The LeSabre name was first used in 1951 on a futuristic concept car that featured cast magnesium and aluminum body panels as well as a supercharged V8 engine. In 1959, the LeSabre nameplate was put on a production model, and 165,577 were sold. Since its introduction, more than six million LeSabres have been sold. When LeSabre was redesigned for 2000, Buick made only subtle styling changes to its bestseller, but was able to increase interior dimensions while reducing the exterior dimensions. The 2000 LeSabre received a 5 star rating for both driver and passenger safety in frontal impact crash testing and side impact airbags were made standard.