Slowly but surely, General Motors has been revamping Buick’s product portfolio. In the last three years alone, the brand’s lineup was entirely overhauled, with aging vehicles being replaced with all-new models that enable the brand to reach a broader market while growing sales volume. But the Tri-Shield brand isn’t done just yet.
According to sources familiar with GM’s product plans, Buick will soon receive a two-door compact convertible. Although sources didn’t specify, it’s very likely that the model in question will be a Buick-ified Opel Cascada, much like the Buick Verano is a Buick-afied Opel Astra. Coincidentally, all three of the models in question, including Cascada, Verano, and Astra, share GM’s compact Delta II vehicle architecture. Notably, an Opel Cascada was recently seen undergoing testing in the Colorado mountains — lending credence to our sources’ intel that it is being adapted for Buick duty.
The reasoning behind our belief that the convertible in question will indeed by the Cascada is quite simple: it’s highly unlikely that The General would develop an entirely new convertible solely for Buick given the segment’s extremely low sales volume; couple that with the global alignment of the Opel-Vauxhall and Buick brands, and the existence of Opel’s Cascada, and the writing seems to be on the wall for the Cascada to wear Buick’s Tri-Shield in the markets where Buick is marketed (North America and China).
It’s worth mentioning, though, that Buick will most likely receive a convertible model before Cadillac — GM’s other luxury brand. And though an ATS Convertible (along with an ATS Wagon) are still possible, it’s highly unlikely that they will be introduced before the Cascada is adapted for North American markets as a Buick.
Expect the drop-top Buick to land by the summer of 2015, possibly wearing the Riviera nameplate.
The GM Authority Take
No matter how you look at it, this is pretty much a no-brainer. We expect the new Buick vert to be moderately popular in the U.S. while enjoying high sales volumes in China, where Buick is one of the strongest automotive brands.
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Comments
This is encouraging and very good news 🙂
I’m very excited!! I hope they call it a Riviera or Skylark, or some other historic Buick name, rather than coming up with a new random name with no significance *cough cough* verano * cough cough*
“verano” means “summer” in North America’s second language.
Riviera and Skylark have no significance to people under 35, especially when they are associated with substandard products from the 70 through to the 90’s.
The only people who would want to be reminded of those dead nameplates in 2014 are people who accepted the mediocrity of past Buicks.
Just hope they get it here soon. Don’t really care what the name is.
Don’t call it a Riviera. Not without at least meating half the criterion of a riv. 2 door yes. Convertible? Not as much. Only vert riv was in 83 for some 200 cars or some low production number. Most importantly, the riv was always the flagship car of the lineup. “buick-ifying” a cascada isn’t a flagship design. It’s adapting another car to follow the regal vibe. Love this idea….Just not as a riv.
Just make it look like the Buick Velite and consider it sold. Maybe call it “Skylark”…
OPEL ASTRA OPC goes US market not ford focus st or golf R alone . money money GM
Nice looking car but it needs an original name.
This is not a Riviera type car and if Buick does a flagship they might use the name there.
As for Skylark I remember the 53-54 models as works of art but many people today recall the trashy little X Body of the 70’s and 80’s. This car is neither of these types too.
Does anyone know what the back seat leg room is on the Cascada?
http://www.the-blueprints.com/vectordrawings/show/8423/opel_cascada/
Please, no historic names. Give it a new name, for a new start in a new vehicle for a new Buick.
You can say what you want about the “Verano” name, but the vehicle is selling well and that’s what matters.
I have been waiting for a GM luxury convertible for years. I currently own an Audi and before that a BMW. I hate sending my money overseas. So come on GM, build it. I’m sure you work out the minor design flaws. Make it a soft top, that’s why I didn’t get a new BMW
IMO this is a mistake all the way around. First of all, it’s too small; second, if the other rumor I heard is true (that the price will start around $34K) it’ll be way too expensive for what it is. Chrysler’s 200 convertible (sadly discontinued now) was a class larger and topped out around $32K in Limited garb with a fairly powerful V-6! Lastly, DO NOT call it a Riviera; that was a flag-ship car in the 80s, regardless of whether or not Millenials will recognize the name, and it was produced as an after-market convertible (Buick outsourced the conversion) from 1981-85!