AutoNews: Small Cadillac and Future Plans...

[aldw]

A 9-3 needs to be FWD/AWD to work, RWD is best left for Caddy et al.

[chaseabryant]

Originally Posted by aldw

A 9-3 needs to be FWD/AWD to work, RWD is best left for Caddy et al.

That I totally agree with, Saab shouldn't be touching RWD.

-Chase

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by pete4280

I know this is a stupid question. But if Cadillac builds a CTS wagon will it be built on the same assembly line as the 4 door model?

Yes. The Lansing, Michigan "Grand River" plant. It is the only plant capable of building Sigma platform product. CTS, STS, and SRX. I believe SRX will be discontinued by the time the CTS wagon begins production, though.

[Bravada]

1. Alfa Romeo 159 is widely regarded as at least equal to BMW 3er in driving experience, even in spite of being relatively fat (due to Premium Epsilon issues) and, btw, FWD or AWD. Actually, Saab could've had its own Alfa 159, the plan was to share this platform like in the good old days...

2. Either you are as good as BMW or not in the same league. I don't believe in different steps of discounting - either an outright "bargain basement BMW" (Pontiac) or an equal competitor. I don't think Cadillac has either the capabilities or, more importantly, the image, to pull off the latter, and building a so-so car just to hold a place in the market is not a good strategy IMHO. Once Cadillac will be established as a luxury make on par with the traditional big boys, the may think of expanding into different market niches, but otherwise it's spreading thin.

3. Saab would surely work in the US too, at least as good as a Cadillac, if it was a really good car, had a big ad budget (which I don't doubt GM will need to and will give the Alpha Cadillac) and had a better dealer network (I believe every Cadillac dealer should carry Saabs).

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

Actually PT may live. I just got word that the JZ (PT's successor) has been **** canned.

I don't know what to make of it - I am happy there will be no "Chrysler Trip", but then I don't think they will be able to come up with a new PT sooner than in two years, and the car is already long in the tooth...

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by Bravada

I don't know what to make of it - I am happy there will be no "Chrysler Trip", but then I don't think they will be able to come up with a new PT sooner than in two years, and the car is already long in the tooth...

I don't think they wil update it. Just ride it out until they can't sell anymore then kill it.

[yello430]

Originally Posted by pete4280

I know this is a stupid question. But if Cadillac builds a CTS wagon will it be built on the same assembly line as the 4 door model?

Not a stupid question . Yes the wagon will be built on the same line .

[Bravada]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

I don't think they wil update it. Just ride it out until they can't sell anymore then kill it.

So, it might last until Chrysler's own end

[chaseabryant]

Originally Posted by Bravada

2. Either you are as good as BMW or not in the same league. I don't believe in different steps of discounting - either an outright "bargain basement BMW" (Pontiac) or an equal competitor. I don't think Cadillac has either the capabilities or, more importantly, the image, to pull off the latter, and building a so-so car just to hold a place in the market is not a good strategy IMHO. Once Cadillac will be established as a luxury make on par with the traditional big boys, the may think of expanding into different market niches, but otherwise it's spreading thin.

Where do you see Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, etc. fitting into a picture like this. Aren't they right at that level that Cadillac is fitting into? They sure aren't MB/BMW.... and pricing isn't quite there.

-Chase

[Bravada]

Lexus is trying very hard to be seen as being in the same league as the German Trinity, and they are succeeding at that. That said, before they introduced the Altezza, they have first amassed recognition with the LS, and later GS. That said, IS's sales are still a far cry from the 3er's, C-Klasse's or A4's.

Acura, on the other hand, lost the plot sometime in between, about the time they've dropped names for alphanumerics (I know they've had to commit a sort-of harakiri to apologize for calling a car "Vigor" outside of Japan). I believe Buick will do a good job of being a better Acura when it comes to "neater standard cars", with Pontiac offering at least as good "fun to drive" cars.

Infiniti was indeed rebuilt on the G-series, but behind it are five decades of the Prince, and later Nissan Skyline.

Anyhoo, I believe the mid-lux market should be left to Buick - just like Toyota, Lexus, Acura and Infiniti build better Buicks today, Buick can build better Avalons, ES's, RL's and Q45's tomorrow. The only sensible thing for Cadillac is aim for the top - and hit it. But you cannot get to heaven through the kitchen door.

[schmallz]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Example?



The 3er is a midsize car - just a very small one. The so-called "compact executives" are effectively premium midsize cars.

WHAT?

1 Series: Sub-Compact
3 Series: Compact
5 Series: Mid Size
7 Series: Full Size

ATS: Sub-Compact (yeah I'm a dreamer)
BTS: Compact
CTS: Mid Size
DTS: Full Size

Tell me that there is a 300-350hp BTC coming out and I will put the money down now!

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Lexus is trying very hard to be seen as being in the same league as the German Trinity, and they are succeeding at that. That said, before they introduced the Altezza, they have first amassed recognition with the LS, and later GS. That said, IS's sales are still a far cry from the 3er's, C-Klasse's or A4's.

Yes they are. And in Europe, they sell about 8x what Cadillac sells.
Cadillac isn't "trying hard enough."

[Bravada]

Originally Posted by schmallz

WHAT?

1 Series: Sub-Compact
3 Series: Compact
5 Series: Mid Size
7 Series: Full Size

ATS: Sub-Compact (yeah I'm a dreamer)
BTS: Compact
CTS: Mid Size
DTS: Full Size

Tell me that there is a 300-350hp BTC coming out and I will put the money down now!

The 1er is about the same size of the Golf, which is the benchmark for the compact class. The 5er is an executive car - i.e. larger than "intermediate".

Yes they are. And in Europe, they sell about 8x what Cadillac sells.
Cadillac isn't "trying hard enough."

For sure they aren't, but if Lexus should serve as any sort of guidance, Caddy should begin by offering a really great luxury sedan, not a compact executive.