Is Cadillac's BIGGEST Problem Itself? You Have To SEE This To Believe IT...

I have to admit it but some of General Motors' vehicles have come a long way. That doesn't mean that GM is crushin' it; however, the company gets props where it does deliver excellent products.

As I've been making note in recent years, GM is great at building high-performance products. The C7 Corvette, the all-new Camaro, the Cadillac ATS-V and CTS-V, etc., etc.

And even with the all-new CT6, it is a pretty impressive vehicle. Sure, its interior could be a tad nicer and, yes, its exterior styling could go an all-new direction from Art & Science — Elmiraj, Ciel, anyone?

Oh, and it could priced a bit more aggressively without using the 'ol four-cylinder-powered option trick.

But one thing that shouldn't be overlooked is Cadillac's brand. Much like Buick, perhaps that's one of the things holding the company's products back. Why else would someone take what is, arguably, the organization's most technologically advanced product to date and apply a Landau top to it?

Just a thought, but if the company was turning out sexy and interesting vehicles, would anyone even consider doing this? Is Cadillac's image one of the BIGGEST issues holding back the American luxury icon?

MDarringer - 6/29/2017 8:48:57 AM

-5 Boost

Put some twenny fous on it and do a drive by, yo.

dumpsty - 6/29/2017 11:36:21 AM

+3 Boost

...your credibility is going downhill on every new post you comment on. Just stick to comments relating to the vehicles & brands.

cidflekken - 6/29/2017 2:41:45 PM

+1 Boost

Bahaha. One of the rare times I know where Darringer is coming from. This is a perfect example of American tackiness. There is still a significant faction of our population that loves this kind of ish. And let's not forget that there are companies that are charging money to do this to cars.

MDarringer - 6/29/2017 4:11:39 PM

0 Boost

@cidflekken Bingo!

Vette71 - 6/29/2017 9:58:49 AM

+2 Boost

The geezer market is still there but getting smaller by the day. This picture is likely a one off done by a shop for one of he remaining geezers.

mre30 - 6/29/2017 10:13:45 AM

+2 Boost

NY-area (and perhaps Florida) Cadillac dealers will usually have one modified XTS or CT6 in the store at any given time. The mods are usually done locally I think. Its all about taking the customer's money.

Believe it or not, this is one of the more tasteful versions. The black and white is not terrible. Some of the more garish ones are red-white-blue and white-gold with the aforementioned chrome rims and 'Vogue' tires (which by the way are cheapo-Firestones that are re-stamped as Vogue with the gold-wall).

This one could have been a lot worse. At least it does not have the gold package.

TheSteve - 6/29/2017 10:30:53 AM

0 Boost

re: "Is Cadillac's image one of the BIGGEST issues holding back the American luxury icon?"

There are several things that makes Caddy not even in the running when I'm shopping for a new vehicle:

- Don't like their styling, inside or out. In a BIG way!

- Made by GM, bankrupt once, and not knowns for their lack of defects, durability, lack of rust, high quality fit and finish, etc.

- US automakers are known more for their "brute force" approach (e.g., Mustang, Charger, Demon, Viper) than one of elegant refinement (e.g., Porsche)

- Not known for their respectable fuel economy. I'm not looking for a Prius, but the idea of frequent gas station visits due to lazy engineering does not sit well with me.

These things, and others like them, form a "reputation" in my mind that is not favorable. No car-maker appeals to everyone, not should they try. I guess I'm not the target audience Caddy is aiming for, so my opinion doesn't matter on this.

dumpsty - 6/29/2017 11:45:48 AM

+3 Boost

I see all the Cadillac concepts & wonder what went wrong in the design approval chain along the way to the production model. I do appreciate the design & tech advances the brand has made to the lineup, but they always seem to go 80% of the way....and then just kinda give up or settle with the ho-hum average-joe final designs.

Cadillac takes only the minimal risks & let it's aging customer base feed off the basic stuff they make from year-to-year. Granted the Vsport & V-series trim levels are very competitive vehicles...Cadillac just seems like it can do a lot better.

And b/c the brand isn't a "winner" globally, it's not necessary the "luxury standard" to truly aspire to own - like say a Merc-Maybach S-class or RR Ghost, etc.

MDarringer - 6/29/2017 4:12:28 PM

+2 Boost

Yes it is.

xjug1987a - 6/30/2017 11:55:41 AM

0 Boost

I completely agree w Matt on the 76 Seville (make mine an Elegante' w genuine wire wheels) that might have been a Nova platform but they created a classic car! Then follow that up w a 2017 version of the Eldorado! Use names!!!!

TomM - 6/29/2017 5:09:10 PM

+3 Boost

That depends of what you consider Cadillac to be.

Their problem is that they are being led by an Idiot who has failed to see that the cars they produced no longer have current style - the arts/science having long ago run its course - AND the packaging of the products is terrible - in general smaller than its competitors.

Lincoln proved - way back in 1961 - that Styling could sell cars - which Harley Earl and GM proved years before. However - American Motors also proved that bad styling can bankrupt car makers - and Cadillac has neither. Their cars today - especially my CT6 - are innocuous at best - but show no real leadership in styling. My CT6 is a very good car - but most do not even see it as a Cadillac.

IF Cadillac had produced the El Miraj or the Escala - this thread would not be happening - and people would actually WANT a Cadillac.

MDarringer - 6/29/2017 8:30:27 PM

-1 Boost

I absolutely agree. Cadillacs these days are great cars, but they are better Buicks than actual Buicks. Early feedback from Continental buyers reaffirms that traditional American opulence can still work. Cadillacs don't have to be floaty, vinyl-topped boats, but trying to be "European" is their error.

I'd love to see the 1976 Seville reimagined for 2020 complete with the formal roofline and marketed as a Seville.

The Escala should be their coupesedan EV.

Elmiraj should be their large car and it should be a no-excuses challenge to the S Class even if Cadillac loses money on each one.

Throw in Escalade, Avalade, Cavalcade, Gatorade crossovers and call it good.

VinBoyBlue - 6/30/2017 1:13:57 AM

+1 Boost

Yes Cadillac's name is a curse, which why many call it Caddy. Cadillac sound too much like cataract and that is mostly associated with getting older. As for design we all know brands have faces that look alike, but Caddy's, is too angular that is stretched across the board and with the egg crate grill is just too bland. They need to reinvent itself, and stop with the roof design that blends into the trunk. It makes it look like a long hatch back.

carloslassiter - 6/30/2017 7:23:52 AM

0 Boost

Sounds like all Cadillac needs to do is tap into the abundant marketing expertise that flows on this site every few minutes like BS at a cocktail party.

Here's Cadillac's problem: Everyone knows they are a rebadged and reskinned Chevy, and no one in their right mind is going to pay a premium for that crap. It's over. They can still slap some cars together and sell them to some aged fools, but the long term outlook is that this brand can't compete.

Firewombat - 7/1/2017 5:28:12 AM

+2 Boost

Tony Soprano called...