Only days ago we reported that Dan Akerson, General Motors’ CEO, wants Opel/Vauxhall and Buick to be even more closely bound, even though they already share three models – Opel Insignia/Buick Regal, Opel Astra Sedan/Buick Verano and Opel Mokka/Buick Encore.
According to a new report from Automotive News, Akerson would like to bring more Opel/Vauxhall models to the U.S., with the Adam city car and the Cascada four-seat convertible being the most likely candidates.
The CEO criticized GM’s decisions taken ahead of its 2009 bankruptcy to develop the Adam and Cascada for the Chinese market but not for the United States. According to Akerson, the addition of those vehicles “would help Buick in this market and in China in terms of demographics.”
Launched in Europe this past January, the €11,500 ($15,350) Adam competes against the Fiat 500 and Mini Cooper, while the two-door, four-seat Cascada – built on the same platform as the Buick Verano – costs €24,945 ($33,300).
Back in March, at the reveal of the Cascada in Geneva, GM vice chairman Steve Girsky said the convertible is an expensive halo car that “would have to be amalgamated for the U.S., which adds cost and complexity.”
However, last month, GM North America president Mark Reuss said Buick is ready for something special, including a convertible, a coupe or a flagship sedan among the possibilities.
By Dan Mihalascu
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