Cadillac Feels The ELR Failed Because In Was A Niche Market Vehicle - Was It Just That?

The ELR failed for a variety of reasons. The first generation Volt was rushed to market and it showed. Throwing a Cadillac body on the Volt and doubling the price was asinine. Had they thrown the Cadillac body on and priced it at $45K, it would have gotten traction.

If I were GM, I'd do a sedan off the Volt's platform and create a Buick Electra. That notion has been widely spoken by others as well.

Sorry - but while I agree with you about the association with the Volt - The main reason why the ELR failed was the lack of market - due to 1 - Lower gas prices AND - 2 - Lack of perception of being a Cadillac.

Cadillac was never good at selling small cars - and they still aren't. The current ATS and CTS are class leading vehicles that simply are not "Cadillacs".
THe Escalade represents everything that Cadillac owners want in a vehicle - it is VERY LARGE, Ostentatious, and a statement. (The statement is - I can afford it). The New CT6 is more of the same - smaller - tighter - but NOT a Cadillac. THere was a time when the Cadillac was the Biggest and most Luxurious - they we not smaller - sports sedans that ride like tanks if you can get in them.

The fact is - when Cadillac came out with a "Smaller" model - they made it look more like a Rolls. Their cars were silent inside - rode surprisingly well on reasonable roads - and were the epitome of American Luxury.

Now - they are NOT that. And an idiot from Europe is so caught up with competing with other sports sedans - that he has abandoned almost the Entire Cadillac Market - except for the two he would rather not have - the XT5/SRX and the Escalade - which are the sales leaders. That man has already announced that it will take decades to bring Cadillac back to being a leader - and I agree - it depends on how many decades Mary Bara wastes before replacing him.

@TomM sorry, but you clearly know NOTHING about marketing. When the ELR arrived, its base price was a good $20K higher than other Caddies on the lot and that was a leap too far for the brand.

The ELR died because of Phaetonitis which is a deadly disease where the customer says "No car from X brand should cost that much."

Tom makes some good points. The Escalade is what they desire their entire lineup to resemble, that is terrific customer perspective, incentive free sales and top of the segment pricing. Perhaps a problem their having is they needed the flagship FIRST then the cars that follow would be perceived as aspirational cars to get to the Flagship, cars that would be compared to the Flagship -vs- "me too" smaller vehicles meant to be compared to their competition. In the case of the latter why buy the "me too" when you can buy the original? You can't have a lineup of huge sedans but you can position them properly. Other huge issues Cadillac still has is pathetic dealers and customer service and the other is I think quality. I have a 2013 ATS 3.6 Premium and I've just received my, I think?, 7th or 8th recall notice. The car stickered for $49K and its been recalled 7 or 8 times... I've never had a car at ANY price recalled even one time that I can remember let alone this many times. I am very glad the car was leased. That is not what you want your customers to feel, relief they didn't buy the car!

It failed because it was priced double ($90K) of where it should have been $49,000. It should have been Cadillac's least expensive vehicle

Half of the Cadillac models aren't selling well because they don't make sense for Cadillac (they'd have made sense as a Pontiac Grand Prix and Bonneville, maybe). The ELR has the same problem, and then along with that a hilarious sticker price for what the car actually offers.

The ATS and CTS may be priced kind of OK (just kidding, they are overpriced because the "Cadillac" shield isn't worth anything on them), but the ELR is way out of its league in that price range. Almost anyone who would consider a "premium" electric vehicle is going to pay just a bit more for the Model S which has 1000x the awesomeness factor of an ELR.

Cadillac can be a very interesting brand for GM. Sadly, Ellinghaus is a complete nitwit, as is de Nysschen. They honestly can't be replaced soon enough.

CADI DEMOGRAPHICS ARE

1. OVER 95 YRS OLD
2. LESS THAN A HS EDUCATION
3. SELL DRUGS
4. USE DRUGS
5. LIBERALS UAW/EXECUTIVE EMPLYOEES
6. SLEPT WITH THEIR SISTER/MOM/DAD
7. DRINK ALCHOL FROM A BOX
8. FINE DINING IS CHEESECAKE FACTORY
9. QUALITY INN IS THEIR HOTEL
10. THEY WANT TO DIE DRIVING A CADI(GM POS) IN FLAMES!

I find that when people spew ignorant and hateful comments it comes from their own insecurities as if a car could make you a better person.

What manufacturer gets your money? (Just curious)

My friend wanted to buy one but there was NO sun roof available. Why? Becuase the geniuses at Cadillac stuffed the roof with heavy batteries! Duh...