MotorTrend: GM Has Approved Cadillac Converj And Electric Buick Crossover For Production

MotorTrend: GM Has Approved Cadillac Converj And Electric Buick Crossover For Production
Bob Lutz told GM-Volt.com at the time that he wanted the car to be produced and even acknowledged that the clay models had been built and that its design had the necessary aerodynamics to achieve the 40 mile range. He also noted the car would cost “about two Volts”.
According to MotorTrend, GM has approved moving the car into production. Also the report cites unidentified GM sources as saying that GM also has approved an as yet unseen 7-seat people-mover/crossover as the third Voltec car, most likely under the Buick brand.
The Converj is to be launched in 2011 as a 2012 model and will remain a 2-door coupe.
The Buick is likely to be based on the Chevy Orlando which shares the same compact Delta platform as the Volt. It is a compact yet spacious vehilce that can either haul cargo or easily seat 7, and could likely readily be adapted to the Voltec drivetrain.
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HSCenterconsoleHSCenterconsole - 4/15/2009 10:58:26 AM
+1 Boost
UAW:
"Sell" not "Sale."

I don't think a market exists for Cadillac's priced higher than the CTS honestly. The STS is a slow seller. The DTS is ancient and embarrassing (FWD and a 4AT). And we know the XLR has been anything but successful.


PlanBPlanB - 4/15/2009 9:53:32 AM
+2 Boost
Since it looks more likely GM will just have Chevy and Caddy around, they'll need more a few more vehicles in their lineup and this one will do nicely for Caddy.


LauderdaleDriverLauderdaleDriver - 4/15/2009 3:20:49 PM
0 Boost
I think Buick/GMC/Pontiac is here to stay, essentially as a single brand. Buick Cars/GMC Trucks/Pontiac sports cars. Toyota has three sales channels, why not GM?

The Converj is a very attractive car, and one that Cadillac needs, as a smaller model.


fatandsassyfatandsassy - 4/15/2009 9:57:01 AM
+3 Boost
Cost about 2 volts? How much is that?


EducatedOpinion365EducatedOpinion365 - 4/15/2009 1:30:26 PM
+1 Boost
That still doesn't mean we are going to get it....i mean not to ruin anyones party lol. but with the way GM is financially things chenge 4 them evry day.........we'll have to wait and see..(suspenseful music)...........


roundwegoroundwego - 4/15/2009 10:08:13 AM
+1 Boost
They wil all sell, would you like to know why. Americans and Canadians are fickle. Gas prices won't remain low and when they do go up people will freak out like they always do and go on a mass buying spree for fuel efficient cars. People will be so pissed they will seee a car that goes 40 miles using know gas and gobble it up.


inspirion7inspirion7 - 4/15/2009 10:30:53 AM
+1 Boost
This car needs to be larger and have more capacity than the Volt. Being on a shared platform, it can be lengthen to feel more luxurious (leg room and center accommodations). I don't want to feel like I'm sitting inside a Volt. I love the idea of the Volt and can't wait for it to be here, but a Cadillac is a Cadillac and it should feel like it.


BigShow50BigShow50 - 4/15/2009 11:49:07 AM
+3 Boost
Motor Trend(bunch of "TITS ON A BOAR!") needs to get their facts straight, because GM is no where close to approving the production of either vehicles..."actual confirmed information!"


t_sotellot_sotello - 4/15/2009 12:22:34 PM
0 Boost
THEY CAN SELL THE CADDY FOR 20K MORE AND MAKE SOME PROFIT JUST CAUSE IT SAYS CADILLAC. JUST ADD SOME NAMEPLATE AND A LITTLE NICER INTERIOR AND THEY CAN MAKE SOME PROFITS ON THIS ELECTRIC LINE UP. THATS JUST ONE THING I WOULD DO IF I WAS RUNNING GM.


HSCenterconsoleHSCenterconsole - 4/15/2009 12:36:59 PM
+2 Boost
"THEY CAN SELL THE CADDY FOR 20K MORE AND MAKE SOME PROFIT JUST CAUSE IT SAYS CADILLAC. "

Do you not remember the Cadillac Cimmaron? GM made that exact mistake and it really hurt the brand.


0to600to60 - 4/15/2009 1:13:15 PM
+4 Boost
many accuse Lexus and Audi of doing the same thing. If I just said Lexus this comment would get boosted 1 million times. Cuz I said Audi I will face a deboost or 2.


pushrod27pushrod27 - 4/15/2009 1:26:43 PM
0 Boost
Platform sharing can work if done properly. It works quite well for Toyota/Lexus and VW/Audi. The Cimarron was bad because a.)they didn't do enough to differentiate it and b.)the Cavalier was a shitty car to begin with. If you begin with a quality car and then give it the genuine look and feel of a luxury car, then it works.
I think it's a good idea to make a luxury coupe Cadillac variant of the Volt sedan. If it looks like that and the interior is executed properly, then it well sell for a premium price.
Cadillac should discontinue the current DTS and STS. With the right body styling and interior design, the Pontiac G8 would make a suitable Cadillac flagship sedan. It's wheelbase is long and it's interior is very roomy. A high quality soft-leather and wood interior draped in Cadillac sheetmetal with a slightly softer suspension on that G8 would be a great car... Imagine a CTS with the G8's back seat room.


kpaxxkpaxx - 4/15/2009 2:13:14 PM
+3 Boost
True luxury cars are purpose built and not rebadged; this is one factor that garners heritage and prestige!


inspirion7inspirion7 - 4/15/2009 3:00:45 PM
-1 Boost
"True luxury cars are purpose built and not rebadged; this is one factor that garners heritage and prestige!"

That is true IF the company can afford a platform. Rebadged vehicles are different than platform sharing. The Volt is a premium vehicle within the Chevy line. GM should have thought this through and started the whole voltec project with the Converj, then trade down tech to the Volt. Toyota is good at platform sharing, GM has gotten better at it.


LauderdaleDriverLauderdaleDriver - 4/15/2009 3:27:21 PM
+1 Boost
Don't kid yourselves, EVERYBODY is doing platform sharing, with the exception of BMW, and you can bet they are looking for joint venture partners for some chasis (Fiat for the next Mini?) Rolls is built on the BMW 7 chassis.

One of the reasons for the Daimler Chrysler fiasco was Mercedes unwillingness to come up with ways to share platforms. Lexus does this just fine, and Infinit/Nissan/Renault are masters.




Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 4/15/2009 3:46:28 PM
0 Boost
You just contradicted yourself with BMW...


DenaliDenali - 4/15/2009 4:50:53 PM
+1 Boost
True luxury cars are purpose built and not rebadged; this is one factor that garners heritage and prestige!

what about upcoming Rolls and Maybachs???
LMAO @ stretch S-klasse and 7er...FACT


LexSucksLexSucks - 4/16/2009 10:39:15 AM
0 Boost
But the originating cars still have prestige. A rebadged BMW doesn't sound bad. It's still a BMW. Unlike....


VeeracerVeeracer - 4/16/2009 5:52:17 PM
0 Boost
GM is just plain ignorant. The Volt won't be available until this fall...GM doesn't know if it will be a good seller....yet they give the green light to create a Caddy version. Just offer more options and upgrades to the Volt to create a luxury version and save the tooling costs for the Cad version.


2007Tahoe2007Tahoe - 4/16/2009 6:42:28 PM
+1 Boost
Um.. GM actually didn't approve this thing, sadly.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=146068
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