brands.

In November, ATS was named Vehicle of the Year Award by the Motor Press Guild, the largest association of automotive journalists, following accolades from Popular Mechanics and Esquire.

The XTS is a new formula for large luxury, with 96 percent of its sales coming from retail buyers. It is the first car to feature CUE, Cadillac’s new system for connectivity and control that is a finalist for AOL Autos’ Technology of the Year Award.

“The new ATS and XTS elevate and expand our portfolio,” said Chase Hawkins, vice president of Cadillac U.S. sales. “This is driving new buyers to our showrooms, which also benefits existing models like the SRX crossover.”

The SRX had its best November sales month ever, up 13 percent over the previous year.

November marked the sixth consecutive month of sales growth for Cadillac, and was the best November since 2007.

(Courtesy of Cadillac Media)

Canadian Cadillac Driver Academy

The 3rd installment of the Cadillac Driver Academy took place at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario. This program provides a unique opportunity for Cadillac owners to take on a world-class race track.

We've got 2 for 1 oil changes!

Just head over to our Facebook page and click the "Offers" tab to print out the coupon! We'll see you soon! http://on.fb.me/VFVZ4g

Katie Rodgers: Pinboard To Dashboard presented by the Buick Encore

Ten of the top design, fashion, food and lifestyle bloggers developed Pinterest boards showcasing how the Buick Encore speaks to their personal style and life passions.

Winter Maintenance Tip: Check your tire pressure

Here are two good reasons to get down there with the gauge and unscrew the valve caps as the weather cools:

1) Tires lose a pound of pressure for every drop of 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

2) An underinflated tire won't "bite" through snow down to the pavement as well as one at pressure. It's similar to hydroplaning on water -- and just as dangerous. You may have heard the guidance to let air out of your tires for sand or snow to get more contact surface area. That only applies only if the surface is bottomlessly soft, like a beach or foot-deep, unplowed snow -- not the mix of cleared road, ice and packed snow most of us encounter in daily driving.

Don't forget to put the valve caps back on (or, buy new ones) when you're done. Letting in moisture, which then freezes, could let the valve core leak out air.

(Courtesy of kiplinger.com)