Is this strategy still right for Cadillac?

Here's a snippet of the what Mark Phelan from the Free Press said in his review of the new Cadillac DTS.

"Cadillac has sold about 35,000 well-equipped DeVilles to people like Bott every year. They are among the most loyal owners in the auto industry, the brand's core constituency. They are lifeblood to a lot of Cadillac dealers, a group the brand cannot alienate.

Cadillac's new direction has been a smashing success with people like me -- folks who like crisp handling, precise steering and sporty driving."

We think his strategy could not be more wrong and is at the root of the problems at Cadillac and GM.

What a brain dead plan!

Could the DTS be any more BORING?

Let's just do the same thing forever, until we go out of business becuase we're afraid to take a chance!

Correct me if I'm wrong...I see just as many 65 year old men driving the new 300c as the STS or DTS and it is the antithesis of the those cars.

Aren't these the same guys that drove those radical looking Eldorado's and Sevilles in the day?

Who says they want something with zero personality?

We say the blame lays with some marketing person at GM who needs an exit package...and soon!

Look what happened when Ford re-did the Mustang...it brought old AND young together.

Why can't GM bring out a modern Eldorado or Fleetwood with an edgy design?

I think those 65 year old men AND women would be OVERJOYED to go to their Cadillac dealer and buy one becuase it would remind them of when they were in their prime!

Here's our recipe for a guaranteed success at Cadillac:

Build a four door sedan that looks like a smaller version of the 'Sixteen' concept and make it a bargain in its category like the Mustang.

People would break the doors down at their Cadillac dealers just to get their hands on one.

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Full review here













Osprey1Osprey1 - 10/14/2005 7:48:02 PM
+1 Boost
I have known my local Cadillac dealers all my life. My dad drove Cadillacs for 40 + years. On the other hand, three months ago, I came driving home in my new M45. The next day I got a call from one of the "Cadillac Brothers" who ask me to come and talk to them. I stopped by the next morning and they both met me outside as I was climbing out the M45. They finally broke the aimless chat by asking me why I would buy foreign when my family had "supported them for so many years." I of course had a good idea why they wanted to talk to me and I was ready. I told them "lets go for a little ride and I will let this car answer your question." Only one of them could leave as business was so slow they had laid off a lot of help but the senior brother started for the passenger door and I told him no, get behind the wheel. He did. I told him to take the 8 mile loop and to mean it. I said very little, I just showed him the equipment and how it worked. Like me, he said very little until we were back at the dealership. I ask him to be honest and tell me what he thought of the car. He just stared ahead for about 15 seconds and whispered "Sweet Jesus". He turned to me and said that he hated to say it but this Infiniti was without doubt the finest automobile he had ever driven. When I told him what it cost he just put his head down on the wheel. When he opened the door to get out he looked up and down the side of the car and said. Can't blame ya man, can't blame ya. While what attracts us to cars as individuals is truly subjective, and Audi, Merecdes, BMW, Jaguar,Lexus etc. are all fine cars and I would be proud to own any of them. The point is, Cadillac has heard the song but just can't or won't learn to sing it.


MercBasherMercBasher - 10/20/2005 5:52:46 PM
+1 Boost
GMs problems are the fault of executives who create the culture and make the product and capital allocation decisions. Its not the healthcare costs its the deplorable management - why don't shareholders revolt?


PeteinFullertonPeteinFullerton - 10/20/2005 6:01:14 PM
+1 Boost
"We say the blame lays with some marketing person
at GM who needs an exit package...and soon!"

OK, think GM will get PO'd and pull their advertising like they did after Dan Neil's article in the LA Times? Of course, Phelan didn't mention Wagner by name like Neil did, but isn't he ultimately responsible for the situation at GM?


PeteinFullertonPeteinFullerton - 10/20/2005 6:01:14 PM
+1 Boost
"We say the blame lays with some marketing person
at GM who needs an exit package...and soon!"

OK, think GM will get PO'd and pull their advertising like they did after Dan Neil's article in the LA Times? Of course, Phelan didn't mention Wagner by name like Neil did, but isn't he ultimately responsible for the situation at GM?


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