Buick Sales Surge 15% to Record 1.03 Million Worldwide

General Motors Co. says global demand for its Buick brand vehicles climbed to 1.03 million vehicles last year from 894,600 in 2012.

Sales rose 16% to 809,900 units in China and 14% to 205,500 units in the U.S. Buick's previous record was 1 million vehicles in 1984, when virtually all units were sold in North America.

GM says 42% of Buick buyers in the U.S. last year were new to the brand.