[MiatsoCi]

It was spot on! The Cadillac cheerleaders however all came out and praised the new CTS and told of future market dominance that failed to transpire.

Ironic that the OP of that thread ended up with, and currently has, a SWEET ATS Sedan and a SWEET new ATS Coupe recently. Almost as if Cadillac predicted his behavior

 

[MiatsoCi]

This is a quote from the OP:

And give up my CTS Performance Coupe? Are you insane?

A first for Cadillac? Cadillac set the expectation bar high with the CTS coupe. Instead of turning up the "wow" factor Cadillac took a step sideways. In someways I'm sure the ATS coupe will be a superior car but the ATS coupe's retreat on the door handles alone show that Cadillac got spooked by their own success. I may buy an ATS (thinking about it) but if I do it won't be to replace the CTS coupe. The ATS sedan could make a great car for my college age kids to drive around for the summer and allow me to take some of the millage pressure off the CTS Coupe by taking to work once in while myself.

and here are his cars:

PAST:

1991 Pontiac Firebird
1992, 1996, 2004 Pontiac Bonnevilles
1999 Chevy Camaro
2007 Pontiac Torrent
2009 Cadillac CTS Sedan
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe
2013 Cadillac CTS Performance AWD Coupe
_____________________
Current Vehicles
2010 Cadillac SRX
2013 Cadillac ATS AWD Sedan
2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe

 

[32016]

In my opinion, a big part of the problem is the name. Buyers who already have a CTS are stunned by the price of a new one and are passing and refusing to "step down" to ATS and buyers looking at the car for the first time associate the name with a smaller, cheaper car and pass.

GM should immediately change the CTS name to CT4. Then they also need to change ATS to CT2, XTS to CT5, and Escalade to XT7, and start the long process of teaching the public how their new naming convention works. The longer this mixed up naming structure goes on, the more damage it does.

The confusion over the new CTS moving up a class but keeping the same name was bad enough but to sell CTS and CT6 side-by-side is going to be worse as is selling XTS (a car) and XT5 (a CUV). They can't wait until a redesign, they need to rename all the products immediately. I personally hate the new alphanumeric system but I can understand the end goal of creating a hierarchy of models. Right now though, they have chaos and the alphanumerics need to be aligned to market sector as quickly as possible.

 

[fastball]

I love this car! But even though I'm not quite 40, I'm old school...I have a hard time accepting a V6 Cadillac...so 2.0 L Turbo no matter how wonderful will never be an option on my checklist. So it could only be V-Sport now or a used CTS-V in 4-5 years.

This 2.0T will leave any old school V8 Cadillacs in the dust. Just sayin.

 

[BlackGTP]

U know what is crazy John? The actual public doesn't have a poor perception of the car, its just many on GMI. Due to a lack of proper marketing the public barely knows the car exists. What makes it worse is the fact that those on GMI know that there are more apparent reasons for the drop in sales, but rather say arbitrary things that make little sense when viewed whole .

You hit the nail on the head. I get a lot of compliments on my ATS, but no one knows what it is, I could tell them it is a new 4 door Ferrari and they'd believe me. I'm sure the same holds true for the CTS, a lack of memorable marketing. Who is going to buy it if they don't know it exists. Obviously the price increase left most of the current CTS owners out in the cold and the marketing is failing to tell new customers to come into Cadillac showrooms.

I think there are a lot of little things that are adding up to no sales above and beyond the weak marketing.

- The styling, it doesn't photograph well to me. In real life and on the road it looks exotic. In pictures it looks bland.
- To many anti-CUE rants from the press. I find it easy to use, I don't understand the presses problem (other than when I see them using the silver guide bars as buttons - that wont work and a Cadillac failure - they need to better educate to properly use CUE)
- Space/trunk
- Getting Americans over the need to have a big engine. Since my first car (a new '89 Cavalier Z24) I've only owned V6's and never wanted a 4, but now that I have the 2.0T in my ATS, I never want a V6 again.

 

[Amphibian]

U know what is crazy John? The actual public doesn't have a poor perception of the car, its just many on GMI. Due to a lack of proper marketing the public barely knows the car exists. What makes it worse is the fact that those on GMI know that there are more apparent reasons for the drop in sales, but rather say arbitrary things that make little sense when viewed whole .

The CTS has a strong reputation on GMI. There's some who don't like aspects of the styling or of course question the sales or name, but overall the CTS is a winner here.

As for perceptions, I assume you mean the public doesn't know how good this car is. The media doesn't help by always drawing comparisons or otherwise talking about "old" Cadillacs, and not the "good ones". It's the 80s and 90s cars.

One poster on here had a Vsport and mentioned something of friends joking about him becoming elderly or whatever. That points to Cadillac still having a serious image problem for many in parts of the country, because I doubt that's an isolated problem.

 

[b4z]

It's price. I won't mention the tighter ****pit and the 35" of rear legroom. Oh wait, I just did.

 

[Cheyenne454]

The CTS has a strong reputation on GMI. There's some who don't like aspects of the styling or of course question the sales or name, but overall the CTS is a winner here.

As for perceptions, I assume you mean the public doesn't know how good this car is. The media doesn't help by always drawing comparisons or otherwise talking about "old" Cadillacs, and not the "good ones". It's the 80s and 90s cars.

One poster on here had a Vsport and mentioned something of friends joking about him becoming elderly or whatever. That points to Cadillac still having a serious image problem for many in parts of the country, because I doubt that's an isolated problem.

It appears there is an inverse correlation between the GM fans perception of a vehicle here on GMI (CTS) and the ultimate success in the marketplace. The CTS is very well liked by the GM faithful posters here on GMI, but sales (actual acceptance in the market) are dropping like a stone!

 

[member12]

One of my neighbors have one. It looks great.

 

[Dr.Show-Me]

The thing is that its not the CAR that isn't worth the extra $10K.. its the name (CTS) being associated with entry-level for its entire 10 year life before 2014's Gen3 showed up wearing CTS badge on an STS uniform. That is Cadillac's biggest folly. That is the reason for the price/car confusion. Again.. they would have been better off killing the naming scheme in '12 when the ATS debuted and starting the new "CTx" or.. better yet, considering the fact that the 2013 Model year was the Gen2 CTS's 5th year they could have easily called the ATS the Gen3 CTS, and brought this gorgeous car we are speaking of out as the NEW for 2013 STS.

While we're at it, the XTS should have been simply the new DTS.. the Cruze the CAVALIER, and the G6 the Grand Am.. I could go on. GM has this thing with changing names so they can say "First Ever..." It pisses me off.

Cadillac wastes whatever equity the names have by using new alphanumerics. Why cut your historical names and equity for an unknown name that then needs introduction and advertising?

 

[MiatsoCi]

The CTS has a strong reputation on GMI. There's some who don't like aspects of the styling or of course question the sales or name, but overall the CTS is a winner here.

As for perceptions, I assume you mean the public doesn't know how good this car is. The media doesn't help by always drawing comparisons or otherwise talking about "old" Cadillacs, and not the "good ones". It's the 80s and 90s cars.

One poster on here had a Vsport and mentioned something of friends joking about him becoming elderly or whatever. That points to Cadillac still having a serious image problem for many in parts of the country, because I doubt that's an isolated problem.

Screw 'em. I heard the same thing from some of the young guys under 35 I know and then I murdered their Bimmers, Benz's, Mustangs, Camaros, Mopars, and Audi's then opened the passenger side door to let out one of the most Bangin Hot Asian Chicks this side of the hemisphere .

Not to mention the older people these cars are ridiculed to be owned by have REAL MONEY. They Buy, not look for the cheapest lease. Again.. Screw em. If I were that poster and was fortunate enough to own a Sweet Vsport CTS I would not give a damn what some punk in a 3 series or CClass had to say. Think about that for a minute

I get what you're saying, but that really is more about low self esteem than the car they drive . Both myself and JBZ06 drive CTS and a Vette. Ask him if he's had trouble with feeling bad about his self or purchase

 

[Dr.Show-Me]

It's price. I won't mention the tighter ****pit and the 35" of rear legroom. Oh wait, I just did.

Cadillac has had a reputation for big luxury boats, and should not have crowded interiors on any of its cars. They should be the roomiest in each segment, such as the old cts which was called a "tweener" and was larger than the competition, which NOW has grown to be more directly competitive size wise to the old CTS.
Cadillac should do its own thing and let the Germans react to Cadillacs moves!

 

[MiatsoCi]

It appears there is an inverse correlation between the GM fans perception of a vehicle here on GMI (CTS) and the ultimate success in the marketplace. The CTS is very well liked by the GM faithful posters here on GMI, but sales (actual acceptance in the market) are dropping like a stone!

Cause sales make the better car. I think the various wins in comparisons say different.

 

[Cheyenne454]

Cause sales make the better car. I think the various wins in comparisons say different.

Building cars that win comparisons by the automotive pundits but don't sell, is a fools errand!

 

[Amphibian]

Screw 'em. I heard the same thing from some of the young guys under 35 I know and then I murdered their Bimmers, Benz's, Mustangs, Camaros, Mopars, and Audi's then opened the passenger side door to let out one of the most Bangin Hot Asian Chicks this side of the hemisphere .

Not to mention the older people these cars are ridiculed to be owned by have REAL MONEY. They Buy, not look for the cheapest lease. Again.. Screw em. If I were that poster and was fortunate enough to own a Sweet Vsport CTS I would not give a damn what some punk in a 3 series or CClass had to say. Think about that for a minute

I get what you're saying, but that really is more about low self esteem than the car they drive . Both myself and JBZ06 drive CTS and a Vette. Ask him if he's had trouble with feeling bad about his self or purchase

What I bolded is the point, however. These are image cars. If you want a great car we can buy a Fusion. It's stylish, full of tech, etc. But these are cars for a much greater image. I like how Cadillac's website says Prestige cars, SUVs, etc. because that's what they are.....or what they're supposed to be. You can build cars for people willing to look past a badge (Phaeton, Equus, Genesis) and even sell a number of them, but then a company is mostly appealing to a connesseiur or a value shopper. That's part of the problem for some companies, including Cadillac in the instance of the CTS. The Escalade has prestige and image, for example. Cadillac cannot just ignore the bulk of consumers in this segment. An exotic is another matter.

The problem is that we car folks look at this too often from an enthusiast's perspective, but we forget most people don't. Buying a car like this IS for prestige and esteem for so many people, not backroads. That's just part of the image. It's a cycle.

 

[AMcA]

That color combo definitely takes away how good the CTS' interior is. Really, the main cars (IMO) for overall competence in this segment are the CTS, A6, and E-Class. Cadillac definitely did a better job than the other new-for-2014 mid-luxury sedan, the Ghibli. For the 2016 year it has to hold off the new XF, and Jaguar is getting more comparable on pricing. Still don't really see that being a huge seller. But the 2017 year will be problematic. The 5-Series, E-Class, and S90 will all be new, and based on their recent cars I'm expecting each to be impressive. So now it's a matter of what GM is going to do for the mid-cycle update in order to keep the CTS competitive. That's where things went sour for the STS. The interior update wasn't enough, the V-8 was left alone, etc.

I'd love to have a Vsport.

I'm a huge Cadillac fan. Except I drive an Audi A8.

And I really, really hate to say it, but I was a tad disappointed in the CTS interior. It's a subtle difference - no major flaws (well, wait - where the leather joins below the HVAC controls isn't as tidy as it should be). Nice, yes, but the fit doesn't quite hit Audi levels (but no complaints about the materials, all up to par). That made me sad.

I'm really hoping the CT6 can get into Audi territory. From photos, it's looking good - they've simplified everything for smooth fits. I've got high hopes.

 

[DetroitIron]

My wife and I rented the movie "Entourage" the other night. The real star of the movie was the Cadillac Ciel. As I watched it being driven, I got more and more p****ed off. That car is a REAL Cadillac. Not some warmed over four banger Malibu with a facelift. None of Cadillac's current offerings, including the bland CT6 have the swagger that was once Cadillac. The Ciel just reminds us of what "Cadillac" used to mean.

 

[ral1960]

From the linked article:
"The EPA says to expect 20 city / 30 highway with 24 combined from this four-door that tips it at 3,616-pounds. We actually managed to exceed that guesstimate, hitting an average of 24.9 mpg. Zero to sixty with the 2.0T engine and six speed automatic checks in at 6.2 seconds. For comparison sake, the 3.6-liter manages it in 6.1 seconds."

Sounds like the CT6 2.0 won't be much slower than the 3.6, either. All that low-end torque probably helps.

 

[wescoent]

Screw 'em. I heard the same thing from some of the young guys under 35 I know and then I murdered their Bimmers, Benz's, Mustangs, Camaros, Mopars, and Audi's then opened the passenger side door to let out one of the most Bangin Hot Asian Chicks this side of the hemisphere .

Councilman Jamm, is that you?

 

[MiatsoCi]

My wife and I rented the movie "Entourage" the other night. The real star of the movie was the Cadillac Ciel. As I watched it being driven, I got more and more p****ed off. That car is a REAL Cadillac. Not some warmed over four banger Malibu with a facelift. None of Cadillac's current offerings, including the bland CT6 have the swagger that was once Cadillac. The Ciel just reminds us of what "Cadillac" used to mean.

CT6 looks damn near like a hardtop Ciel... I think we should rejoice