Cadillac SLS joins portofolio in middle east

[750li]

this is my first thread in gmi
I hope its not a repost.



Cadillac SLS Joins Portfolio in Middle East
Middle East sales of SLS luxury sedan to begin in the first quarter of 2008; SLS is assembled at Shanghai GM's assembly plant

DETROIT- Cadillac announced that the SLS, the stretched version of the STS luxury sedan, will become available in the Middle East in the first quarter of 2008. The SLS is based on the STS sedan with additional design and engineering work, as well as manufacturing, taking place at Shanghai GM's state-of-the art facilities in Shanghai, China.

The SLS went on sale in China in March. The car has helped to boost overall Cadillac sales in China by 128 percent in the first nine months of 2007, compared to the same period in 2006.

"We're proud to bring the SLS to the Middle East market, where we believe it will be just as successful with luxury car consumers there as it has been in China," said Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor.

the rest...

[Sal Collaziano]

PRESS RELEASE:
Middle East sales of SLS luxury sedan to begin in the first quarter of 2008; SLS is assembled at Shanghai GM's assembly plant

DETROIT– Cadillac announced that the SLS, the stretched version of the STS luxury sedan, will become available in the Middle East in the first quarter of 2008. The SLS is based on the STS sedan with additional design and engineering work, as well as manufacturing, taking place at Shanghai GM's state-of-the art facilities in Shanghai, China.

The SLS went on sale in China in March. The car has helped to boost overall Cadillac sales in China by 128 percent in the first nine months of 2007, compared to the same period in 2006.

"We're proud to bring the SLS to the Middle East market, where we believe it will be just as successful with luxury car consumers there as it has been in China," said Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor.

Based on the STS luxury sedan, the SLS is stretched 100 mm. The additional length results in a luxurious and spacious interior with rear legroom of 1060 mm. The design of the SLS is unmistakably Cadillac. Diamond-faceted contours echo the geometry of other Cadillac vehicles. Subtle V-shapes, inspired by Cadillac's shield badge, are a recurring motif in both the exterior and interior design. In typical Cadillac fashion, the SLS interior design and fit and finish deliver an outstanding experience from any seat. Ambient lighting, Tuscany leather and sapele pommele wood accents all give the cabin a relaxing and premium look and feel.

Under the hood, the Northstar 4.6 liter V-8 engine produces 320 horsepower, giving the SLS outstanding performance. The six-speed automatic transmission is electronically-controlled. Magnetic Ride Control and StabilTrak, along with a sport suspension, deliver both a refined ride and responsive handling.

Cadillac vehicles are now assembled on three continents – North America, Europe, and Asia – all to the same exacting standards.

[mgescuro]

So there really really really really isn't anyway to provide additional side reinforcements on the SLS to bring it to the US?? Or no way to "plug and play" that interior into the STS???

[jlmartin99]

Greetings 750li,

Thanks for the update regarding the SLS and welcome to GMI. This is interesting news regarding the expansion of Cadillac's SLS model outside of China. I for one think this is a good development.

JLM

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

So there really really really really isn't anyway to provide additional side reinforcements on the SLS to bring it to the US?? Or no way to "plug and play" that interior into the STS???

I think the rear doors are longer than our version. This would mean redesigning the interior panel which would add huge costs to an already pricey proposition. The STS has only about 24 months life left to it, anyway.

[CobaltSScrazy]

SHOULD BE SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES! AGAIN NO S CLASS / 7 SERIES CAR = SECOND TIER LUXURY BRAND ...

sad but true. hopefully this is addressed by the time i have money to make THAT kind of purchase (10 years out?)

CobaltSScrazy

[PAULSTS1]

Originally Posted by megeebee

I think the rear doors are longer than our version. This would mean redesigning the interior panel which would add huge costs to an already pricey proposition. The STS has only about 24 months life left to it, anyway.

....But! The SLS is the only Cadillac selling in big numbers in China, wanted in the Middle East and soon to be asked for in Europe! Wake-up GM, fix it an sell it here. Use the freed up investment money to fix the DTS, and expand the CTS line, now!

[camaro_freak]

of course it is going there! Why not... great car

too bad GM NA is too stupid to bring it here... good grief

off topic, how does someone NEW to GMI get to post articles in the news area of the site right off the bat?

[377Z]

Wow. Looks much better proportioned than the STS.

HA!!! NA gets screwed again

[mcool]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

So there really really really really isn't anyway to provide additional side reinforcements on the SLS to bring it to the US?? Or no way to "plug and play" that interior into the STS???

Seriously.

[jonboy78]

Is it just the side impact rating that would hold this vehicle back from being sold here? Or is there a real life business case that would prevent it from hitting the streets?

[rsbaker]

I'm sure it will be popular with the Oil Sheiks. Only seems right for them to send back a little bit of the mountain of cash we send them everyday.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by 377Z

Wow. Looks much better proportioned than the STS.
HA!!! NA gets screwed again

Yeaaaaaaa... You don't know the half of it....

[Mikkoo]

The STS continues to be a non factor here in Europe. Doesn't provide an elegent
and rich enough interior, and the styling execution is not even close to
the newly released CTS, which comes here at the end of the year.
There is absolutely no compelling reason to buy the STS or SLS over
a BMW or Mercedes.
Let's see if the new CTS does better than the previous versions, which
were again a non factor here in Europe.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by Mikkoo

There is absolutely no compelling reason to buy the STS or SLS over
a BMW or Mercedes.
Let's see if the new CTS does better than the previous versions, which
were again a non factor here in Europe.

I wouldn't be too concerned. I don't think the STS/DTS replacement will be much of a factor in EUrope either.

I think a real BLS and CTS family will do much better in Europe -- assuming Cadillac ups the luxury and refinement in the CTS by MCE and the BLS is at the very least equivalent of the current CTS.