Only@GMI: Cadillac Zeta Car Rumored Dead

[The Law]

It's mostly still coming don't get your panties twisted.Gm does this all the time trying to throw off the public and automakers becuase they are so bad at getting the needed products to the road fast enough.if they didn't do this Toyota and hyundai would have model out before

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by FierySolstice

Motortrend reported that that the large Caddy was almost completed that the only thing GM had to do was to rework the headlights because they were too busy. I doubt they would cut it after doing all the work already.

Normally I would agree with you. But remember, GM stopped the "Ultra V8" engine project just as design and engineering were completed. It's a bitter thing for the designers, I'm sure. But if the companies money is judged to be better spent elsewhere, then that's what happens.

[Carguy]

Years ago I remember Lutz talking about flexable platforms in the future. Where they could use front--FIREWALL FORWARD--clips of a more premium design--DUBLE A ARMS--on a base--FIREWALL REARWARD structure. If this is true then useing the SIGMA front clip on ZETA could be used for a more premium CADILLAC/BUICK model. Then with that a likely name change of the structure would follow. I hope this is the case anyway!

[ChevyRules]

I can't support GM any longer if this turns out to be true and idiot decisions like this keep on being made. Ford or Honda will get my business.

[Lichtronamo]

Originally Posted by sigma

Considering they were going to import between 10-15,000 a year, especially with the sinking dollar making every sale significantly less profitable, I would say that it is meeting its albeit low expectations.

They wanted to import 30,000 to 50,000 G8s per year. July sales were 1,472 units and 7,742 units year-to-date (with the first 777 sales registered in March), which translates to an annual sales rate of approximately 19,000. I believe the 2008 model year was to be a short run of 18,000 units before the 2009 is brought on-line. GM also issued a $1,000 rebate on a car they are probably losing money selling. The bottom line is the G8 is shaping up to be a sales dud. Nothing wrong with the car - wrong product at the wrong time (again).

Back to the Cadillac Zeta, didn't the recent GM/CAW agreement address future Buick product being built along side the Camaro? The Lucerene may only be two years old, but its really an Olds Aurora version 2.0 riding an outdated FWD platform. Given that the Impala is supposed to stay at the same plant, this Buick could be FWD. But, I could see them going with a made-here version of the Chinese Park Avenue if only because of the minimal investment to do so vs. designing a CTS-like model for Cadillac. Perhaps their thinking is that the CTS is already 5-Series/E-Class sized and GM is focusing on the 3-Series/C-Class size Alpha platform?

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by sigma

Considering they were going to import between 10-15,000 a year, especially with the sinking dollar making every sale significantly less profitable, I would say that it is meeting its albeit low expectations.

I didn't know about that forecast. If this is the case, then I guess it's doing fairly well considering the market conditions of the day.

I love the design of the G8, by the way.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by Buick61

How can a true luxury automotive brand exist without a flagship? Imagine if Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, and Audi dropped plans for a new S, 7, LS, or 8.

Sigh. Sometimes I think GM should go out of business. It would save us a lot of heartache. Management of the last 35 years has almost completely destroyed any goodwill GM built up in the '20s-'60s. They just can't get it together, and it causes fans anguish and results in despair. If you lose the fans, who do you have left?

AMEN!

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by Lichtronamo

They wanted to import 30,000 to 50,000 units per year. July sales were 1,472 units and 7,742 units year-to-date (with the first 777 sales registered in March), which translates to an annual sales rate of approximately 19,000. I believe the 2008 model year was to be a short run of 18,000 units before the 2009 is brought on-line. GM also issued a $1,000 rebate on a car they are probably losing money selling. The bottom line is the G8 is shaping up to be a sales dud.

Well, if THIS is the case, then I retract my previous post.

Originally Posted by Lichtronamo

Back to the Cadillac Zeta, didn't the recent GM/CAW agreement address future Buick product being built along side the Camaro? The Lucerene may only be two years old, but its really an Olds Aurora version 2.0 riding an outdated FWD platform. Given that the Impala is supposed to stay at the same plant, this Buick could be FWD.

Wasn't that a reference to the new LaCrosse/ Invicta/ Whatever?

[bcjohnso99]

Originally Posted by mpsrent

While there is probably still a market for large cars, what GM really needs right now is a fleet of small and mid sized cars for the masses.

I agree.

In fact, with the current momentum of the market towards smaller cars, the CTS could very well become the largest sedan that will sell in volume. Tweaks to packaging would provide more interior room and continual improvements in quality of materials could easily turn it into a flagship while a suite of smaller Caddys fills in the price points below it.

[paul8488]

STS is a dud, so that means Caddy is the CTS, with a couple SUVs on the side. Great. THAT'S the standard of the world for sure!

[buildacariwant]

hyundia can find a way to build a large rwd V8 and GM cant? and GM/Cadillac/Buick already has a customer base? unbelievable...

[K Dawg ONE]

On the G8 sales in Canada note, as one of the largest PBG dealers in Ontario, we have only sold 2 (and one was to our Nissan store to someone getting out of a G-coupe).
We have like 20 2009s sitting on our lot and there they shall sit until, well, forever. $575/mo for 72mo @ 2.25% for base V6 doesnt go over too well with my customers....

[Lichtronamo]

Originally Posted by megeebee

Well, if THIS is the case, then I retract my previous post.



Wasn't that a reference to the new LaCrosse/ Invicta/ Whatever?

I thought the Lacrosse/Invicta was supposed to go to Kansas along with the now on-hold Aura/Insignia. (Seeing a pattern here...)

[AMcA]

Cadillac isn't a viable luxury leader unless it has a flagship.

They need to do a Zeta, but cut its weight to under 4000 lbs. Maybe use a bunch of aluminum? And give it a small V8 (a minimally bored and stroked small block, anyone?), with maybe a turbo derivative available.

CTSs are great, but they're not the stuff of dreams. Cadillac needs a car that inspires dreams.

[Lichtronamo]

The idea that GM doesn't have the money for mainstream products for a core brand like Cadillac is troubling. Putting all their money into the moonshot Volt, which will likely sell in money losing limited volumes assuming they get the technology right and it actually is a significant leap frog of the competition. I have my doubts.

GM needs to sell the Cobalt and Malibu at Corolla and Camry like volumes (and NO, I don't mean the cummulative total of badge engineered Delta and Epsilion models) to survive.