Meet Your 2009 Cadillac Lineup

[ClassyEldo]

JLMartin99: Greetings! I am glad you found your XLR gathering to be exhilarating! It re-kindles my enthusiasm for the Cadillac brand, after these mostly insignificant model year enhancements depicted here. Of course, the XLR is receiving its first "makeover," albeit a rather minor one. For me, I can't wait to see the CTC in-person. Thank you for sharing your observations from your XLR gathering--I look forward to reading more about it!

[roteague]

I really hate that "corporate" steering wheel the DTS has (and by extension the Escalade/ESV/EXT have as well). I expect more from Cadillac. Surely, it can't be that difficult to replace, it would do wonders for those interiors and, in the case of the Escalade set them apart from the Chevy/GMC trucks.

[Astra RL]

I wish they would delete the base packages from all models and make the Luxury I package the base and add some more features to each at the top end.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by roteague

I really hate that "corporate" steering wheel the DTS has (and by extension the Escalade/ESV/EXT have as well). I expect more from Cadillac. Surely, it can't be that difficult to replace, it would do wonders for those interiors and, in the case of the Escalade set them apart from the Chevy/GMC trucks.

Yup.
I mentioned the steering wheel nonsense when the Gen3 Escalade launched.
The corporate steering wheel should stay away from Cadillac.

GM needs to figure out how to isolate Cadillac's parts bins from the rest of GM. A switch, gear, level, or wheel here and there will give Cadillacs a sense of being more unique than the rest of GM.

But GM doesn't give Cadillac all the weapons it needs to compete.
SO what can you do?
Just continue to expect Cadillac to be an OK Tier 2 or Tier 3 luxury brand... and you'll never be disappointed.

[asrapid]

Hi jlmartin.

Did you maybe ask something about replacement for DTS/STS and new small caddy?

[sdotjoe]

Is it me, or are the wheels and tires on the XLR a little weak???

[jlmartin99]

Originally Posted by asrapid

Hi jlmartin.

Did you maybe ask something about replacement for DTS/STS and new small caddy?

Hi asrapid,

Yes, there were several conversations on future products and the most certain was to DTS/STS and CTS Coupe. There was less conversation regarding an entry level model below the CTS, though it was mentioned it seem in plan but not as close in as the CTS Coupe.

But the really hot discussion was the price of gasoline and what impact that will have. Though that was the discussion among Cadillac members, it was not discussed to any great degree among Cadillac XLR owners.

My discussions were around specific Cadillac models, the STS, XLR and V Series and the lack of awareness of these wonderful cars. This is when Jim brought Kurt the marketing brand manager for DTS, Escalade and XLR to join our discussion. Effectively Cadillac’s overall marketing strategy is with new product announcements and key market models such as Cadillac’s Escalade and CTS. There is no current plan to create any new campaigns for TV for example for the XLR. In fact he used the XLR Rendezvous III as an example event that Cadillac will participate in to better target those luxury buyers interested in Cadillac.

I was not surprised by his comments and after this world preview of the 2009 Cadillac XLR event ended for the evening, Kurt and I continued our conversation at the hotel along with other interested parties. And we discussed everything from, dealerships to a Cien sports car, to S Class competitor to sales to globalization of the Cadillac brand.

JLM

[enzodually]

Hi JLM,

Could you tell us what you learned about these, particularly the S Class competitor, the Cien, and of course the DTS/STS replacement? Also, thanks for sharing all of your experiences! I had a 2004 XLR Xenon Blue/Cream and loved it. Not even once did I ever encounter another one on the road while driving it.

[jlmartin99]

Originally Posted by enzodually

Hi JLM,

Could you tell us what you learned about these, particularly the S Class competitor, the Cien, and of course the DTS/STS replacement? Also, thanks for sharing all of your experiences! I had a 2004 XLR Xenon Blue/Cream and loved it. Not even once did I ever encounter another one on the road while driving it.

Hi enzodually,

Conversations I had were very limited regarding Cadillac's Cien and S Class models. In Cien's case a very short lived conversation nothing being considered. Now I can only hope that as time moves forward I will get surprised with work being done in secret, but there was no indication of this in my conversations. I did make it clear that I would be one of the first orders if Cadillac decided to build this dream car.

S Class was a different case, that topic seem to have more possibilities, a model Cadillac must build, but it did appear from my conversation this model was not an immediate focus, but more in line for future consideration.

But clearly our conversations were focused on the new models coming into view within the next year. Cadillac's new 2009 XLR/XLR-V, CTS-V, 2010 CTS Coupe/CTS Coupe-V and Escalade Hybrid. I spent time discussing will the CTS Coupe be available to purchase, yes this time next year was the prediction.

After all concepts are wonderful to see and certainly Cadillac concepts have created some of world's most provocative designs seen to date that has materialized into a production model for purchase; as in Cadillac's XLR derived from the Cadillac Evoq Concept. And soon the Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept will come to life in the 2010 CTS Coupe. I was so impressed when I saw the Cadillac Evoq concept, and just as impressed with Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept this year.

For myself and I would think others at this event consider concepts again wonderful, but when can I buy one, is the heart of the matter for us.

I have mentioned in the past, I am not a truck or SUV fan per say. But my wife has been so impressed with the styling of Cadillac's Escalade that when Cadillac on the third day of our event displayed their entire line for 2009, she took the opportunity to review two Cadillac's Escalades, the Escalade Hybrid and Escalade Platinum. In my case I was a second row passenger in both rides and both are impressive vehicles. My preference would be the Cadillac Escalade Platinum however she preferred the ecology benefit of the Escalade Hybrid.

But in the end we decided to purchase the 2009 Cadillac XLR-V and we would prefer to take delivery on the new CTS Coupe, but the timing just may not work. But that still leaves some wonderful Cadillac models to select for purchase that meet my requirements and Cadillac's STS/STS-V and CTS-V Series remain the most attractive.


JLM

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by jlmartin99

to globalization of the Cadillac brand.

This in particular is of most interest to me.... particularly from a localization standpoint (changes to suspension, RHD/LHD, etc.), marketing, and various other product standpoints.

[emh]

Originally Posted by jlmartin99

Yes, there were several conversations on future products and the most certain was to DTS/STS and CTS Coupe.

JLM, thanks for sharing!

Was there any new info regarding future powertrains -- particularly the twin-turbo V6 or the future of Cadillac V8s (either from BMW or LS-derived)?

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by sdotjoe

Is it me, or are the wheels and tires on the XLR a little weak???

I don't like these much, either. The XLR is (was) such a clean and forceful design. The original wheels were much more in character.

[I-Love-Pontiac]

Lmao... the DTS is such an old man car.

[enzodually]

JLM,

Thanks to the wonderful docray1 we now know (or at least think we know) that the DTS/STS replacement is an entirely different program than the "ULS" S-class fighter. As you know he has told us that the ULS is dead, which is consistent with what it sounds like you heard at the XLR event, (DAMN IT!), and that the DTS/STS is still being reviewed. Did you perhaps get any info on this, the supposed, "DT7"? Being that it sounds like you are like me and are in the market for a new Cadillac sedan I'd think this future Cad would be of much interest to you. I recently rented a loaded CTS with the DI V6, pano roof, etc. for a week and then did the same with an STS, both 2008's and really wasn't all that impressed. I LOVE the styling of both and really want a Cadillac but they're still just a little bit too far behind MB and BMW in just about every way, (though I liked them more than the Audi's and Lexus's). If this "DT7" is definitely on its way and debuts in 2010 sometime it might be wise for you, and me, to find a bargain lease on something for two years and than purchase the DT7 when it finally arrives. Considering how old the STS and DTS are I'm still shocked that we even have to wait this long for a new full size Cadillac. If they would have spent the extra money to make the SLS they sell in China comply to U.S. laws they would have been fine making us wait for this new car, (have you seen that interior? its georgous!) but since they haven't they've lost me to Mercedes once again. When I turn this car in I'm going to be hoping and praying that the DT7 is a stunner and that they'll be a V-Series with a V-8 under the hood. If that twin turbo V-6 docray1 is telling us about is destined for the V-Series, then once AGAIN, even at $6 gallon, I'll probably be buying a Mercedes or BMW.

[jlmartin99]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

This in particular is of most interest to me.... particularly from a localization standpoint (changes to suspension, RHD/LHD, etc.), marketing, and various other product standpoints.

Hi mgescuro,

Conversations regarding Cadillac globalization took place initially the first evening with Jim commenting on the growth areas for the auto industry and how Cadillac is progressing its brand and key are Cadillac's new global design products that will take advantage to be applicable within the country Cadillac models are sold in. We did not talk specifically in regard to RH, LH, suspensions engines, transmissions and feature preference. However we discuss the high growth markets for Cadillac in Russia, South America , India and China. I asked what his view of Europe and the East and West Coasts of the U.S. in regard to opportunities where Cadillac can grow its share. His comments were as to reasons were different, but the viewed on these markets would be long term and difficult to increase Cadillac’s share. He commented on Lexus’s presence in Europe, their efforts and their results and then we changed this market discussion to China where Buick is well received and Cadillac is a luxury brand of desire and both growing in a very competitive but growing market.


Mgescuro on a side note, in my experience with auto companies and luxury brands in particular, I have never heard of senior executives along with the marketing, sales, engineering, design, builders and technicians making themselves available to their customers at an owner event as the Cadillac team has during the XLR Rendezvous III. And what was so impressive was how this broad group of talented people were so passionate and knowledgeable in responding to our questions, complaints and suggestions. It was open and quite frankly, refreshing to experience the interaction first hand. Every night during this event I closed the hotel bar at 2:00am just talking cars and Cadillac with Kurt (Cadillac Marketing), Allen (Cadillac Dealership Executive Sales/XLR) and Bruce (Cadillac XLR Technical Service Rep).

I was very positive regarding Cadillac prior to attending this XLR event and left convinced no other luxury brand delivers the attention and demonstrates care for its customers as Cadillac.


JLM