British don't seem to like CTS

[Stovebolt]

Originally Posted by Drive571

Let's put it this way, then: everyone would like the home-grown stuff to be better. And changing the perception that is is better generally takes decades of empirical evidence to the contrary. Remember that not 15 years ago, Cavaliers and Escorts were still sitting on top-10-sellers lists.

Makes sense to me - and you put it better than I ever could.

[AMERICA 123]

Originally Posted by usa1

We have to remember that the CTS costs a lot more in UK than in the US. You expect more when you pay more.

Mark

Yes, and most here seem to want to ignore the very real reality that different markets get different 'versions' of the same car - for many good reasons - from roads to driver preferences - so how the excellent CTS stacks up against anything over here is not necessarily how its going to turn out over there.

All it takes is one in a two car comparison - Bmws as an example definitely drive 'differently' in the UK than here.

So does a bunch of other including Honda, Nissan, MB, Porsche........ get the idea ?

If you have every owned an '80s gray market German car in sunny Southern California - you know what I'm talking about.

[AMERICA 123]

Originally Posted by zete

How is it sized <"about"> "half way between the BMW 3-series and 5-series"?

Interior volume - USA nhtsa numbers show ( cubic feet) :
............CAB...............BOOT
3 series 93 ( 328i ).......12

CTS.......96..................14

5 series..99 ( 528i )......14

*************

Related.......

The CTS'S superior side impact protection accounts for a great deal of the 'extra' exterior bulk - which btw, it isn't - anything ( esp. a car) by anybody that does well in the IIHS side impact is slightly bulky.

GM's wider - 'bulkier' product never is credited for this as it should be.

[BigEnos]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

Why can't GM design a 5 series competitor that isn't so portly. It seems that every entry GM has weighs more than the competition. Yes - the CTS is 5 series sized...but comes with the weight of the driver already built into the car. I could drive the 5 series and it would still weight less than the CTS...

BMW Advertises 3703 for an "unladen" 535i (US Spec). I'm guessing that unladen means empty gas tank. That makes it over 3800. The caddy is specified in "curb weight" which includes gasoline.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curb_weight

So, weight is pretty much a wash and the caddy is a little bigger apparently.

[tollytime]

All of Europe seems to have contempt for US automobiles. I think it mostly stems from the contempt they have for Americans and our culture. Cadillac is a symbol of our flamboyant lifestyle they love to ridicule. They take racing very serious and think our stock car racing is a joke. Whenever an American driver enters Formula one, the European tabloids try to destroy that persons reputation. I'm just saying, expect some criticism at the very least.
Top Gear gives some pretty good reasons Cadillac is not doing well in Europe. GM is way behind technology and design features that is expected in a premium sedan. That's a fact, get over it!
The only reason we can't watch Top Gear on regular telivision is because our media is so heavily censored by sponsors. Yes, you heard me right. It's OK to say sh-t or n-gger on TV, but GM would never allow a Jeremy to poke fun of the CTS-V on television. It would damage Cadillac's reputation to watch a grown man make fun of their flagship line by imitating the annoying "BONG" sound coming from the dash when they keys are left in the ignition.

[stevecmh]

Originally Posted by zl-1

I think it's a few details here and there, but mostly a perception issue.

agreed.. and he just might not like American cars

[Robert Ryan]

They are scared by this car...God forbid an American car succeeding where they failed miserably, especially on their home turf. They do not want it to succeed; they are pre-empting the public. Hopefully the average citizen puts aside their inferiority complex and takes the car for what it is...A World-Class car at an even better price.
__________________

I very much doubt they are going to buying any more Cadillacs tan they do now..which is not many. The market that Cadillac has to crack is the US one and hopefully US buyers will overcome "their inferirity complex'" and buy one instead of a Lexus, Mercedes etc. Otherwise you will not have to worry about exporting the CTS as that will be the last of Cadillacs worries.

[Frankster177]

The engine has been criticised everywhere for being harsh.
The Cts is just too polarising in its looks.
I dont like it at all.

But at least GM is improving.

[paul8488]

It might just be that Cadillac is an American brand. No shame in that... not every brand can conquer the world.

[SimonDavid]

Originally Posted by rueben44

The British are just sore at America in a lot of ways. They feel castrated as a world power by us and they often show it in car reviews or in other ways. Anyone that has even sat in the CTS know that interior is not only world class it outclasses the C and E class Benz's and matches or best up to the 5 series in every detail. The engine is also very refined and not trashy I mean come on.

with all due respect,
"sore at America"
"castrated as a world power"

puhleeze get over yourself. This is like the most pro-US country in the world.

But it's also a very very competitive market here. Do you realise how affordable Porches are in London? It took Lexus 10-15 years of unfailing product excellence to to crack it. And the roads do make a mockery of many cars' suspension setups. These are not Californian boulevards. Petrol prices are astronomical and the majority of luxury cars sold are diesels, which Cadillac still doesnt offer.

The reviewer is wrong about the size of the car, but the rest of the report is just a reflection of how tough it is to compete with BMW et al on their home turf.

[SimonDavid]

Originally Posted by paul8488

It might just be that Cadillac is an American brand. No shame in that... not every brand can conquer the world.

Gap and Starbucks own the high street here (and Banana Republic just set up shop to much fanfare)

Apple computers are everywhere

no problem with American brands that are competently managed

[paul8488]

Originally Posted by SimonDavid

Gap and Starbucks own the high street here (and Banana Republic just set up shop to much fanfare)

Apple computers are everywhere

no problem with American brands that are competently managed

Ah yes, you're right... but I mean that maybe, for whatever reason, Cadillac just isn't what the rest of the world is looking for in a luxury car. I don't think that that has to be a bad thing. I personally don't think it has anything to do with being 'American'... I think that it has to do with Cadillacs not being what British (and other people outside the US) are looking for. I think that Cadillac should own the US luxury market before it tries to conquer the world.

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by Ambalanche

I had an '08 CTS before I bought the 'Vette. To me, it's the best American car built bar none! Sounds like this guy is trying to be a Clarkson wannabe.

Indeed, this person is obviously biased.

Originally Posted by tollytime

All of Europe seems to have contempt for US automobiles. I think it mostly stems from the contempt they have for Americans and our culture. Cadillac is a symbol of our flamboyant lifestyle they love to ridicule. They take racing very serious and think our stock car racing is a joke. Whenever an American driver enters Formula one, the European tabloids try to destroy that persons reputation. I'm just saying, expect some criticism at the very least.

You don't see something wrong with this? I think it's ignorant to criticize ones culture, but they do it all the time. Why are people so insecure in Europe?

[Frankster177]

Originally Posted by PA Dweller

Indeed, this person is obviously biased.



You don't see something wrong with this? I think it's ignorant to criticize ones culture, but they do it all the time. Why are people so insecure in Europe?

Why are you lot so insecure that you cant accept that other markets and people dont like your CTS?

Most luxury buyers here would laugh at spending their money on a Cadillac.

Its made for American tastes. In your face and garish
Most other markets like their luxury cars subtle.

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by Frankster177

Why are you lot so insecure that you cant accept that other markets and people dont like your CTS?

Most luxury buyers here would laugh at spending their money on a Cadillac.

Its made for American tastes. In your face and garish
Most other markets like their luxury cars subtle.

If they don't like the car thats fine, but they're fair game when they criticize our taste in cars. Can you tell me why you defend them? Since you said "Like Your" would I be correct in guessing that your British and/or European?