Cadillac CTS Has Fans in Japan

[AMERICA 123]

Cadillac CTS Has Fans in Japan
February 21, 2008
By Peter Nunn

News that will come as a welcome fillip for the team at General Motors: Cadillac's new CTS has landed in Japan and has been earning rave reviews after the first media drives...........

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.....................Japan's CTS crosses the Pacific with two engine choices — 2.8-liter V6 (211 bhp) and 3.6-liter V6 (307 bhp). It also comes with standard rear-wheel drive, left-hand steering and 6-speed auto.

Yes, it's true LHD has long had a certain cachet within the upper echelons of Japan's small but lucrative import market.
But Japan is an RHD market and the LHD cool factor is no longer nearly as strong as it was. Thus, a right-hook CTS will come to Japan with the 2009 model year this fall.

The 2.8 enters the fray, strategically priced below the ¥5 million barrier at ¥4.95 million (some $45,900); the 3.6 is in the catalog at ¥6.2 million ($57,470).............

............In Japan, the CTS sticker also straddles both the BMW 3 and 5-Series segments and Mercedes C and E-Class. ..................

.........................Down in Yokohama, Japan's media could only drive the top spec 3.6 CTS but the car's crisp, polished dynamics, comfort, style and impressive performance soon won it many friends.

The previous CTS was good but this new model was something else again.

One long-established Japanese journalist (a former Cadillac owner, no less) was even moved to rate it as the "the best Cadillac ever..."

High praise indeed and it's also worth remembering the CTS is well suited to Japan because of its relatively compact size — space always being at a premium in Japan. Full-size Cadillacs have their fans and created the Cadillac lore in Japan but the CTS is far better suited to the nitty-gritty of everyday driving. ...........................

..................Still, one big factor and huge commercial advantage GM has in Japan is its longtime links with the Yanase dealer network.

Yanase's connection with GM stretches all the way back to 1915 when it began importing the first Buicks and Cadillacs.

To walk into a Yanase showroom has been likened to entering a prime fashion or jewelry store. The level of customer service is legendary, just as the level of trust engendered in the Yanase 'brand' is something other franchises would kill for.

GM, however, took over as official importer some five years ago and today has its own independent dealer network as well as Yanase's to cover Japan..........................

http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/02/...s-in.html#more

[Strapping.Young.Lad]

Japan loves american culture.

[AMERICA 123]

Also of note. Imports above 56,120?$ (usa dollars) are kicking the home team's ass over there especially Lexus - I think imports in that segment were up something like 23% plus for the debacle that was calender? year 2007.

Oh, and ummm, My Vision of Cadillac includes owning 20% plus of that segment by 2011 at the latest.

This is worth doing and is one of the few segments you can still make money in over there This segment is also holding up and then some volume wise.


Go GM.

[EldoFan]

Holy ****........

[Mikejesmike]

Originally Posted by FordRules

Japan loves american culture.

You know I've wondered about that. I guess it's because we're the first nation to beat them at war. Maybe they think any nation capable of beating them is worth looking up to. I don't know. Like you beat us now you will get a lot of our respect and admiration.

[Sal Collaziano]

This is nice to hear. I wonder how Cadillac will be lined up against Lexus there.. The CTS is truly an amazing car...

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Winters cityside
Crystal bits of snowflakes all around my head and in the wind
I had no illusions
That Id ever find a glimps of summers heatwaves in your eyes
You did what you did to me, now its history I see
Heres my comeback on the road again
Things will happen while they can
I will wait here for my man tonight, its easy when your big in japan

When your big in japan, tonight
Big in japan, be tight, big in japan where the eastern seas so blue
Big in japan, alright, pay, then Ill sleep by your side
Things are easy when youre big in japan, when youre big in japan

Neon on my naked skin
Passing silhouettes of strange illuminated mannequins
Shall I stay here at the zoo
Or shall I go and change my point of view for other ugly scenes
You did what you did to me, now its history I see...
Things will happen while they can
I will wait here for my man tonight, its easy when youre big in japan

[masrapido]

Didn't we have a thread not long that descended into discussion of Japanese bias towards imports?

[steve333]

Originally Posted by Mikejesmike

You know I've wondered about that. I guess it's because we're the first nation to beat them at war. Maybe they think any nation capable of beating them is worth looking up to. I don't know. Like you beat us now you will get a lot of our respect and admiration.

Thats not it, it was how well we treated them after we won. Japan was ruthless in war and to our prisoners. The Japanese got a firsthand lesson in class from how well we treated them and helped rebuild their country. Its the main reason Japan became so civil afterwards.

[GM-Joe]

The Japanese people would love to be have products from around the world, just as American's do, but a 50% jump in sticker for the CTS or other imports from Benz and Bimmer is going to halt any market share gains. And to tell you the truth, I would like to be able to have the piece of mind, should I ever buy a new vehicle, to buy something from Asia, Europe, or anywhere else; but I don't, supporting American jobs is too important here. The U.S. government allows countries like Japan to put high tariff's on imports and devalue their currency just to protect jobs in their respective countries, yet the U.S. government cares nothing about their own. Thus I feel bad for the Japanese youth who refuse to drive Toyoda's and buy electronic equipment instead and I feel bad for the UAW folks that were used to a middle class living and now are relegated to Walmart and Taco Bell; for paychecks and birthdays. It is a shame...

[stevecmh]

Originally Posted by FordRules

Japan loves american culture.

its true
they also love muscle cars..

[YupYupYup]

If the CTS can gain fans and accolades in a very conservative and nationalistic car market like Japan, then it proves it really is a world car. To all the other nations that discount it for its "American design," be careful...This article is proof it can win over even the most ardent of "it won't work here...for American tastes" purveyors.

Japanese article/ journalists? Wow, even I am a little taken aback.

[YupYupYup]

Originally Posted by steve333

Thats not it, it was how well we treated them after we won. Japan was ruthless in war and to our prisoners. The Japanese got a firsthand lesson in class from how well we treated them and helped rebuild their country. Its the main reason Japan became so civil afterwards.

Most of the Japanese know this and why they like visiting the U.S. and befriending Americans. The cultures don't always see everything the same way but they are much friendlier with us than the Chinese or Koreans. Even the Japanese do not have good relations with the Chinese or Koreans, who berate them and beat the war rhetoric from time-to-time.

P.S. The Japanese will not always show or admit their passion for American things; it is just their way. A bit of national pride (the country is thousands of years old) and just their style.

[redimpss5]

I will say it once, I will say it a million times!!! Smart people know what cars are better than others! Why is GM selling so well worldwide, but poor here? Dumb Azz.

[YupYupYup]

Originally Posted by redimpss5

I will say it once, I will say it a million times!!! Smart people know what cars are better than others! Why is GM selling so well worldwide, but poor here? Dumb Azz.

It's interesting to note that the media in the U.S. is probably more biased against U.S. cars than the media in Japan. In Japan, they are very nationalistic and that is reflected in the media...But they also have a special interest in Ameican culture, which sometimes translates into very fanatical owners...and the Japanese media do not deride them for being this way.