Cadillac Planning More Models Above CT6 Flagship?

Good Luck!

The problem everyone sees is when GM decides to share the platform and powerplants with lesser models like an Impala, "future" caprice or suv.

Then people will notice that the door handles are the same ones from a Buick, or the steering wheel looks like same one found in a Malibu.

But that's just an American way of thinking. You are expecting a European quality for the price of an American car, but that is just not happening.

I don't really see much problems with top end models sharing parts with Buick or Chevy. For me, that's very American.

For years - Mercedes used a GM air conditioner compressor in its high end cars. Both BMW and ROLLS Royce also used General Motors Automatic Transmissions. Today - the same automatic transmission in Chrysler Automobiles - is used in MANY different higher end cars - from Rolls - to Bmw - and lots of others too. Rover used a v-8 engine that was discarded by Buick. Aston Martin uses a v12 based partly on a Ford Designed V6. And Rolls today uses V12s based on BMW engines - as well as cars based on BMW suspensions. Bentley uses VW platforms for some cars.

And it will only become more convoluted in the future as the car market becomes more and more Global - AND makers continue to consolidate their manufacturing "platforms" - which is the only way to survive - especially in niche markets.

@ TomM

Yes, all auto manufacturers use parts from global suppliers. It would be an incredible waste of money, i.e. stupid, for a manufacturer to be completely vertically integrated. Even Ferrari shares parts with Fiat.

The problem becomes more apparent when the price goes above $50k, you name the A8/7-Series/S Class as your benchmark or, in GM's case, you have a history sharing components from budget cars with models with considerable price tags and do nothing to hide it.

It is hard to fault them for that, some makers are doing this quite successfully, Lexus and Audi for example. However I agree, for now Cadillac has to build credibility so any shared component better be invisible and inconsequential. Also build a Cadillac not a Mercedes/Audi/BMW wannabe. They can attract customers with powerful, elegant and beautiful cruisers, make it look like the El Miraj and drive very good, composed, especially long high speed travel.

What I DO fault Cadillac for doing - is abandoning the traditional Luxury car market - for the Premium Sports car market that they are obviously targeting with their " high content but smaller and more athletic (Read that - no rear seat room and no trunk space)"

A new CTS - which actually costs more than a Mercedes E Class - has less space than a COMPACT Toyota Corolla. And for the large number of people who buy Luxury cars for the ride - and space - they have essentially told us to go elsewhere. I cannot see Cadillac actually "dominating" the sport sedan segment (Or even coming close) - but they indeed could take the Luxury car segment in the USA and China. But these "wunderkind" they bring in a focused to tightly on the European market that they forget where the money is in the USA.

I agree w/Tom in part. FYI the new CTS is plenty big, I've had 3 as loaner cars and its a very nice car. I thought the turbo 4 was a tad buzzy but less so than the 250 in the C & E Class. (actually the 250 mill is garbage, noisy, thrashy, and underpowered - not a Mercedes caliber mill IMO). I've also had 3 E Class cars and I like the size, the CTS is nearly identical so, I guess an E Class is the same size as a Toyota Corolla too? You can compare costs but you'll get more content in the CTS. Start with leather a $1700 option in the C/E and std in the ATS & CTS. Folding rear seat +$450 in both the C/E but std in a pkg on the Caddy's. I optioned out a new C Class the other day and with moderate levels of upgrades it was $58K so say what you want about size & cost, but it seems everything is an option on a Mercedes. My wifes new GLK doesn't have the beam headlights, Navigation, backup camera, or leather and it was still stickered about $45K. That's a fully loaded Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland with heated rear seats... but she liked the size of the GLK.

Where we agree is that Cadillac should (IMO) retain some of its "American Luxury" heritage vs trying to be an American BMW. There are a lot of folks that would prefer an American car in that mold.For Decades Cadillac was a car everyone admired and that's a history and heritage to celebrate not ignore or act like never existed. Names are another area they should have differentiated themselves from the others. I am excited though about these new products, its always exciting to see new cars and to have these excellent companies competing for the $$

*think you meant "Camry" - not Corolla

What is "American" luxury? Is that taken to mean all the new vehicles must have some retro/throw-back design element or theme...to remind consumers of the raging 50's or muscle car 60's/70's? Why can't the American auto brands evolve their designs to be comparable to other modern-day designs. Cadillac wants $60k for a loaded CTS, it better look like it was made during the same time period as a new Benz or Audi or BMW or Lexus.

Whenever I hear or see a reference to "American luxury", it somehow feels like it was made to convey inferiority as compared to the UK or European competition. And I think that's how it is literally being used.

Well, it looks like Cadillac is doing great & trying to become "greater". Of course, we're not going to have all the answers today, but we'll just have to be patient to see what they'll do tomorrow.

Ok...GM is acting like movie studios these days - signing off on 2-3 sequels before the 1st film has made a clear or descent introduction.

I'm sure the GM execs are saying - If the CT6 does well, we'll definitely do a more "higher-end" vehicle to maybe cap off what we can really do"

The latest decision from de Nysschen makes little sense b/c we don't even know what the CT6 looks like.

At the very least, GM's 10-yr plan is to have clear defined Cadillac models to compete directly with the major luxury competition. If GM had a vastly better public perception, they have the tech & design experience to make a Rolls Royce/Bentley competitor - they just wouldn't sell well b/c the overall public probably won't accept that kind of product from GM.