AutoNews: GM Wants Global Cadillac Look

megeebee · 12-07-2007, 02:30 PM

Lutz: GM wants global Cadillac look

Rick Kranz

Automotive News | December 3, 2007 - 12:01 am EST

LOS ANGELES — The mission for Cadillac's first global head of styling is simple: Create a bold American design that draws inspiration from the current theme and make that design consistent across all models.

Although Clay Dean will be based in suburban Detroit, General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said Dean will be able to use resources at Cadillac's Advanced Styling Studio in the United Kingdom and GM's Advanced Design Studio in California.

"While he will not be in charge of these studios, Dean will be able to draw on design talent," Lutz said last month at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The first vehicle that will represent Dean's influence is expected to be a large sedan arriving around 2011. It will be developed on GM's global rear-drive vehicle architecture.

"Back in the old days, I don't think we had quite enough internal design consistency between, say, a CTS, an STS or a DTS," said Lutz. "One of Clay's objectives is going to be to make sure that we have a very consistent, unique and very advanced Cadillac design signature on everything that is Cadillac."

Lutz said Dean also needs to make sure Cadillac is distinct from other luxury cars and other General Motors products.

"We cannot compete effectively if Cadillac is one more iteration of the smooth, slab-sided sort of BMW, Mercedes, Acura, Lexus appearance," Lutz said. "We have to be distinctive and got to be boldly American, but in a very good way."

Lutz said he does not expect a radical departure from the Cadillac style seen today.

"The character has to remain consistent over time," he said. "We will keep refining it and refreshing it in the way that the current CTS is very clearly related to the last CTS but is a much bolder design."

Dean, 46, previously had been GM design director for small and mid-sized cars since 2004. Among the designs he led were the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky, Saturn Aura and the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. He was named to this new position this summer.

Source: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...plate=printart

**mgescuro** · 12-07-2007, 02:35 PM

Gee... I've only been talking about "Styling consistencies" FOREVER!!!
Man I wish I ran Cadillac!!!

MrMax · 12-07-2007, 03:17 PM

Right. Hopefully they'll stick to the game plan with Chevy having a global look. And giving Pontiac some consistency as well.

Slideways · 12-07-2007, 03:20 PM

Hmmm, I thought they were already doing a good job at that. The only GM brand that has more consistent styling than the curent Cadillac lineup has got to be Hummer.

K Dawg ONE · 12-07-2007, 03:39 PM

Booo...i dont wanna sign up for autonews (call me cheap lol)

domijj · 12-07-2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K Dawg ONE

Booo...i dont wanna sign up for autonews (call me cheap lol)

I don't blame you; I used to subscribe, but you can find most of that news on the net..LOL

**mgescuro** · 12-07-2007, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slideways

Hmmm, I thought they were already doing a good job at that. The only GM brand that has more consistent styling than the curent Cadillac lineup has got to be Hummer.

Having only 2 cars helps.

Cadillac is doing horrible job at styling consistencies. I mean, they can't even standardize on the look of the clock... if it even has a clock to begin with!

BLS and SRX have a similar style. STS/SLS and Escalade have a similar style. DTS is a rebadge. CTS is one thing. XLR is another.

ericmvest · 12-07-2007, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Gee... I've only been talking about "Styling consistencies" FOREVER!!!
Man I wish I ran Cadillac!!!

If you think Cadillac has styling inconsistencies, you must really think Lexus has styling inconsistencies. What ties the IS, EX, RX, GS, and LS Lexus series together? Not much, but oddly, at least in America Lexus is successful. They are not successful in Europe and not really successful in their home market. Last I heard, the German luxury cars out sell Lexus in Japan.

DuSpinnst · 12-07-2007, 04:07 PM

Well this is a no brainer, and GM has been working slowely toward this anyway. See the 2007 lineup (before the new CTS).

GM lover · 12-07-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericmvest

If you think Cadillac has styling inconsistencies, you must really think Lexus has styling inconsistencies. What ties the IS, EX, RX, GS, and LS Lexus series together? Not much, but oddly, at least in America Lexus is successful. They are not successful in Europe and not really successful in their home market. Last I heard, the German luxury cars out sell Lexus in Japan.

Cadillac's exterior styling is very consistent, you can easily spot a Cadillac and Cadillac does this without having all there cars looking the same like Lexus. Also, recently Lexus' sales in Japan have overtaken BMW and Mercedes.

**mgescuro** · 12-07-2007, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericmvest

If you think Cadillac has styling inconsistencies, you must really think Lexus has styling inconsistencies. What ties the IS, EX, RX, GS, and LS Lexus series together? Not much, but oddly, at least in America Lexus is successful. They are not successful in Europe and not really successful in their home market. Last I heard, the German luxury cars out sell Lexus in Japan.

Lexus actually design cues that span their entire line for the most part. Take a look at their center stack. They put the command buttons on either side of the screen. Look at their vents. They're similar. They all use gated shifters.

If you look at the Cadillacs, only CTS, STS/SLS have vertical vents.
SRX and BLS have this aluminum trim bezel. (STS and SLS have something similar.
STS and XLR don't have a clock.
Cadillac uses a different shifter in the BLS, DTS, XLR, and Escalade.

But... the exteriors are pretty much inline. Though they can better standardize the grilles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GM lover

Also, recently Lexus' sales in Japan have overtaken BMW and Mercedes.

Oh they HAVE?????

I find that sooooo incredibly hard to believe that they would overtake Mercedes so fast.

You have a link?

jry · 12-07-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Having only 2 cars helps.

Cadillac is doing horrible job at styling consistencies. I mean, they can't even standardize on the look of the clock... if it even has a clock to begin with!

BLS and SRX have a similar style. STS/SLS and Escalade have a similar style. DTS is a rebadge. CTS is one thing. XLR is another.

What is the DTS a rebadge of?

**mgescuro** · 12-07-2007, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jry

What is the DTS a rebadge of?

Oh... I dunnno....

page2171 · 12-07-2007, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Oh... I dunnno....

Yep...definitely a rebadge...

RedVee8 · 12-07-2007, 05:36 PM

I thought they already had a "Cadillac look".

12-07-2007, 02:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
megeebee 5.3 Liter LS4 V8 Join Date: Feb 2005 Drives: 2005 CTS 3.6 Posts: 3,398	AutoNews: GM Wants Global Cadillac Look Lutz: GM wants global Cadillac look Rick Kranz Automotive News \| December 3, 2007 - 12:01 am EST LOS ANGELES — The mission for Cadillac's first global head of styling is simple: Create a bold American design that draws inspiration from the current theme and make that design consistent across all models. Although Clay Dean will be based in suburban Detroit, General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said Dean will be able to use resources at Cadillac's Advanced Styling Studio in the United Kingdom and GM's Advanced Design Studio in California. "While he will not be in charge of these studios, Dean will be able to draw on design talent," Lutz said last month at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The first vehicle that will represent Dean's influence is expected to be a large sedan arriving around 2011. It will be developed on GM's global rear-drive vehicle architecture. "Back in the old days, I don't think we had quite enough internal design consistency between, say, a CTS, an STS or a DTS," said Lutz. "One of Clay's objectives is going to be to make sure that we have a very consistent, unique and very advanced Cadillac design signature on everything that is Cadillac." Lutz said Dean also needs to make sure Cadillac is distinct from other luxury cars and other General Motors products. "We cannot compete effectively if Cadillac is one more iteration of the smooth, slab-sided sort of BMW, Mercedes, Acura, Lexus appearance," Lutz said. "We have to be distinctive and got to be boldly American, but in a very good way." Lutz said he does not expect a radical departure from the Cadillac style seen today. "The character has to remain consistent over time," he said. "We will keep refining it and refreshing it in the way that the current CTS is very clearly related to the last CTS but is a much bolder design." Dean, 46, previously had been GM design director for small and mid-sized cars since 2004. Among the designs he led were the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky, Saturn Aura and the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. He was named to this new position this summer. Source: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...plate=printart __________________ "Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia " (Charles Schultz)

12-07-2007, 02:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
mgescuro GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 23,634	Re: AutoNews: GM Wants Global Cadillac Look Gee... I've only been talking about "Styling consistencies" FOREVER!!! Man I wish I ran Cadillac!!! __________________ 2000 Saab 9-5 Aero 1995 Mercedes C280 1994 Jaguar XJ6 ...when all hope is gone, you know sad songs say so much... My Vision of Cadillac My Vision of Cadillac (REDUX)

12-07-2007, 03:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
MrMax 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 766	Re: AutoNews: GM Wants Global Cadillac Look Right. Hopefully they'll stick to the game plan with Chevy having a global look. And giving Pontiac some consistency as well. __________________

12-07-2007, 03:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Slideways 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 935	Re: AutoNews: GM Wants Global Cadillac Look Hmmm, I thought they were already doing a good job at that. The only GM brand that has more consistent styling than the curent Cadillac lineup has got to be Hummer.

12-07-2007, 03:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
K Dawg ONE 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Windsor, ON, Canada Drives: 1995 Jimmy 2wd 4door (Envoy-fronted, Caddy-tail'd) Posts: 430	Re: AutoNews: GM Wants Global Cadillac Look Booo...i dont wanna sign up for autonews (call me cheap lol)

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12-07-2007, 04:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
DuSpinnst Starship Enterpise Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 17,206	Re: AutoNews: GM Wants Global Cadillac Look Well this is a no brainer, and GM has been working slowely toward this anyway. See the 2007 lineup (before the new CTS). __________________ The moderation here gets an F for FAILURE.

12-07-2007, 05:36 PM	#15 (permalink)
RedVee8 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Rosemeadow, NSW Australia Drives: 1984 Holden VH Commodore Vacationer 253 V8 2006 A Posts: 1,532	Re: AutoNews: GM Wants Global Cadillac Look I thought they already had a "Cadillac look". __________________ RedVee8 Current Holdens. VH Commodore Vacationer 253 V8; AH Astra CDX 1.8; CG Captiva LX 3.2V6 (work). Previous Holdens. 1969 HT Kingswood 186; 1975 HJ Premier 202; 1977 TC Gemini; 1985 JD Camira SL/E 1.8i Keep Holden On.

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