Two mistakes GM is about to make.

[uboys]

Dear GM,
Can I stop you in time?

1. Cancelling the SRX (and possibly adding a Lambda replacement or leaving it blank).

--This is a no-no GM and you all know it! Redesign it to look less like a wagon (which was its only flaw) and put it in Sigma II like the 2008 Cadillac CTS. It deserves to be just as good as the 2008 CTS, and the second time around it will be a hit.
Cut out all that other nonsense. Keep your eyes on the prize: the X5.

2. Putting the BRX on Theta.

--No, no! Again. You all need to put it on the Torana RWD platform (along with the BTS).

Thanks!

[ChevyRules]

Originally Posted by uboys

Dear GM,
Can I stop you in time?

1. Cancelling the SRX (and possibly adding a Lambda replacement or leaving it blank).

--This is a no-no GM and you all know it! Redesign it to look less like a wagon (which was its only flaw) and put it in Sigma II like the 2008 Cadillac CTS. It deserves to be just as good as the 2008 CTS, and the second time around it will be a hit.
Cut out all that other nonsense. Keep your eyes on the prize: the X5.

2. Putting the BRX on Theta.

--No, no! Again. You all need to put it on the Torana RWD platform (along with the BTS).

Thanks!

Well it won't be bad if they are AWD only like the X3 and X5 are. They do also need a better AWD system then the Equinox and Acadia has( more like Saab's XWD). But, if they offer FWD versions, GM will make Cadillac a laughing stock again excluding the CTS.

[86fleet]

Originally Posted by uboys

Dear GM,
Can I stop you in time?

1. Cancelling the SRX (and possibly adding a Lambda replacement or leaving it blank).

--This is a no-no GM and you all know it! Redesign it to look less like a wagon (which was its only flaw) and put it in Sigma II like the 2008 Cadillac CTS. It deserves to be just as good as the 2008 CTS, and the second time around it will be a hit.
Cut out all that other nonsense. Keep your eyes on the prize: the X5.

2. Putting the BRX on Theta.

--No, no! Again. You all need to put it on the Torana RWD platform (along with the BTS).

Thanks!

1. Agree 100%
2. I don't even think there should be a BRX, but if there must be one, you're right about it being on a rwd platform

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by ChevyRules

But, if they offer FWD versions, GM will make Cadillac a laughing stock again excluding the CTS.

Audi, Lexus, Volvo, and Saab have a handful of FWD models. FWD does not automatically reduce a luxury vehicle's quality.

But I do think it's makes it more difficult.

[DuSpinnst]

Cute Utes work better in FWD. The BRX is a Cute Ute

Look at sales in the luxury segment. Remember most are FWD in this segment, the X3 being an exception.

[igor]

people are too hung up on the whole RWD thing ...

I agree that ThetaII runs the risk of a couple too many versions;
I also agree that if Cadillac is getting a BTS/BLS on the Alpha platform, then BRX HAS TO BE on Alpha - it makes no sense to have it on Theta, if the sedan is on Alpha.

However in and of itself - there is no innate need for the crossover to be RWD based or even standard with AWD ... that segment just does not care - small lux CUV buyers are much less simage conscious than lux-sedan buyers.

Igor

[ksr]

Definitely agree about the SRX. It's a fine vehicle. Improve the look for a 2nd generation, don't just give up. It's not easy to have sales success with your first attempt in a market segment. The SRX was done mostly right, just refine the look.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by uboys

Dear GM,
Can I stop you in time?

1. Cancelling the SRX (and possibly adding a Lambda replacement or leaving it blank).

--This is a no-no GM and you all know it! Redesign it to look less like a wagon (which was its only flaw) and put it in Sigma II like the 2008 Cadillac CTS. It deserves to be just as good as the 2008 CTS, and the second time around it will be a hit.
Cut out all that other nonsense. Keep your eyes on the prize: the X5.

2. Putting the BRX on Theta.

--No, no! Again. You all need to put it on the Torana RWD platform (along with the BTS).

Thanks!

If you were here and were a girl, I would hug you tightly!!!

GM is soo stupid, killing the SRX is insane!!!

[rhvfd10]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

Audi, Lexus, Volvo, and Saab have a handful of FWD models. FWD does not automatically reduce a luxury vehicle's quality.

But I do think it's makes it more difficult.

The key here is remembering that Cadillac isn't supposed to be targeting those guys. GM has Buick and Saab to do that. Caddilac should be 110% focused on BMW, Mercedes, and the like.

[Canuck]

Great letter. I really hope GM reconsiders both the SRX and the BRX.

Cadillac needs to remain RWD with optional AWD. FWD is not associated with high end cars, let Buick have the FWD models.

[t-rex]

I agree, but waiting till Alpha/whatever arrives in 2010-2011 would seriously delay the BRX. GM needs a small luxury crossover not today, but yesterday!

If they had designed the SRX's roofline to be more like the Vizon concept's, it probably would have been a big hit. The Vizon was one strikingly handsome SUV.

But there's something that's irking the hell out of me. Everybody whines about GM putting Caddy's SUVs on Lambda and Theta, yet nobody seems to have a problem with the marque's flagship SUV being a crude, tarted-up Chevy Tahoe.

I think a Lambda SRX is only a fraction of the travesty that is the Escalade. I don't care how well it sells, it's a trashy, vulgar blingmobile aimed the masses of the insecure nouveau-riche who have more money than taste. The presence of the Escalade in a Cadillac showroom destroys the entire brand. It's a like big velvet Elvis on a floodlit plinth in the MOMA.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by t-rex

I think a Lambda SRX is only a fraction of the travesty that is the Escalade. I don't care how well it sells, it's a trashy, vulgar blingmobile aimed the masses of the insecure nouveau-riche who have more money than taste. The presence of the Escalade in a Cadillac showroom destroys the entire brand. It's a like big velvet Elvis on a floodlit plinth in the MOMA.

The previous Escalade was an overpriced Tahoe, in my humble opinion. The new one? Aside from the lack of independent rear suspension, what's wrong with it?

[91 s-10baja]

have I missed something, they are cancelling the SRX?

[86fleet]

Originally Posted by 91 s-10baja

have I missed something, they are cancelling the SRX?

I don't know if there's any concrete evidence to suggest it, but the SRX has not been selling as well as expected and plenty of people wouldn't put it past GM, even the "new" GM, to cut it despite it's popularity with critics, and the fact that it's a great vehicle

[t-rex]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

The previous Escalade was an overpriced Tahoe, in my humble opinion. The new one? Aside from the lack of independent rear suspension, what's wrong with it?

I know a lot of people like the Escalade, but it's no more high-tech than a Silverado. And at least in my opinion, it still looks like a Tahoe. Nearly every body panel aft of the A-pillar is shared with the Tahoe.

The Tahoe and Yukon are handsomely-styled, at least for this genre, but they'll never be mistaken for luxury vehicles. The Escalade is no more differentiated from its Chevy cousin than the Cimarron was from the Cavalier. It's like seeing Sean Connery in a Coco Chanel evening gown...