Quote:
Originally Posted by Branden
I am talking about sales the XLR looses to the Corvette. Again..if someone gives you $80K..and tells you to choose between a Z06, or base Northstar XLR...what do you buy? Hell, a $60K LS3 Vert is even a more compelling choice than a base XLR. You can get most everything that is in an XLR in a Vette with the exception of the folding hard top.
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Well, your assumption is that the Corvette is actually competing with the XLR.
If there is some sort of distinction that these 2 are "complementary," then GM has failed to distinguish these 2 cars.
Just because they sit on the same platforms, doesn't mean they should or do target the same market.
If XLR loses a sale because it is seen as an "inferior Corvette," then GM didn't do enough of a job in turning the XLR into an effective Mercedes SL and Jaguar XK competitor.
It doesn't matter if XLR has a Northstar or an EcoTec under the hood. Horsepower is only part of the equation.
The question is, "Does XLR stand up to its proper competition?" And the general consensus is a resounding "No," despite a large amount of technology and image and special "XLR only" perks. It wasn't enough to make a significant impact against the SL or the XK.
Does XLR look like a car that is worth $82,000 base? Yes.
Does the design and packaging prove to customers that it is worth $82,000 base? Not really.
If Cadillac had give the interior of the XLR an SLS or CTS--like treatment, I think we would have seen better sales overall.
This revised XLR shows only one thing -- GM is cutting its losses and is preparing the XLR to die. And that's extremely disheartening because of the sheer potential this car had.