Is the Opel Cascada Ready for the U.S. Market?

General Motors, the United States-based automotive giant, is likely to import the Opel Cascada four-passenger convertible to the United States soon. According to officials with the brand, if the transfer does go through, the Cascada will probably be phased into the Buick line-up for release in the United States. The importation would be good news for Opel; the German-based company needs to expand its international markets if it hopes to recover completely and attain prosperity after it filed bankruptcy a few years ago during the recession.

Meet the Cascada

The Cascada is one of Opel’s most popular models, well-known for its elegance and comfort already despite just being introduced earlier this year in Europe. It is a two-door midsized convertible car with a soft-top that folds down. A new model just released in 2013, the Opel Cascada currently comes with three powertrain alternatives ranging from 1.4 L Turbo running on petrol to the 2.0 L Turbo that uses diesel. The six-speed transmission is available in automatic and manual. Opel created the Cascada to replace the Astra TwinTop. By using the EcoFlex engine, the Cascada has improved fuel economy and lower emissions. Unlike the Opel Adama supermini, the Cascada should not take many expensive modifications to reach compliance with United States federal safety standards and regulations.

Marketability

General Motors does not quite have anything that matches the Opel Cascada’s four-seat comfort in the sportiness and freedom of a convertible; the car would be unique in General Motors’ line. The Cascada was one of a few cars designed and released in the period of time when General Motors was considering selling Opel-Vauxhall, its European subsidiary, as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy dealings. Compliance with overseas regulations was not a major concern to the intended buyers of the company at the time which saved money and time on the then-current car builds. Now, the company is in recovery and still owned by General Motors; the American parent company has been transferring this and some of Opel’s other models to the United States to gain ground in more international markets. Some of the models that have already been successfully transitioned include the Opel Insignia sedan, rebadged as the Buick Regal, and Buick Verano which is a modified Opel Astra sedan. The success of these bodes well for any other models that attempt the transfer.

Opel, a subsidiary of General Motors, is hoping to bolster sales with the move. Although now in recovery, the business suffered significant losses during the recession. The company needs to expand its international markets if it hopes to recover completely and attain prosperity. This is all part of Opel’s ten-year Drive!2022 plan implemented by Opel Supervisory Board Chairman Steve Girsky and CEO Karlthomas Neumann. The Drive!2022 plan is designed to drive the automotive maker to profitability before the end of the decade. The European company has struggled, losing $18 billion since 1999.