The new Cascada is Buick’s first convertible in years. And in April 2016 — its second full month in the U.S. market — the compact drop-top accounted for a total of 1,090 sales.
By contrast, Buick Cascada sales totaled 814 units in March 2016Â — its first full sales month in the U.S.
Sales Results - USA - Cascada
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2019 | 249 | 249 | 249 | 437 | 437 | 437 | 133 | 133 | 133 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 2,535 |
| 2018 | 202 | 299 | 417 | 458 | 458 | 458 | 367 | 367 | 367 | 248 | 248 | 248 | 4,136 |
| 2017 | 312 | 632 | 498 | 692 | 610 | 711 | 422 | 364 | 284 | 350 | 312 | 408 | 5,595 |
| 2016 | 88 | 495 | 814 | 1,090 | 829 | 755 | 633 | 622 | 470 | 361 | 367 | 629 | 7,153 |
The GM Authority Take
Though the sales results aren’t earth-shattering, they do deliver incremental sales and bring new customers to Buick, all while having the capability of changing perceptions about the brand.
Comments
Needs a new front facada. Something fresh, the new head lamps
Add to that a much improved and modernized interior plus better ride dynamics.
Buick set the bar low for this model both in execution and sales volume. They are anticipating around 8000-9000 units for the first year and so far they are on pace to slightly exceed that.
The first thing that comes to mind when seeing the 2016 Buick Cascada is the Pontiac Aztek or a horrible mistake, the Cascada is $33K or about the same price as the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro convertible which is equipped with a 275 hp LTG 2.0L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo and one has to wonder what sales numbers for a Buick Avista and Avista convertible might be like as it has to be 2-3X better.
I would venture to say that Camaro convertible sales volume are only marginally better than the Cascada.
I get you point but someone looking at something like a Cascada would not inherently go to a Camaro if the Cascada was not around.
The Camaro Convertible and the Cascada are different vehicles for entirely different customers. Yes, they’re both two-door soft-top convertibles with turbo-four engines. The similarities end there.
A pie-in-the-sky Buick Avista Convertible would have been priced at least $10,000 higher than the Cascada based on its premium positioning and architecture.
I am one of the people who purchased the Cascada in March. As expected, it is a similar, but improved, version of the SAAB convertibles we owned in the 1990s but which cost more then than the Cascada does 20 years later. The car mag complaints about a dated interior or weight (among other things) seem to miss the point. The Cascada is fun, comfortable, plenty-quick and stylish and has straight forward intuitive controls, none of which were strong points in the now-discontinued Chrysler rag-tops. I admit to being part of the target audience for the Cascada (and Buick’s in general) but never would have considered the American pony convertibles, Mustang or Camaro. I believe our county has only 3 curvy spots so handling race course handling is not high on our list and the HP/torque necessary for successful drag-racing at stoplights seems important only for the infantile. The equivalent A5 or BMW3/4 convertibles have no exclusivity but are significantly more expensive for no useful reason. Needless to say, my wife and I are quite happy with our Cascada.
More or less the same scenario here. I’m under 40, and previously a BMW owner, but thought the Cascada looked beautiful. I’ve owned it for two months now and honestly have no complaints.
It’s very comfortable, extremely attractive–and yes, I really do get the “is that a Buick?” At least once a week, and I’d even go as far as to say practical. I have no issue with the technology and I’m not sure why there is so much discussion about it being outdated. It suits me perfectly fine and does everything it needs to do. I’d love just a bit more power, and side blind zone alert would be great for the LA driving I do, but neither of these is so inconveniencing that they’re deal breakers.
Pony cars were definitely not on my short list. I owned muscle cars in the 90’s as a teenager just as they were slowly being phased out. I had an 86 Trans Am, an 88 Camero and a 90 Daytona Turbo–they served their purpose (back then). They’re neither what I need or want today. Having been a previous BMW owner, I couldn’t see going to a 2 series. As you say, no exclusivity for so much more money; Audi wasn’t doing it for me. That leaves virtually no other choices, so for me the Cascada was a great fit.
I’m perfectly happy and content thus far. In fact, I may buy another Buick in the future as I’m not only pleased with the car, but the customer service experience has been excellent.
It reminds me a lot of the Pontiac G6 convertible.
I actually saw one in the flesh (and metal and plastic) in Austin, TX. You could have knocked me over with a feather.
Driven by a UT sorority girl?
I saw one in Austin too. Pretty surprised to see one myself. And it was in far NW Austin, so I’d be really surprised if it was a UT sorority girl.
Same here first time I saw it. It’s a gorgeous car. I saw one on a dealer’s lot while my car was being serviced and I bought one the next day.
Strange looking car to me. I need to see it in person. I like the interior. 200hp seems enough for a small car like this but the price points of 33k – 36k seem a little steep for a compact car that has limited usability
Typically, convertible and usability aren’t used in the same sentence.
What everyone who has an issue with the Cascada’s price needs to consider is its primary rival, the Audi A3 convertible. Buyers will most definitely cross-shop the two. And when they do, they will see that the Cascada represents a much better value:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2015/09/2016-buick-cascada-officially-priced-at-33990/
Whether this will work in Buick’s favor or not, though, is another question. In other words, do buyers in this segment care about a difference of $3,500?
It looks smaller in-person, and therefore looked far less strange in-person to me than in pictures. Much more sleek in-person.
Almost all the reviews I have read have panned the Cascada for it’s dated interior, unusual girth and exterior design.
It looks handsome to me but I have not seen one in person yet.
Luckily Buick is not looking for this model to burn up the sales chart.
I agree with jamdown’s first sentence . The Cascada is built on an old platform and is nothing but an Opal with a Buick badge . It seems GM took a play from their old pre-bankruptcy days and has gone down the path of badge engineering . This will be a car for the older crowds in Florida and Arizona that just want fun in the sun and aren’t worried about horsepower or driving dynamics .
I haven’t seen one at my Buick dealership yet , maybe it is a nice looking ragtop but I don’t see this car doing much for Buick’s image . It’s just a niche car put together in time for summer .
Agree that this may hurt Buick more than help it in the short term. Hopefully there is a 2nd gen lurking in the next 3-4 years or at least a quick update of the centre stack and switch-gear.
I get the target market for the Cascada, but it simply holds very little appeal. Chrysler abandoned the segment after practically owning it throughout its production years, and I simply can’t see Buick doing any better with this car! And the reviews for it are practically solidifying this fact!
I’m shocked Buick managed to sell a thousand of these thus far! Goes to show people will buy anything if they like the badge!
Excuse me, but I Bought one of these cars in March and I love it. It is a gorgeous car. You have no clue what you are talking about ! How can you cut something down when you don’t even own one ? Have you even driven one ? I find it very amusing that someone can come on here and dis something and they don’t know what they are talking about ! You have like 10 reviews here, (some are repeat people) and you are saying the reviews practically solidify facts that the car isn’t doing good. Come on guy. I bet none of you have even driven one let alone own one. This car is wonderful all the way around !