Opel Cascada to be imported by GM and sold stateside as a Buick

Due for presentation at NAIAS in Detroit, the new Buick Cascada will be the first convertible sold under the brand's name in close to 25 years. The model is due to arrive at American dealerships from early 2016.

The four-seater convertible will be an exact copy of the Opel Cascada currently sold in Europe. The model will be equipped with a 1.6 Ecotec Direct Injection Turbo engine with 200hp, coupled with an automatic six-speed transmission. Among available options, Buick has announced 20-inch alloy wheels and leather seats.

Introduced in fall 2012, the Cascada aims to combine affordability with high-end features. The car's structure, more robust than that of previous Opel models, is meant to contribute to more comfortable driving, with a significant reduction in noise, vibration and shocks. The power roof opens in just 17 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 50km/h.

The news that General Motors will import the Cascada hardly comes as a surprise, as the American company has sold multiple Opel models under the Buick brand in the past. The convertible will follow in the footsteps of the Opel Mokka, sold as the Buick Encore in the US, and the Insignia, sold stateside as the Buick Regal. General Motors is also hoping to import the Opel Cascada in Australia and New Zealand under the Holden name.

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is open to the public January 17 to 25, 2015 in Detroit.