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.
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!
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,
all kinds of interesting food being passed around, like these delicious macarons shot with raspberry
and this brilliant assembly line
featuring the cutest, yummiest dishes
and, of course, the highly-anticipated reveal.
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?
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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?
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.)
Today’s Buicks are not the cars of the past! Thanks for the fresh look! Love the Cascada!
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….
How neat! I’m looking forward to your Buick posts! I LOVE that Avenir!!!
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.
This looks like it was an amazing event. I WISH I could have been there.
What a fun experience! My first car was a convertible, I would love to have a rag-top again!
Buick is definitely doing a great job reinventing themselves. Their new cars are gorgeous.
What an awesome experience. They really know how to put on a show!
Wow what an amazing way to start off what sounds like it will be just a fantastic year 🙂 enjoy every moment. x
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.
They have definitely redefined how the Buick looks. I’m sure the carshow was a blast.
The food looked amazing.
Wow what a fun time you had. Plus I look forward to the year ahead to see what you bring us. Sounds like it’s going to be fun.
I find it very interesting and wonderful that car manufacturers are recognizing that boomers are their market these days. Congratulations for being selected.
Ohhh what a gorgeous car that is!!! You totally need to get one and take me with you up the California coastline. Wow.
What a fun event. The food looks amazing and that box of goodies looks fun.
Looks like you had a great time. What a wonderful experience! The food and goodies looks great too!
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.
What an incredible adventure the whole event must have been. How fun to see the cars and eat the food and to be an “insider” of the event – WOW!
That Avenir is seriously gorgeous! You are lucky to have attended such a fun event. I loved reading how much pride the people have in their company and jobs.
Love the resurgence of Buick and of Detroit. We visited Detroit last summer and had a great time. A perfect weekend would be to do it again in that beautiful car!
Buick has really re-designed their fleet nicely!
It’s a pretty car .. Buicks have been getting some good reviews in recent years.
We have been dreaming of a buick for years… sounds like a great car show…
Those Macaron shots look delicious! Also, I have always been a fan of Buicks.
Looks like a great car. It will be a fun year for you. I love attending the auto show. So many great cars
What an exciting and spectacular event. I love all you found out.
What a wonderful opportunity. Congratulations! Bring back the Buick Riviera Convertible. =)
Wow Buick really knows how to wine and dine! So jealous you got to discover so much on the brand
Looks like a nice car. I have never driven a Buick, however would consider it!
Looks like a really fun time! And I have to admit that food looks delicious even the bizarre macaroon haha!
Looks like so much fun! Food and cars, doesn’t get better 🙂
My first car was a Buick and I loved it! It sounds like Buick is doing a lot to reinvent themselves in a new, cooler way!
My mom just gave her 97 Buick to a friend of mine. Other than a few cosmetic emergencies, the car is in great shape!
how cool! What a great event to be at! Love the little dishes of food too. Yum
The Cascada is definitely a beautiful car! Looks like you had a fantastic time on your trip. That macaron looks incredible!
I love the new Buick commercials. The cars look so nice now!
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.
Wait, you were in Detroit and I did not see you 😉 I missed the car show this year. I really wanted to go.
Fun! And yes, I think you’re right that that car should be driven down the CA coast. 🙂
Looks like you had a great time! Love the macroon!
Sounds like you had a great time. The cars are very nice and the food looks delicious.,
It looks like you had a great time!! That Cascada looks like like a fun car to drive!!
Detroit looks like a great place to explore. I would love to go on a holiday there.
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!
Macaroons with a shot of raspberry haha now that is just too cool haha! Yum!
Great write-up on an amazing weekend! Looking forward to all the good things to come with Buick this year!
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
Great post! Looks like we were at the same event! Wasn’t the Cascada and Avenir reveal epic?
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!
I love that Detroit and Buick are reinventing themselves. It was time!