AutoNews: GM Wants Global Cadillac Look

[4gm]

"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."

This quote is funny to me because my biggest complaint about the new CTS is that the sides are too smooth.

[I-Love-Pontiac]

Originally Posted by page2171

Yep...definitely a rebadge...

Funny how the buick is cheaper and looks better. I cant wait till the DTS is out of here.

[tgagneguam]

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...

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

Shouldn't this characterize all of GM's divisions?: a consistent design across models within a division such that the family resemblance within the division is as obvious as the difference between divisions? All Buicks should be various iterations of the Enclave's design theme, which looks nothing like anything Cadillac or Saab offers. Chevrolet should likewise develop a family design theme such that it cannot be confused with Pontiac's but where an Aveo and a Malibu are instantly recognized as Chevrolets. Et cetera.

"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."

Funny, I rather like BMW and Mercedes designs for various reasons, and I'd consider neither theme slab-sided in appearance.

"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."

If you apply continuous improvement and refinement to every aspect of the car, then I'm with you, Lutz. Nothing wrong with constant improvement.

[2648562]

I'm glad Bob Lutz can rest easy now. But I always thought shoppers generally purchased the lesser priced item when choosing between the same look? You know, same look for less type thinking. I guess if they can get the STS a little closer looking to the CTS it'll sell better and be worth a lot more. Or if they can get yesterday's looking SRX or XLR just a little closer to what's hot today (and won't be three years from now--mark my words) they'll be successful. As it is now, I wouldn't know who builds the SRX if it wasn't for the emblems. I'll bet a lot of people at GM are relieved knowing they don't have to design the best looking car possible, just copy what's already out there. That's creative. That's gonna get Cadillac back on top. That's the American spirit. That won't ever get old.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Man I wish I ran Cadillac!!!

I wish you did too......and slotted me in as your #2 guy as well......we could 'git-r-done!' for sure

[AdmiralViscen]

Originally Posted by page2171

Yep...definitely a rebadge...

He's talking about interiors, genius. He's even said in this topic that Cadillac has their exteriors done properly.

[wildgoosechase]

Two words, "tail fins"

[stevecmh]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Oh... I dunnno....

ahhah
i would actually buy the Buick over the Caddy.. not just for the money savings but i think the Buick looks nicer on the outside.

nice to see changes taking place.. they should have happened along time ago

[TriShield]

Cadillacs don't already look pretty much the same across the globe inside and out? They sure fooled me.

GM should be more worried about mechanically separating and differentiating Cadillac from the rest of their brands.

[jlt0x]

It's nice that the GM captains realize they must have distinct products from their competitors. Now is the time they should really focus on making distinct designs between the GM brands.

Hopefully the next STS/DTS replacement will be as evolutionary as the new CTS. Cadillac has to really focus on a definite flagship sedan to display GM's vehicle production excellence. That one model can both define the future designs of the smaller, less expensive models and provide a permanent position in the luxury vehicle market.

[jry]

Originally Posted by AdmiralViscen

He's talking about interiors, genius. He's even said in this topic that Cadillac has their exteriors done properly.

Well, since the DTS was first, then the Lucerne is the rebadge.
Well, that settles that. And what a relief.
I think the DTS exterior is a little sharper. That Lucerne is nothing to be embarrassed about, though. We have 2 of our employees within our company have one. Both are of the "4 hole" variety. The quality is top notch. I am pretty sure neither one has had to go in for warranty work.

[Bravada]

Actually, Cadillacs have a very consistent look to me, as has been already said, only second to Hummer among GM brands for that. What Cadillac needs is a more "global" look that would appeal to customers beyond North America, as well as radically improve interior design quality.

The other comments worry me. Present-day Mercedes and BMWs are by no means slab-sided, "flame scuplting" is the fashion of the day, whether you like it or not. Audi goes for classy simplicity and understatement while perfecting the shape and form (hear it Buick?). BMWs and Audis arguably look better than ever today (with the opposite being true for Mercedes).

BTW, I'd love to see Lexus numbers too. Last time I've heard they were like 3-4 times behind Mercedes. That said, do remember they have the ES 350 in Japan.

[jlmartin99]

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.

Greetings mgescuro,

This is where styling and design marry in my view between the model designs, a well thought out direction for each model but always a connection. You can have an exotic style and designed luxury sports car like Cadillac's XLR or Aston Martin's Vantage. But the style and design theme is carried throughout the Aston Martin line up, though admittedly Aston Martin has a very limited line. A better example is Audi’s line of products in my view, a very consistent style and design theme throughout, from A3 to R8. Which is one of the reasons Audi styling is not my preference, though I did review the Audi S5 Coupe and I think that is the best looking Audi to date, but I am not a fan of the interior style and design.

And here in lies the risk with this approach in my view, in most cased for many buyers, it simply comes to the styling is recognizable of a particular brand. As long as it does not offend them, they are fine, they buy into the marketing and that is just fine. Not everyone cares or should care regarding the details of car designs. But at the same time, for most cars, the design does not energize passion; it just seems to not offend. That is where the trap for car designers awaits. How does the design team continue to improve its models with exciting and compelling designs without becoming homogenized and bland as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lexus and Jaguar has become over time today. You notice I did not include BMW, whom I think has done the very best at this, but happens not to be my most attractive design language today, I prefer others design themes over BMW today, but BMW design and styling is what it is and it is solid among all its models.

I think Mercedes-Benz has recognized this, and the new S Class is a perfect example of inspired style and design. Mercedes-Benz’s new CLS and CL are some of the most beautifully expressive car designs available today from Mercedes-Benz, simply wonderful. And to some degree the new C Class has improved their styling and design flair and keeping with a design connection between models. However, I would not say Mercedes-Benz has any better approach today than Cadillac, but it also is getting better in that regard for Mercedes-Benz as new models come to market.

All in all, this is another opportunity for Cadillac to exemplify superior styling and provide a consistent Cadillac design theme for all its models, sedans, coupes, sport cars, SUVs and Trucks. But I would hope Cadillac is very, very thoughtful not to loose the passion to execute bold, high style, impressive and some in cases exotic designs.

I have been drawn to Cadillac because of its bold styling, expressive design, performance, advance technology integration, comfort and luxury. That is Cadillac’s advantage today, a daring, bold, compelling styled luxury car that is distinctively Cadillac design. For me the CTS, STS, Escalade and XLR are its best examples of the bold, elegant and exotic designs from Cadillac, simply wonderful. As Cadillac brings out their next generation models, I look forward to that design connection.

JLM

[bone]

I love the exterior of the DTS and I believe it has a commanding presence on the road. I don't like the drivetrain,however,most people haven't a clue that it is FWD. The current stying of all Caddies is very good IMO. Agreed,the interiors should be more homogenius.

[ghughes]

Why do all cars in a brand have to look similar?, that is not what Sloane wanted, besides-
They had a style; art and science for the smaller cars, it really works well for the smaller caddys- then use the long 16 as your other template for the big car.

Keep the slades as they are, dont fool with their styling.

Then throw in big 1930,early 40's retro-models, cuv, big vert and sedan vert-phaeton; here are some inspirations - www.corrente-cadillac.com, allcads.com-
Do keep the interiors standardized;
For gods sakes do something with the dealerships.