The FINANCIAL -- Buick and GMC customers nationwide are discovering how a more welcoming dealership atmosphere enhances the experience of buying a new car or servicing a vehicle, according to General Motores. More than 1,900 dealers, many in major markets, are showing the way.

The ongoing dealership image enhancement program includes a new exterior façade with updated signage, a bright and airy showroom featuring a customer greeting station, and a customer lounge with free Wi-Fi. In some cases, a café or salon is part of the experience.

The changes are important because both Buick and GMC currently attract more than 40 percent of their buyers from brands outside General Motors.

Gensler, a leading global architecture firm, is helping Buick and GMC marry the new design details with each dealership’s existing building.

Paul Masse, owner of two Buick-GMC stores in New England, has completed one dealership update in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, and is in the process of revitalizing another store in Woonsocket.

And Masse’s customers are noticing the differences.

To date, more than 170 dealers have completed the image enhancement program. Combined with the number of stores at various points in the process, 1,900 Buick and GMC dealers are involved. By the end of 2013, more than 2,000 buildings across the United States will be fully revitalized.

Buick and GMC shoppers will also find, in addition to a fresh look and a hot cup of coffee,  the strongest product line in each brand’s history. Both the GMC Acadia crossover vehicle and Buick Enclave luxury crossover had their best sales year ever in 2011, and both brands have excellent fuel economy stories to tell with Buick’s Regal sport sedan and LaCrosse  with eAssist luxury sedan models topping 36 mpg on the highway and the segment-leading Terrain smaller SUV delivering 32 highway mpg.

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