Exotic Caddy Supercar a Go, Again?

[CaymanS]

During an interview with David Sedgwick of Automotive News, Bob Lutz, GM's vice chairman, revealed that plans to offer a Cadillac in the $150,000 to $180,000 realm are still on the table. Although production of the 2003 Sixteen concept has come up in previous conversations, within GM, it has always been more of a styling exercise, built to influence future Caddy designs. That said, the General has researched the idea and came away impressed with the business case.

[Source: Autoblog via Automotive News]

Continued- Article

http://thecarblogger.blogspot.com/20...-go-again.html

[Realist]

This is nothing more than speculation at this point.

More importantly, how about Cadillac first offer a proper luxury sedan to compete with the S Class, 7 Series, and LS before they go dreaming about supercars.

Anyone remember the last Cadillac GM dreamed out ... you know, the XLR-V. Where is that now? Rotting away on dealer lots.

The truth is, Cadillac does not have the prestige, or reputation to sell a 150K+ supercar.

[mkaresh]

I agree, you can't buy your way into a segment just by fielding a car. Even Mercedes is getting nowhere with Maybach. You must work up to it.

Cadillac can't even offer a true S-Class competitor yet. How about a class-leading STS and SRX?

[mbukukanyau]

Le General is all talk until they build a Cien

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by mkaresh

I agree, you can't buy your way into a segment just by fielding a car. Even Mercedes is getting nowhere with Maybach. You must work up to it.

That's not really fair. Maybach doesn't compete in the $150,000 segment (yet). Maybach is a $300,000+ car!! The market dynamics are different in that segment.

[HoosierRon]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh

[likearock00]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

That's not really fair. Maybach doesn't compete in the $150,000 segment (yet). Maybach is a $300,000+ car!! The market dynamics are different in that segment.

True, but you can compare the facts that Cadillac is not ready to swim in the 150k market yet. Just having a vehicle with that price tag does not cut it. It needs to be better than the competition. Toyota is trying this with the new Tundra. They built a vehicle that, on paper anyways, can compete in the full-size truck segment. It boasts class leading options such as towing, torque and horsepower ratings.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by likearock00

True, but you can compare the facts that Cadillac is not ready to swim in the 150k market yet. Just having a vehicle with that price tag does not cut it. It needs to be better than the competition.

Well, put it this way. Cadillac can strengthen its core products, but without creating a sense of aspiration and prestige, and also get nowhere. What this essentially does is mitigate the risk for Cadillac. They are playing it safe.

When Lexus launched in 1990, it came with LS400. It wasn't an S-Class competitior, but it was a solid 75% effort. 16 years later, they have a 100% effort.
Cadillac had the idea of a $150,000 car in 2002. A smart strategy meeting could have come up with a few things to guide Cadillac to the $150,000 price point.
1) Develop a car at $60-100,000.
2) Improve dealership appearance.
3) Improve prestige marketing to boost brand cachet.
4) Work on luxury product cross-promotions to boost brand cachet.

A specific timeline could have been laid out in 2003. $60-100 car by 2008, with concept due 2007. Concept for $150,00 by 2012, with car due 2014. That would have given Cadillac enough time to revamp its image an dits dealerhsip base. But of course, if Cadillac is content on selling XLR's next to Impalas and Aveos, this certainly isn't a plan that will work, now is it???

It proves they don't have direction, or really have no clue where to take Cadillac.

Originally Posted by likearock00

Toyota is trying this with the new Tundra. They built a vehicle that, on paper anyways, can compete in the full-size truck segment. It boasts class leading options such as towing, torque and horsepower ratings.

Sadly, I think TOyota will eventually succeed in this market. They do seem to have the right product and feature mix.

[kenman923]

If Cadillac is trying to make themselves a formidable foe in the marketplace, this is the way to do it.

[mcool]

With the high anticipation for the new CTS, the improved sales of the SRX following its well-executed MCE, the segment dominance of the Escalade range, Cadillac has proof in the pudding that revitalizing the current portfolio is the best strategy possible for the brand.

Making a breakout car like the 1st CTS a true class leader is much more feasible and effective than a out-of-left-field halo car that won't sell in volume. Cadillac is still very much on the rebound, and they need to sort out the STS/DTS overlap.

Lexus has gone more than a decade without a halo product beyond their typical price range. Instead they've delivered increasingly impressive product in addition to expanding into meaty areas like entry luxury and mid-size crossovers. That's the approach Cadillac needs to follow... perception based on product.

[Ultimate1]

The Cien and Sixteen should both be produced.

A super car exotic with the 1000HP v16 would be awesome also.

A v10 is not exotic enough imo.

[zackythekid]

caddy does need a car there but they are skiping alot of things such as brand image in the process... no doubt they improved in the last 5years... but the next 5 year should have a S-class or even a 7series fighter and then...

i know exactly wht they r thinking, they are after bentley continental and honestly they can but for tht they need to go after the S-class first... seriously its like skipping high school and going to graduate school.... lol

-ZaC-

[CJ Thunder]

Originally Posted by Ultimate1

The Cien and Sixteen should both be produced.

A super car exotic with the 1000HP v16 would be awesome also.

A v10 is not exotic enough imo.

You are mixing up a Super Car and Luxury car, if cady wants to be like Mayabach a more refined, quieter z06 engine will do in things...of course its all about the Jones' so actually a lot of people want their car to say V12 but will never use it, so Cady needs to be luxury with the power for people who know numbers but hide it with luxury so the others don't need to know it.

[asim]

This might be a bold move for Cadillac. It could lead to a great rising of the Cadillac brand, or a disastrous moment for General Motors. By building a car in the $150,000 - 180,000 range, they could really leapfrog themselves in perception versus building an S-class fighter. Nonetheless, an S-class fighter should be built regardless.

[Hurricane]

The Cien was gorgeous!!!