A Third Time's a Charm: Cadillac Betting Big On Sub-CTS Line, Flagship Also Planned

A Third Time's a Charm: Cadillac Betting Big On Sub-CTS Line, Flagship Also Planned
Hoping to kick-start the struggling Cadillac division, one of the “bookends” of a downsized and restructured General Motors, the automaker will replace one of its most important products and add a new model that could become its global best-seller, a senior GM executive tells TheDetroitBureau.com.
The shake-up at the ailing maker has forced a complete rethinking of its luxury car strategy. Of GM’s three high-line brands, two - Hummer and Saab - will soon go away, notes Steve Shannon, marketing chief at the automaker’s Premium Channel.
That means Cadillac will have to carry the weight alone, though it’s not necessarily a bad thing, Shannon is quick to add. If anything, the elimination of those two premium brands, along with more mainstream Saturn, and the sharp reductions at Pontiac should mean more resources for Caddy.
“Cadillac (will) be a beneficiary of not having so many mouths to feed,” Shannon says, as he settles back at the GM booth at the 2009 New York International Auto Show.
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BossBoss - 4/11/2009 2:38:36 AM
-3 Boost
I love caddies but to dissappointed with GM to go buy one again.I had th 02 escalade when it had just been release boy was that thing an eye catcher and I loved the way that thing looked pure white not ivory.But begging for money to the goverment sad.Sorry GM you lost another one and I really liked you guys


LauderdaleDriverLauderdaleDriver - 4/12/2009 10:48:12 AM
0 Boost
So who isn't begging for money? ALL of the companies are to some way or another...........

The Japanese live on PERMANENT stimulus, what's the difference?


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 4/11/2009 12:25:52 PM
+3 Boost
I think its a good idea, but i'm not sure if it will be a good seller in the US, simply because US consumers tend to believe that small-luxury is an oxymoron, and cars get more luxurious with [bigger]size.

I am not certain if it will be received very well, but I wish them the best (they will certainly need it if they are to pick GM up).


inspirion7inspirion7 - 4/11/2009 4:13:34 PM
+4 Boost
GM needs to be pro active in doing moves such as this. Audi and BMW has finally broken down the resistance to small luxury vehicle here in the U.S. and if the sub CTS is successful, it will be able to thank these models that has trail-blazed the way.


dumpstydumpsty - 4/11/2009 2:40:58 PM
+2 Boost
I get really excited to hear that GM may finally be dropping some of their weaker brands and keeping, mainly, Cadillac & Chevrolet. It would be great so they can focus on a couple brands as opposed to 7 or 8 in the N.A. market alone.

Remember GM still has control of Opel (Germany), Holden (Australia), Buick (China), etc. which see to be good bets in the long run. A GM operating w/o the "iconic"/weaker American brands would be much stronger. Cadillac would have funding and R&D support to maybe once again become a standard of the world (and not just in commercials).


LauderdaleDriverLauderdaleDriver - 4/16/2009 10:43:33 PM
+1 Boost
No way they will build a BTS off of the Cruze platform. You've been smoking Elantra dust.


inspirion7inspirion7 - 4/12/2009 6:33:12 AM
+2 Boost
No where did has the Cruze platform been mentioned for the sub-CTS. The Alpha platform makes more sense. It is flexible and cost effective.


LauderdaleDriverLauderdaleDriver - 4/12/2009 10:51:19 AM
+1 Boost
I bet the B Caddy will look more like the "Converj" show car.........and I'd buy one.


LACMANLACMAN - 4/13/2009 2:05:31 PM
+1 Boost
Where did you get the info from your two posts above?!?!? Catera was RWD and the BTS is a Saab 9-3. How does Cruze fit into this equation? The next BTS (or whatever Caddy calls it) will be RWD based.


LACMANLACMAN - 4/13/2009 2:06:23 PM
+1 Boost
^^^Sorry, that was to HyundaiSmoke.^^^


rallyssrallyss - 4/11/2009 11:40:36 PM
+2 Boost
where in the artical did it say anything about the BTS/BLS being on the cruze frame? It says that will have a dedicated architecture, my guess would be the new alpha frame which is rear wheel drive.


inspirion7inspirion7 - 4/12/2009 6:17:25 AM
+3 Boost
Yes. Very perceptive. Just an image used (though GM decided to kill the car).


LauderdaleDriverLauderdaleDriver - 4/12/2009 10:53:36 AM
+1 Boost
Yes, UAW, the Sixteen was STUNNING. Reputedly, some Saudi sheik tried to buy the concept car.

Lutz killed it, saying that if GM released a 16 cylendar car, they would get too much criticism.

I do think that Cadillac needs and S class competitor, if it is to be taken seriously as a luxury car maker.

There's no reason they can't do it, they really were, "The Standard of the World," long before that was an advertizing slogan only.


wooodwoood - 4/13/2009 12:40:49 AM
+1 Boost
IMO Cadillac should stick to small medium and large for cars and 1 crossover and i full size SUV. Too much models will confuse the brand's followers. There should be a distinction between a mainstream brand (Chevy) and a luxury brand (Cadillac).


LACMANLACMAN - 4/13/2009 2:09:30 PM
+1 Boost
You are forgetting about Cadillac's new image. Performance AND Luxury. FWD would do nothing against the C-class and 3-Series.


neutralneutral - 4/13/2009 3:13:46 PM
+2 Boost
They should base a "sub CTS" model on the Saturn Sky / Solstice platform. 2 engines, 1.4L & 2.0L DI turbos, and AWD. Give it the same treatment they gave the CTS and its a hit. Make sure pricing is right.

Caddy needs an S-class/7series competitor badly, but given the current sales/economic environment a flagship will loose out to a mass market 3-series type.


Type707Type707 - 4/13/2009 11:39:01 PM
+1 Boost
Its the Teflon Don edition. This Caddy's Hot
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