Cadillac CTS Has Fans in Japan

[unkillsam]

Originally Posted by Butz

No I don't. I LUST for the CTS. I'd take it over any Lexus, even the big one

Well, let's put it this way. If Apple can make itself cool with product, then so can GM.

I would bet you $100 bucks that if GM build the Beat, Groove, or Trax (it doesn't matter which one) to sell in Japan (RHD of course) and put all the technological gizmo's in it that the Japanese market demands, they would be fully capable of moving that car into the top 10 list of models sold in that country.

Japanese love american styling. They also demand more technology in their cars then the average american, and also demand a lot more fuel efficiency.

[Butz]

Originally Posted by unkillsam

Well, let's put it this way. If Apple can make itself cool with product, then so can GM.

I would bet you $100 bucks that if GM build the Beat, Groove, or Trax (it doesn't matter which one) to sell in Japan (RHD of course) and put all the technological gizmo's in it that the Japanese market demands, they would be fully capable of moving that car into the top 10 list of models sold in that country.

Japanese love american styling. They also demand more technology in their cars then the average american, and also demand a lot more fuel efficiency.

In plenty of Japanese Anime I've seen, Cadillacs do show up in them. Not as much as Mercedes or BMW, but nonetheless. Mind you they were either stretched Devilles, Escalades or Pink Eldorados like the following:

[unkillsam]

If the Astro and 4,000 lbs Cadillacs could maintain a cult following in Japan, imagine what an American styled micro-car could do.

I am telling you, GM could sell a bundle.

[Butz]

Originally Posted by unkillsam

If the Astro and 4,000 lbs Cadillacs could maintain a cult following in Japan, imagine what an American styled micro-car could do.

I am telling you, GM could sell a bundle.

The thing is the Japanese already have their cool Kei-cars, GM need to bring something that would really make a difference.
Something like the iPod. The iPod hit the Walkman hard, but not just the Walkman, the iPod started the current portable media revolution.
Can the Beat, if went into production, be the iPod of the car industry, that's to be seen.

[unkillsam]

Originally Posted by Butz

The thing is the Japanese already have their cool Kei-cars, GM need to bring something that would really make a difference.
Something like the iPod. The iPod hit the Walkman hard, but not just the Walkman, the iPod started the current portable media revolution.
Can the Beat, if went into production, be the iPod of the car industry, that's to be seen.

No it would not be at the same level as the Ipod because it is hard to be revolutionary in the auto industry.

That being said, most of the pictures of Kei cars that I see posted on line look like appliances.

The closest things that we see in America to JDM cars are the Fit, Yaris, xD, and stuff similar to that correct?

Styling wise, the GM triplets blow them all out of the water.

[mbukukanyau]

This has nothing to do with the Japanese. Its a Human pheomenon..
Everyone loves a good thing

[Butz]

Originally Posted by unkillsam

No it would not be at the same level as the Ipod because it is hard to be revolutionary in the auto industry.

That being said, most of the pictures of Kei cars that I see posted on line look like appliances.

The closest things that we see in America to JDM cars are the Fit, Yaris, xD, and stuff similar to that correct?

Styling wise, the GM triplets blow them all out of the water.

Not all Kei-cars are boring some of them are cool mid-engine 2-seaters, like the Honda Beat, but that was way back in the 90s.
Now the coolest of them is the Daihatsu Copen, a FWD roadster.

Know the competition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Kei_cars

[unkillsam]

Beat, Groove, and Trax all look better then this.



And this.


And this one too.

[Bolex]

In Japan if you want to look classy, and have the money to show it, you either go German or American. Ask my girl, there parents were associated with Nissan, but her Dad drove a Buick. and this was BITD the 80's.

looks cool since all the cars are tiny A class cars. the Scion XB is a decent size SUV to them, so when you roll up in a Cadi,Buick,Lincoln..people stare in amazement. although, White Mercedes' are driven by Yakuza, so you gotta be careful cuttin off those guys.

i just came from the Japanese Mall last week here in SF and checked out the car mags and there were a few that were just of American cars and the other all Jeep. its really the same here where people are infatuated with anything other than US products.

[Bolex]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

This has nothing to do with the Japanese. Its a Human pheomenon..
Everyone loves a good thing

nope. theres people that want a 'different' thing. something that not everyone can get.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by unkillsam

Well, let's put it this way. If Apple can make itself cool with product, then so can GM.

It is not in GM's nature to be "cool."
GM builds cars to fit a balance sheet.

CTS might have fans in Japan, but don't expect CTS to sell more than 100 in Japan. Even when they finally sell a RHD version.

[unkillsam]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

It is not in GM's nature to be "cool."
GM builds cars to fit a balance sheet.

CTS might have fans in Japan, but don't expect CTS to sell more than 100 in Japan. Even when they finally sell a RHD version.

If GM built all cars to fit a balance sheet then the CTS would never have been built.

1. Expensive "unique to Cadillac chassis.
2. Expensice DOHC DI engine
3. Expensive interior upgrades.

GM does have to build some cars to a price point, but Bob Lutz is working to restore the design to GM cars.

And if the Japanese can think that the Chevy Astro, a vehicle that most IPod listening youth in America would never be caught dead in, then some good old fashioned American styling in smaller cars like the Gamma triplets will sell like gangbusters in Japan.

[mbukukanyau]

I think by the time GM builds the Trax, beat or Groove, China will have their Version, Korea too, and Japan too..
To most Asians, it will seem like GM is the copy cat. But, Asia loves Xeroxed stuff.. so they will buy it in droves

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by unkillsam

If GM built all cars to fit a balance sheet then the CTS would never have been built.

1. Expensive "unique to Cadillac chassis.
2. Expensice DOHC DI engine
3. Expensive interior upgrades.

GM does have to build some cars to a price point, but Bob Lutz is working to restore the design to GM cars.

And if the Japanese can think that the Chevy Astro, a vehicle that most IPod listening youth in America would never be caught dead in, then some good old fashioned American styling in smaller cars like the Gamma triplets will sell like gangbusters in Japan.

And if GM really, truly cared about getting the CTS out the door, it wouldn't have been brought out with cut corners. CTS Coupe's interior is what should be available in CTS Sedan now. And we all know the Coupe's interior will not make production. Specific interior enhancements will never make it into any GM car becuase they are seen as frivolous. That would never happen at a car company intent on building "cool cars."
The difference is subtle, but the difference is there.

GM will never make a dent in the Japanese market because 1) The market for American cars is small, 2) GM doesn't make "cool" cars to attract the Japanese cusomter -- many intent on customization and cool gadgets, 3) GM has no belief in RHD cars, 4) GM's luxury cars aren't good enough to enter the Japanese market, 5) GM's dealership base is a joke, 6) GM's never been willing, and will never be willing to spend the billions necessary to establish themselves in Japan.

[unkillsam]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

And if GM really, truly cared about getting the CTS out the door, it wouldn't have been brought out with cut corners. CTS Coupe's interior is what should be available in CTS Sedan now. And we all know the Coupe's interior will not make production. Specific interior enhancements will never make it into any GM car becuase they are seen as frivolous. That would never happen at a car company intent on building "cool cars."
The difference is subtle, but the difference is there.

GM will never make a dent in the Japanese market because 1) The market for American cars is small, 2) GM doesn't make "cool" cars to attract the Japanese cusomter -- many intent on customization and cool gadgets, 3) GM has no belief in RHD cars, 4) GM's luxury cars aren't good enough to enter the Japanese market, 5) GM's dealership base is a joke, 6) GM's never been willing, and will never be willing to spend the billions necessary to establish themselves in Japan.

The moment the CTS debuted I believe you were the one that was saying that the CTS is what all Cadillacs should be like.

Now the CTS is not good enough. What is good enough? When will a car that is priced around $35,000 be good enough for you?