Rumor: Caddy Volt??

[paul8488]

There are currently no simple rebadges at Caddy, so there's no reason to assume that that's what they'll do with the Volt. It only make sense to have the newest and hottest technology at CAdillac, so there will obviously be an E-Flex motivated Caddy in the future. They should do the BLS and SRX with it for starters.

[uboys]

Originally Posted by PAULSTS1

WILL GM EVER LEARN? RE-BADGING THE VOLT TO ALL DIVISIONS!

This is exactly what GM doesn't need to do. When they had Oldsmobile, it was the testing ground for Cadillac technology. After the technology was proven it was later introduced into a premium car (Toronado, then Eldorado). The Volt or whatever name GM decides on should be introduced as a Buick (as earlier stated by wescoent) then as popularity increases and market conditions allow, a more full featured Hybrid can be released to Cadillac as a premium Alpha. This car would be smaller than a CTS, but would sell for around the same dollar amount, with Hybrid technology and state of the art, light body construction, i.e. a new kind of Cadillac, not just a small car!

The thought about a small Cadillac just for being small, makes me cringe, I don't see it as a good marketing choice. Read articles: Cadillac is thought of World Wide as a large, grand car, build something else, you have a "White Elephant." Something that must be given away, and will not sell. Don't fool yourselves, many people in this forum are for it, but these same people have said time and time again, "they won't buy Cadillac." They hate the dealerships, the service records, and the offerings. These are the types that expect "perfection" in an imperfect world, and just have a lot of time on their hands to talk about things, there will be no pay days with them, only banter!

In closing, I don't think the Volt should be sold by Chevrolet, or Cadillac now. It's would be better offered through Buick, and after refinement, maybe after greater exposure, a more advanced offering someday can be offered by Cadillac.

It won't be a "rebadge"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Have you not been following GM over the last 7 years Lutz has been here?!!!

In case you have not noticed, this is a brilliant move!

1. E-Flex is expensive.

2. The Chevrolet Volt will be sold at a "high" price initially, infringing on sales.

3. The cost needs to come down.

4. Putting E-Flex into a Cadillac will allow for higher margins and to recover costs sooner.

5. Lexus is getting a "Prius".

6. It will sell.

7. Cadillac will be getting an "E-Flex" vehicle.

8. "E-Flex" is not "the Volt".

9. Enviros are more likely to be rich than other people.

10. If those wealthy celebs with Priuses switch to Lexus, what will happen to their brand cachet?

11. Why should Cadillac allow that to go away?

Let us hope this is an all-new standalone model (maybe on Alpha or Sigma).
Most likely it will be on Theta-Premium. I just hope it will be completely different to the Provoq.

[johnstarnes]

My take on this was not a "rebadged Volt", just using the E-Flex powertrain in a Cadillac for massive torque, quiet powerful driving AND the world's first extended range electric luxury car.

[Maetrix66]

The simple act of calling this car a Buick will take it off most people's shopping lists. The tech-savvy bleeding-edge crowd won't be caught dead driving a Buick, while the typical Buick owner would worry that the high voltage electronics could short out his pacemaker, or try to put gas in the battery port...

Right, that's why they're having a problem keeping Enclaves in stock, all the blind and senile old people that think it's Hudson.

Who is assuming that the only people interested in saving gas and not having to negotiate the fuel pumps are the tech savvy narcissists? The technology needs to be spread around, and packaged for each brand. I'm not saying rip off the chevy emblem and slap it on a Buick, but if they add E-flex to a vehicle with a soft ride and the comfort that Buick represents, then why wouldn't a Buick customer consider it?

My point is that the success of the Enclave tells us that the only thing limiting the potential rise of Buick is people inside GM that are afraid to market to people under the age of 70.

[MechEng]

At NAIAS in Detroit this year GM showed a Caddy E-Flex (hydrogen) ... The Provoq concept. It's now going to be the next SRX. I'm guessing that this is the vehicle that GM is targeting for E-Flex. I have no problem with this and I think it's a fantastic idea. I do agree that the Volt should not be rebadged as a Caddy.

[steined]

E-Flex in the Caddy is a great idea. It solves the problem of celebrities not wanting to be seen in a Chevy. They had no problems being seen in the SLade back in the day before the Global Warming Scare started.

[Maetrix66]

9. Enviros are more likely to be rich than other people.

Does anyone ever notice that alot of the people with alternative life views are either rich or come from rich families?

I guess if you aren't spending every waking moment trying to stay afloat like the rest of us, then you sit around looking for things to do.

Idle hands are the devils playground.

[Maetrix66]

E-Flex in the Caddy is a great idea. It solves the problem of celebrities not wanting to be seen in a Chevy. They had no problems being seen in the SLade back in the day before the Global Warming Scare started.

Yeah, but will they want to drive a Station Wagon?? Even if it is a Cadillac?

[Saturn69]

Originally Posted by PAULSTS1

WILL GM EVER LEARN? RE-BADGING THE VOLT TO ALL DIVISIONS!

This is exactly what GM doesn't need to do. When they had Oldsmobile, it was the testing ground for Cadillac technology. After the technology was proven it was later introduced into a premium car (Toronado, then Eldorado). The Volt or whatever name GM decides on should be introduced as a Buick (as earlier stated by wescoent) then as popularity increases and market conditions allow, a more full featured Hybrid can be released to Cadillac as a premium Alpha. This car would be smaller than a CTS, but would sell for around the same dollar amount, with Hybrid technology and state of the art, light body construction, i.e. a new kind of Cadillac, not just a small car!

The thought about a small Cadillac just for being small, makes me cringe, I don't see it as a good marketing choice. Read articles: Cadillac is thought of World Wide as a large, grand car, build something else, you have a "White Elephant." Something that must be given away, and will not sell. Don't fool yourselves, many people in this forum are for it, but these same people have said time and time again, "they won't buy Cadillac." They hate the dealerships, the service records, and the offerings. These are the types that expect "perfection" in an imperfect world, and just have a lot of time on their hands to talk about things, there will be no pay days with them, only banter!

In closing, I don't think the Volt should be sold by Chevrolet, or Cadillac now. It's would be better offered through Buick, and after refinement, maybe after greater exposure, a more advanced offering someday can be offered by Cadillac.

Sigh. Reading comprehension is a lost art. They aren't talking about rebadging, they're talking about using the E-Flex drivetrain in a Cadillac. And, a smaller Caddy would be a good idea as well. Platform sharing is NOT rebadging.

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by blkwrxsti

I agree with you that badge engineering is a dead end, but three things in your post bothered me:

The assumption that Cadillacs should always be BIG. That's what got Cadillac to where it is, change or die - as they say. This thing will be exclusive, very quiet, and the owner will never have to touch a gas pump. That's the sweetspot of Luxury now, not having 2.5 tons of steel around you. Your reference to the Alpha is already a good example of this trend, as is the Audi line, the expected Lexus Prius, etc.

The implication that GM should seek to hide the Volt from perfectionists, because then the initial car would be more of a success (maybe, but it would be at the expense of improving the car and potentially increasing their first-mover advantage). I also don't buy the idea that people buying the first electric vehicle will not be demanding, just because they're buying it from Chevy - and Chevy is not as well equipped to deal with them.

Giving a tech laden car to Buick? Once volumes get up there and the Chinese demand Volts, then give it to Buick, otherwise this is a recipe for failure. The simple act of calling this car a Buick will take it off most people's shopping lists. The tech-savvy bleeding-edge crowd won't be caught dead driving a Buick, while the typical Buick owner would worry that the high voltage electronics could short out his pacemaker, or try to put gas in the battery port...

The tech savvy and wealthy crowd wouldn't touch a Cadillac with a 10 foot pole either. However, the cheap unrefined Delta II platform has NO PLACE in a Cadillac showroom.

Now, if they put E-Flex in an Alpha BTS, then that's fine.

[Timekeeper]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.... here comes the Pontiac Amp, Buick Fuse, Cadilac Circuit, Saturn ....... I think you get the idea!!!

[fp115]

Originally Posted by wescoent

The tech savvy and wealthy crowd wouldn't touch a Cadillac with a 10 foot pole either. However, the cheap unrefined Delta II platform has NO PLACE in a Cadillac showroom.

Now, if they put E-Flex in an Alpha BTS, then that's fine.

Again, where are you seeing that they are building a Cadillac Volt? You guys are twisting this in more ways than imaginably possible.

[2002 Caddy]

Originally Posted by wescoent

The tech savvy and wealthy crowd wouldn't touch a Cadillac with a 10 foot pole either. However, the cheap unrefined Delta II platform has NO PLACE in a Cadillac showroom.

Now, if they put E-Flex in an Alpha BTS, then that's fine.

As someone with both a Computer Science Degree and an MBA, pulling down mid 6 figures in a executive management position I would LOVE an upscale Volt like Cadillac. My broker, who makes more then me, "only" has a BBA would be also be in line for this car... and he HATES GM cars... with a passion...

His company, like mine, offers HUGE incentives to senior staff to buy hybrids or "alternative" fuel cars as company vehicles or "compensation vehicles"

If I were to pull into the executive parking garage with one of these I would be "big man on campus" for weeks.

Speeking from the point of veiw of someone who is tech savvy and "not at all hurting"...
GM... BUILD THIS CAR!

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by fp115

Again, where are you seeing that they are building a Cadillac Volt? You guys are twisting this in more ways than imaginably possible.

I've heard heard about a Cadillac Volt from other sources, but in the end, I expect it'll just be E-Flex in a Cadillac.

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by 2002 Caddy

As someone with both a Computer Science Degree and an MBA, pulling down mid 6 figures in a executive management position I would LOVE an upscale Volt like Cadillac. My broker, who makes more then me, "only" has a BBA would be also be in line for this car... and he HATES GM cars... with a passion...

His company, like mine, offers HUGE incentives to senior staff to buy hybrids or "alternative" fuel cars as company vehicles or "compensation vehicles"

If I were to pull into the executive parking garage with one of these I would be "big man on campus" for weeks.

Speeking from the point of veiw of someone who is tech savvy and "not at all hurting"...
GM... BUILD THIS CAR!

I phrased that wrong... I meant it more that badging it as a Buick wouldn't be any worse than badging it as a Cadillac. Where I think a Buick-ized Delta II Volt would work, a Cadillac should simple be E-Flex in an existing Cadillac model.