buick, detroit and me — reinventing ourselves!

Buick signs

After visiting Detroit, I’m especially proud to be partnering with Buick in 2015 for a yearlong adventure where I get to experience the iconic brand with a small group of bloggers. I’ll be going behind the scenes to see how the cars are actually made, attending some special events Buick sponsors and getting to drive some of their cars.

This project became even more exciting to me after our first event last week: the big North America International Auto Show in Detroit. This is THE car show, and if you’re into cars at all, it’s the one to attend.

Buick goody box

Before the show, though, we got a tour of Detroit, which is experiencing a major resurgence. We ate at great restaurants, did a little shopping (sorry, Michael) and made our own books by hand, which was unexpected and a highlight of the weekend. I will be writing about all of this in detail because I’m sure many of you have the same misconceptions about the city that I did. But first I’m going to tell you about Buick.

Like the city it calls home, Buick is also experiencing a major resurgence. The company, which produced its first car in 1903, sold almost 1.2 million cars in 2014, marking the second consecutive sales record for the most Buicks sold in a single year. Wow!

Buick sales up

Not surprisingly, the Encore — which, you may remember, Michael and I drove on our amazing Buick Bucket List trip — is at the forefront of Buick’s growth.

But just wait till you see what they have in store next!

We got to attend the Buick press conference the night before the show, which was a blast. It felt like what Fashion Week must be like: paparazzi snapping away at the industry’s A-listers, including General Motors CEO Mary Barra, on the right here,

Buick Mary Barra

all kinds of interesting food being passed around, like these delicious macarons shot with raspberry

Buick macaron

and this brilliant assembly line

Buick assembly line food

featuring the cutest, yummiest dishes

Buick mac and cheese

and, of course, the highly-anticipated reveal.

Buick Cascada at show

How gorgeous is this car?! The 2016 Buick Cascada is the brand’s first convertible in 25 years and I believe it’s got my name on it. I mean, what better place to appreciate driving with the top down than the California coastline?

Buick Cascada coastline

“Cascada” means “waterfall,” and the car lives up to its name with a flowing, sculpted profile that’s sophisticated yet sporty.

As if that wasn’t enough, Buick then revealed the Avenir, a concept car which USA Today dubbed “the most beautiful car at the show.” It is a stunner.

Buick Avenir

A concept car, for those — like me — who never heard the term before, is a prototype made to showcase and test a new idea, design or technology. Most concept cars never make it into production but, from the crowd’s reaction, people are hoping this one will. Interestingly, Buick was the first to introduce a concept car — the Buick Y-Job — in 1938.

When I got back to my hotel, I got a kick out of seeing the TV coverage of the event.

Buick on TV

The next day, we were up very early to head to the auto show and check out the press conference for the Chevy Volt. Chevrolet is also a General Motors brand.

Buick media credentials

We then got a chance to walk around the show, see what was going on with other brands and talk to some of the Buick designers about color. This was so fascinating to me, I’d love to continue this discussion next time I’m in Detroit.

Buick colors board

As I talked to more and more people who worked for Buick, I was struck by the passion they have for their jobs. The pride they take in their work is obvious, and their enthusiasm about the cars is palpable and infectious.Β This says a lot to me about the brand.

I was also really impressed by the care Buick is taking to keep the brand relevant and exciting after more than a century in the industry. I mean, who would have expected them to be introducing a hot little convertible or coming out with the “most beautiful car” of the biggest car show of the year?

#ThatsABuick

This weekend was so inspiring to me personally, and there are lots of lessons to be learned.

If Buick can reinvent itself at the age of 111 and Detroit, which is over 300 years old, can give birth to some of my new favorite places like Salt and Cedar, Shinola, Selden Standard — without either one compromising its rich history or core values — well, then, imagine what I can do at 56!

(Note: I will still be reviewing other cars this year so you know what’s out there; I will just be giving you a more intimate look at Buick.)

50 thoughts on “buick, detroit and me — reinventing ourselves!

  1. I love that you got to see, first hand, the changes in Detroit and the new face of the US auto manufacturers that we have been reading about! I am eager to hear about the rest that Buick (and Chevy) have to offer. You know I love my Volt!

    Funny how it always comes down to amazingly beautiful food and driving up the coast with the top down….

  2. It sounds like you had quite the adventure. I was at a Chevy event at the Boston car show last week and it’s amazing what they are doing with cars these days.

  3. Yay. Glad you saw Detroit up n coming into its next chapter! The Comeback Kid for sure. When I was growing up in the D, Buicks were what my grandparents drove! I’m proud of Detroit and can’t wait to read more of what you’ve discovered. The auto show is great fun. And wow! Do I love the Cascada too! Looks pricey. Great gig you have, girl! Don’t read a lot of posts about brands/products…….. But you manage to make them interesting and personalized! Well done.

  4. Ohhh what a gorgeous car that is!!! You totally need to get one and take me with you up the California coastline. Wow.

  5. Every car I see lately that I love… turns out to be a Buick. They’re pretty spot on with visual appeal for me right now, that’s for sure.

  6. WOW it sound like it was a great event and that was a nice goody basket that they gave you as well. I’ve never owned a Buick but may get one once the kids are gone and I’m empty nesting.

  7. Oh, what FUN! Those Macarons and the other food …. wow! And that convertible! I have never really seen a Buick before that I was crazy about, but that …. I LOVE IT!

  8. You are kind of a rock star! loved the picture of the convertible and of course the picture of the mac and cheese in the cast iron skillet. (I am a caterer!)
    Thanks for sharing

  9. I watch car ads for an advertising/marketing firm and so I am very intrigued by this post. The Buick commercials always stick with me…”That’s not a Buick…” So funny!

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