Buick History
DeVoe Buick GMC is proud to bear the Buick nameplate!
As one of the oldest active automakers in the world, Buick has delivered innovative, safe and comfortable vehicles for over 100 years. Read on for some great history and info about the Buick brand!
Originally founded as the Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company, Buick was officially incorporated as the Buick Motor Company in 1903. The first Buick car, the Model B, was introduced the following year, and Buick quickly became the biggest automaker in America. William Durant, manager of the company, used Buick to form automobile conglomerate General Motors in 1908. Buick became a luxury brand within GM; the brand was second in terms of class and comfort and topped other brands like Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Oakland.
Buick continued to make strides in the 20th century, both within the luxury vehicle segment and the auto industry as a whole. The Century came in the early 1920s, and led to two decades of large, powerful Buicks that included the popular Roadmaster and the Special. During the 1940s, Buick supported United States wartime efforts by building over 2,500 M18 Hellcat tanks for the military.
Buick celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1953 by releasing the Roadmaster Skylark Convertible, and the Buick V8 engine was introduced the same year. The following two decades saw Buick shift to a more performance car format, which included plenty of hot rods and convertibles with sharp, sleek design cues. Examples include the Wildcat, the Invicta, the Riviera and the Skylark.
Since that time, Buick has devoted its time to developing roomy, comfortable and luxurious sedans and SUVs. Over the past three decades, cars like the Park Avenue and the Roadmaster defined the large luxury sedan market, while the Rainer and the Terraza SUVs brought power and space. Today, Buick's five-vehicle line – the Regal, LaCrosse and Verano sedans and the Encore and Enclave SUVs – offer a wide range of luxury options, each providing its own unique specs and interior features.
Over the years, Buick has become known for many defining style characteristics and innovations. Some of these include:
The Buick Trishield – Buick's logo was first created to reflect Buick founder David Dunbar Buick's familial coat of arms.
VentiPorts – Holes or vents began to show up on the front left and right sides of Buick cars in the 40s and 50s that were meant to resemble airplane features. The VentiPorts are still a feature of Buicks today, including the Enclave, LaCrosse and Regal.
Waterfall Grille – One of the most recognizable design feature for Buicks today is the Waterfall grille consisting of many small vertical chrome bars.
Visit DeVoe Buick GMC in Naples, FL to experience the current Buick vehicle line for yourself! Our friendly and helpful sales staff is happy to help you find exactly what you're looking for. We also maintain a great Service Department that can help you keep your car running smoothly and efficiently, or assist you with more detailed repairs. Browse our website for more information on Buick and its great vehicles!