GM Inside News Forum - Global Cadillac News

GM Inside News Forum - Global Cadillac News http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums Cadillac is trying to take off in Europe and China. Check this forum out for the latest on everything Caddy. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:57:44 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/v2/misc/rss.jpg GM Inside News Forum - Global Cadillac News http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums <![CDATA[New Cadillac SLS & Buick Excelle XT to make global debut in Guangzhou]]> http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/new-cadillac-sls-buick-excelle-xt-make-global-debut-guangzhou-86240/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:36:55 GMT New Cadillac SLS and Buick Excelle XT to make global debut in Guangzhou
Yang Jian

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SHANGHAI -- The new Cadillac SLS luxury business sedan and Buick Excelle XT five-door coup¨¦-like sedan built by Shanghai General Motors Co. will make their global debut at the Guangzhou Auto Show, according to GM China.

The two new models will be among the 26 vehicles from Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac displayed on Shanghai GM's 3,000-square-meter stand at the show that runs from November 24 to November 30.

The new Cadillac SLS will be fitted with 3.0-liter and 3.6-liter SIDI engines. It will also be the first model in China to be equipped with OnStar.

A global product tailored for the Chinese market, Buick Excelle XT is the first five-door coup¨¦-like sedan from Buick.

Buick Excelle XT complements the rest of Shanghai GM's product portfolio, serving as a bridge between the new Buick Excelle and Buick New Regal, says GM China in a statement.

http://www.autonewschina.com/en/article.asp?id=3749

Sorry if its a re-post! ]]> Global Cadillac News patrickbec http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/new-cadillac-sls-buick-excelle-xt-make-global-debut-guangzhou-86240/ Whitacre wants the Cadillac Escalade to remain BOF/RWD http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/whitacre-wants-cadillac-escalade-remain-bof-rwd-86101/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:24:17 GMT GM Chairman Ed Whitacre clear he's in driver's seat

Whether on TV or talking with workers, Whitacre leaves an impression

BY TIM HIGGINS
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER

More than four months on the job as General Motors' chairman, Ed Whitacre has sent several clear signals about who is in charge: Ed Whitacre.

The board, under Whitacre's direction, last week undid the deal crafted under Chief Executive Officer Fritz Henderson to sell Germany-based Opel. Then, this week, Whitacre suggested GM might not become publicly traded again as quickly as Henderson and other GM officials had suggested.

Internally, GM executives told the Free Press, Whitacre is sending a clear message through the organization that urgency and change is required.

"He's a very hands-on guy. I really question how long before he just wants to call all of the shots himself," a longtime insider said.

While that's a notion with plenty of doubters -- some citing the fact that Whitacre is 68 and already retired from one CEO role -- the talk stems from the fact that his involvement in GM is unlike that of previous independent board members, in great part because of his job as a non-CEO chairman. He's spending several days a month in Detroit and has set up an office with staff members in the Renaissance Center.

"A tight grip" by Whitacre "and an activist board do not equal a lack of confidence in management," a veteran GM executive said.

A GM spokeswoman noted Thursday that Whitacre has stated that Henderson has the full support of the board.

A hands-on leader

Whitacre is making an impression throughout GM and to the outside world as he takes a high-visibility role.

He became the face of the post-bankruptcy company in TV ads launched in September.

On a visit to GM's Arlington, Texas, assembly plant, Whitacre -- who retired as AT&T CEO and chairman -- sounded more like a car guy than a phone guy.

The plant's union president, Enrique Flores, UAW Local 276, told members in a recent note that Whitacre "stated that he personally believes the Escalade should remain a rear-wheel drive, framed vehicle, not a crossover type of vehicle."

Under the old GM, one would be hard pressed to find board members wandering the assembly lines, talking about vehicle platforms with UAW members.

"The men and women behind these great vehicles want this company to succeed, and they want it to succeed badly. And they know it starts as being responsive as possible to customer demand," Whitacre told an audience this week at Texas Lutheran University, where he briefly taught following his AT&T retirement.

Whitacre as chairman and Fritz Henderson as CEO is a different leadership structure than before bankruptcy, when Rick Wagoner held both roles and received little pushback from the company's directors.

From the start, Whitacre made it clear that he wanted the latitude to make decisions at GM without having to worry about the government butting in.

"So far, they've been true to their word. They have let us run it," Whitacre said during his speech in Texas. GM has so far declined Free Press requests to interview Whitacre one on one.

Whitacre's board tried to push GM management to move up the launch of the Chevrolet Cruze small car, according to a person familiar with the discussions.

The second-quarter launch already was seen as overly ambitious.

So GM officials announced in October that the Cruze launch would be delayed until the third quarter of 2010.

Gerald Meyers, a business professor at the University of Michigan, said Whitacre is walking a fine line between holding the organization together and trying to shock it into change.

"We are getting into fighting shape. We're not there yet. We still have a long way to go, but we are definitely on our way," Whitacre said this week.

Link ]]> Global Cadillac News Buick61 http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/whitacre-wants-cadillac-escalade-remain-bof-rwd-86101/ LA Times Reviews 2010 CTS Sport Wagon http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/la-times-reviews-2010-cts-sport-wagon-86070/ Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:44:17 GMT Although the author finds mostly positive attributes for the vehicle, and gives sizeable cargo figures, he manages to say the CTS is beginning to feel "a little dated" compared to its German and Japanese competition. Read the article here:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...3758369.column ]]> Global Cadillac News ClassyEldo http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/la-times-reviews-2010-cts-sport-wagon-86070/ GM to produce Cadillac Converj http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/gm-produce-cadillac-converj-85977/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:57:29 GMT GM to put electric Cadillac Converj into production

Robert Snell / The Detroit News

General Motors Co. has decided to produce the Cadillac Converj, an extended-range electric car using the same technology as the Chevrolet Volt, The Detroit News has learned.

Cadillac included the Converj, a concept car that wowed industry critics and the public at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, in a presentation made to the automaker's board of directors Nov. 2, according to sources familiar with the production plan.

More at the link: http://www.detnews.com/article/20091...nto-production

Mark ]]> Global Cadillac News usa1 http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/gm-produce-cadillac-converj-85977/ Edmunds Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Review http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/edmunds-cadillac-cts-sport-wagon-review-85895/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:57:48 GMT We're stopped in traffic when a clunker of a Corolla slots up on our right and comes to a stop. Odd behavior, really, as that lane has a green arrow, while our 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is waiting at a red.

A horn blares and we look ahead. Still red. Shrug. Beeeep. Still red. Shrug. Beeeeeeeep. Our right window is still full of off-white Corolla, and we take note of the passenger, a kid of maybe 17. The driver is his girlfriend or his big sister, and either way he's reaching over and holding down the horn with his left hand and she doesn't stop him. Suddenly he's giving us the thumbs-down and orders his chauffeur down the ramp and onto the highway.

We signal right, kick the 304-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 into gear and rocket the CTS Sport Wagon after them. Not looking for trouble, mind you. It's just that this station wagon, Cadillac's first for North America, has lit a fire under this kid and we want to know why.

http://www.insideline.com/cadillac/c...and-video.html ]]> Global Cadillac News 454 http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/edmunds-cadillac-cts-sport-wagon-review-85895/ Wall Street Journal chooses CTS Wagon in comparo! http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/wall-street-journal-chooses-cts-wagon-comparo-85858/ Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:52:35 GMT :cool: Examining five popular wagons, and automakers' desire for a resurgence in consumer interest in stationwagons, the Cadillac CTS Sportwagon is the writer's choice! Read about it here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...ions_lifestyle ]]> Global Cadillac News ClassyEldo http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/wall-street-journal-chooses-cts-wagon-comparo-85858/ Insideline: Cadillac CTS-V Challenge: BMW Kinda Won http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/insideline-cadillac-cts-v-challenge-bmw-kinda-won-85613/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:56:43 GMT

And it's a stunt that a young guy, who claimed to be a Skip Barber school graduate but not a racer, won in his BMW M3. His fast lap of 2:50:424 was the fastest single lap of any driver that wasn't a ringer (Heinricy, Link and Redman). No other CTS-V could touch him.
Link
My post on Inside line below

Quote:

I cannot believe Insideline, which did not even bother to take on Lutz offer, could stoop as low as to outright tell a tall tale as to who won. . IL credibility is wearing thin, really. First it was the attempt to push a theory that the “corvette is no longer cool”, and now this while GT-R is the best thing since sliced bread.
InsideLine is becoming the MSNBC of automotive world, loosing all credibility.

]]> Global Cadillac News mbukukanyau http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/insideline-cadillac-cts-v-challenge-bmw-kinda-won-85613/ <![CDATA[Lutz's Cadillac Puts On A Better Show Than Lutz.]]> http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/lutzs-cadillac-puts-better-show-than-lutz-85611/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:14:19 GMT From AUTOMOTIVE NEWS:

Quote:

Lutz's Cadillac puts on a better show than Lutz
'Maximum Bob' gathers media to praise viral videos, compare new CTS-V with competitors' wheels

Jonathan Schultz
Automotive News | October 30, 2009 - 9:28 am EST

MONTICELLO, N.Y. (AdAge.com) -- "Hi, I'm Bob Lutz, and this is the Cadillac CTS-V Drive Challenge."

General Motors Co.'s marketing chief dons his monogrammed helmet and puts Cadillac's 550-horsepower sedan through some warm-up laps at Monticello Motor Club, a members-only track. In what might have passed as a dismissible moment of Lutz braggadocio, "Maximum" Bob has challenged anyone with a four-door sedan to beat his 2010 CTS-V.

Though not a showman by trade, Lutz is bankable for amusing, bald-faced assessments of his employer, his critics and the auto industry at large. He infamously quipped to a room full of journalists in 2008 that global warming was "a total crock of ****," later clarifying that he's "a skeptic, not a denier."

Yet he's uncharacteristically self-deprecating on this race day.

Patrick Morrissey, GM's director of product and brand communications, deadpans, "He's got plenty of confidence in the car, but not so much in himself."

The Lutz dare was answered and propagated this summer by Gawker Media's car-culture blog Jalopnik, which is why Lutz is now pitted against lead-footed auto journos and whoever else has the cojones -- and the car -- to challenge him and his ultra high-performance Caddy at Monticello.

Good deal

Before race time, the 77-year-old Mr. Lutz sounded every bit the viral-media convert.

"This isn't one of those Evian baby videos that everyone passes around. But we've still gotten great pick-up on the blogs," he says, dressed in khakis and a red button-down with a Corvette logo embroidered on the pocket.

"Sure, it costs a lot to get all these cars up here and have all these people come, but it's still incredibly cost-effective. I mean, compared to making and getting air time for a 30-second TV spot, there's no comparison in cost terms."

Boston-based Modernista produced those 30-second spots at a time when Cadillac's redesigned CTS sedan was collecting car of the year laurels from multiple U.S. publications.

Yet the commercials, featuring a coquettish Kate Walsh questioning, "When you turn your car on, does it return the favor?" seemingly failed to capture their target, who continued mulling over Germany's Big Three luxury compact sedans: the BMW 3 Series, the Mercedes-Benz C Class and the Audi A4.

Early this month, GM split from the agency completely, which it had previously retained for its Hummer brand.

No joy in marketing land

"There's no joy pumping bullets into the marketing department. To see great cars butchered by bad marketing was the worst thing," said Lutz, who has taken control of GM's marketing. "Now I get to market our own stuff."

For all his cocksure quips, he has no delusions about his limitations as a brand custodian.

"I don't try to muscle the brand managers. If they want my input when it's time to make a decision, I'm happy to provide it," he said.

Nor does Lutz see Caddy fitting tidily within the eventual winning agency's automotive-client silo. "We need a full-service agency; we're a little bit different from club soda and tennis shoes," he said.

Come race time, the drivers break into heats. Jalopnik's road-test editor, Wes Siler, was considered an early threat to Lutz and all other contenders, but he struggles with his Mitsubishi Evo X's erratic power delivery, posting a disappointing 3:08 best lap time.

Meanwhile, a pair of deftly piloted BMW M3s set the early benchmark with sub-2:50 runs, while their more powerful sibling, an M5, doesn't even place. Despite his age, Lutz hammers the straightaways and displays nimble turn-in at the corners in his CTS-V automatic, finishing in a commendable 2:56.

He is bested by the BMWs, a stinging blow -- if not for the five other CTS-Vs on the racetrack driven by GM engineers and executives, which post solidly in the mid-2:40s, the day's fastest times.

While not necessarily a great day for Lutz, it is a grand day at the races for Cadillac.

SOUCE: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...plate=printart ]]> Global Cadillac News megeebee http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/lutzs-cadillac-puts-better-show-than-lutz-85611/ China-only SLS getting updated http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/china-only-sls-getting-updated-85560/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:45:32 GMT *_Spied: 2011 Cadillac SLS_* 10/28/2009 While Cadillac’s STS will be discontinued in the U.S. in a little over a year, the version General Motors sells in China, the SLS, appears ready to soldier on for a few more model years. Cadillac will replace the STS — along with the DTS — with the all-new XTS in the United States in just a few years. This face-lifted Chinese market SLS test cars were just shot undergoing testing in the U.S. These prototypes show the SLS will get a revised front end with a new grill, new headlights and a new lower grille opening. We also see lots of new LEDs in the headlight cluster itself and in the fog lights. Powertrain changes remain unknown, but we aren’t expecting anything major as the SLS will largely be a carryover item for a single market. *MORE AT LeftLaneNew.scom (http://www.leftlanenews.com/cadillac-sls.html)* Spied: 2011 Cadillac SLS
10/28/2009

While Cadillac’s STS will be discontinued in the U.S. in a little over a year, the version General Motors sells in China, the SLS, appears ready to soldier on for a few more model years. Cadillac will replace the STS — along with the DTS — with the all-new XTS in the United States in just a few years.

This face-lifted Chinese market SLS test cars were just shot undergoing testing in the U.S. These prototypes show the SLS will get a revised front end with a new grill, new headlights and a new lower grille opening. We also see lots of new LEDs in the headlight cluster itself and in the fog lights.

Powertrain changes remain unknown, but we aren’t expecting anything major as the SLS will largely be a carryover item for a single market.

MORE AT LeftLaneNew.scom ]]> Global Cadillac News nadepalma http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/china-only-sls-getting-updated-85560/ Track Tested: 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/track-tested-2010-cadillac-cts-sport-wagon-85507/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:32:38 GMT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edmunds

Don't ask why the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon exists, just be glad that it does. Cadillac could have directed some funds into building the Escalade EAT, but instead it built this far more sensible, and better-looking, wagon instead.

Actually, Cadillac refers to this CTS as a sport wagon, which is typcially a euphemism for a wagon that's not actually useful. In this case, however, the CTS offers a solid 25 cubic feet of space behind the second-row seats. Not exactly huge, but more than your average trunk and it expands to over 53 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

More importantly, this wagon is actually sporty. It gets all the same equipment as the sedan so there's a 304-horsepower V6 under the hood and a well-tuned suspension holding it up. On our scales, the wagon adds about 200 pounds compared to the sedan, but the added weight in back actually evens out the wagon's weight distribution to nearly 50/50.

For 2010, Cadillac also introduced a new 19-inch wheel and tire package, so this CTS wore big 245/45ZR19 tires. Did it help? Can it outrun the sedan? Will anybody care?

Full article and track numbers @ LINK ]]> Global Cadillac News TuffG929 http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/track-tested-2010-cadillac-cts-sport-wagon-85507/ First Mercedes, now Jaguar pulls out of Lutz CTS-V Challenge; Lutz Responds http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/first-mercedes-now-jaguar-pulls-out-lutz-cts-v-challenge-lutz-responds-85483/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:26:15 GMT See below for Lutz's response

------------------
Jalopnik.com
Ray Wert

Jaguar PR just called saying they've withdrawn their pledge to let Wes race the XFR Thursday against GM's Bob Lutz in a Cadillac CTS-V. Apparently, not because they're afraid to lose, they're afraid the XFR just can't take it. Pussies.

It's true. Stuart Schorr, Jaguar's main product PR man, told us flat out he expected the XFR would lose to the CTS-V, so it's not that he's afraid to lose to "Maximum" Bob Lutz.

Instead, they're afraid the XFR can't handle the strain. Specifically, the brakes. Without better brake cooling, Schorr tells us his folks are concerned the XFR just can't put the necessary laps in.

----------------------------------
Jaguar PR man's response:

Quote:

Ray, nice juvenile, but clever, use of the feline wordplay, but one correction on your missive. I said I was concerned that five hot laps without added brake cooling system could compromise the stopping power and thus create a safety concern for your driver. The car can handle it.

The CTS-V is probably the fastest car of the class on the track, whether its the best car of its class is a different matter. I wonder if your readers think the fastest on track car is the best car?

Good luck at Monticello.
Stuart

http://jalopnik.com/5391222

-----------------------------------
Bob Lutz's Reaction
Josh Oliver, The GM Source

Quote:

I think it means that the European high-performance sedans are excellent, even
superb cars, but quite possibly not ready for racing laps right out of the
show-room. The CTS-V is not only quicker, but will, in totally untweaked, stock
form, run hot laps at any race track until it runs out of fuel. Transmission oil and
diff oil temps are stable, engine oil temp doesn't go up, brakes get a bit more
pedal travel, but don't fade. The street tires get a tad greasy, but handling and
control remain excellent. "May the best car win"! (It wins automatically if the
competitors won't show up!)

Full text ]]> Global Cadillac News Buick61 http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/first-mercedes-now-jaguar-pulls-out-lutz-cts-v-challenge-lutz-responds-85483/ V-Series Challengers Announced http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/v-series-challengers-announced-85353/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:38:26 GMT Meet the V-Series Challengers – Preliminary List
Link to article

By David Caldwell
October 23, 2009

Quote:

It all started on a phone conference Bob Lutz had with some automotive journalists. A few of those car writers took up the challenge immediately to match up with the Cadillac CTS-V in a time trial competition. Then Bob extended the challenge for any and all competitive car owners to take on the Cadillac CTS-V at the Monticello Motor Club. And the entries came early and often, with about 120 challengers stepping forward. Now we’re narrowing down to those best suited for battle. We might still add 1-2 more competitors before it’s all said and done.

The group of challengers, as it stands now, includes a few auto journalists and several private car owners, reflecting a good range of different cars and experience levels. We think it’ll make for a well-rounded group.

Let’s meet the preliminary list of challengers. First up, the automotive writers:

Name: Wes Siler – Jalopnik.com
Wes is road test editor for Jalopnik, the first and to take us up on the Challenge. Wes is a skilled and experienced driver and evaluator of cars, especially the fast ones.

Name: Jack Baruth – TheTruthAboutCars.com
Jack will be representing TheTruthAboutCars.com in the Challenge. Jack’s an experienced racer, on two wheels and four. He hails from Columbus, Ohio.

Name: Lawrence Ulrich – freelance auto writer
Lawrence contributes to The New York Times and other publications. He drives all manner of cars regularly, and has some track driving experience though he’s careful to point out that his experience has been on a non-competitive basis.

Let’s meet the initial group private car owners:

Name: Michael M.
Hometown: Whitecoff, NJ
Michael is a graduate of the Porsche driving school and a contributor to carguydad.com. He owns a BMW M5.

Name: Michael C.
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Our second Michael has trained at Skip Barber. At just 21 years old, Michael is the younger driver in the Challenge. He owns a BMW M3.

Name: Chris
Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI
Chris has recently bought a CTS-V, and wants to learn more about his car’s capabilities.

Name: Tom
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Tom drives an Audi RS4, has participated in the Audi driving school at Sonoma and has also done some autocross racing.

]]> Global Cadillac News FenwickHockey65 http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/v-series-challengers-announced-85353/ New Cadillac Website http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/new-cadillac-website-85304/ Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:27:55 GMT Lots and lots new:

wwww23.cadillac.com

(Yes, 4 w's) ]]> Global Cadillac News megeebee http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f15/new-cadillac-website-85304/