Buick has been on a serious roll as of late. At a pre-NYIAS media lunch today, Tony DiSelle, Buick's VP of Marketing rattled off several impressive statistics, including the fact that Buick was the fastest growing brand in 2010, outselling Acura, Audi, Infiniti, and Lincoln. According to DiSelle, Buick has also seen a 49% increase in sales, and an impressive 18 consecutive months of sales increases.
To keep the momentum going, Buick announced a new high tech infotainment system that it will roll out in 2012 with the Buick Verano.
It is called IntelliLink and is a new in-car infotainment system that incorporates smartphone technology and the features of a number of tech-savvy partners including Pandora Internet radio, Stitcher SmartRadio, Gracenote (for music information), and Nuance voice recognition software.
By 2013, all Buick drivers will be able to tether their smartphones wirelessly via Bluetooth or through a USB cable and access content via new 7- or 8-inch high resolution color touchscreens.
Along with making phone calls, drivers can listen to Pandora internet radio, browse a customized list of stations on Stitcher SmartRadio, as well as access more traditional AM/FM/XM and CD/MP3 content through dedicated steering wheel controls, voice commands, or touch screen.
In addition, IntelliLink is fully integrated with GM's OnStar system for the service's automatic crash response, roadside assistance, vehicle diagnostics information, live advisors, and turn-by-turn navigation.
If this sounds a bit familiar it's because Buick is only the latest brand to incorporate a smartphone-integrated infotainment systems like the groundbreaking Sync technology pioneered by Ford and Microsoft.
In fact, DiSelle admitted that IntelliLink system is essentially Chevrolet's MyLink system with different interface graphics. In a similar cost saving move, GMC will adopt the IntelliLink name and system for its vehicles.
Buick's IntelliLink is set to debut as standard equipment on the 2012 Verano, before spreading to the rest of 2012 sedan line up. Enclave receives IntelliLink in 2013.