Cadillac Steps Down to Challenge Germany's Independent Automaker?

Cadillac Steps Down to Challenge Germany's Independent Automaker?
General Motors might have its hands full getting its North American operations into order and profitability, but signs are it won’t ignore other potentially lucrative areas of its world-wide business.

Witness secret plans AutoWeek uncovered for a new rear-wheel drive entry-level Cadillac slotted beneath the European price leading BLX model. The BLX is a front-drive sedan built by Saab in Sweden and sold throughout Europe.

According to GM product czar Bob Lutz this new small Caddy is among a throng of proposals before the corporation as an internal study aimed at widening Cadillac’s brand appeal and sales potential. This comes following steps taken earlier in the year to raise the profile of GM’s flagship division across Europe.

Lutz points to the popularity of that market segment as a reason why GM is considering a move down market. Such a car would compete against the Audi A3, BMW 1-Series and Mercedes-Benz A class.
Lutz points to the popularity of that market segment as a reason why GM is considering a move down market. Such a car would compete against the Audi A3, BMW 1-Series and Mercedes-Benz A class.




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DutchRobDutchRob - 10/19/2006 2:24:23 PM
-1 Boost
Yeah right...GM...cadillac....cadiCRAP they mean...
It would be in the same class as toyota,honda,etc..


I95SPEEDINGTICKETSI95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 10/19/2006 3:01:11 PM
-1 Boost
^^^^^^^ CADILLAC AKA CRAPILLAC ^^^^^^^^^


BMW530iBMW530i - 10/19/2006 2:31:47 PM
+1 Boost
"Lutz points to the popularity of that market segment as a reason why GM is considering a move down market. Such a car would compete against the Audi A3, BMW 1-Series and Mercedes-Benz A class."
==========================================

These cars are popular for a reason, be it the badge, safety, sportiness and fuel efficiency. The A3, 1-Series and A-Class all stand for something. Cadillac's competitor car will go up against proven cars that enjoy tremendous popularity in Europe. IMHO, I think this thing will be a money blower...just like the BLS.

Who makes these decisions at GM?!!?!?!? :(




AmazingBimmerAmazingBimmer - 10/19/2006 3:22:36 PM
+1 Boost
More likely it will compete with the audi and VWs. BMWs compete with MB and other high end brands.


I95SPEEDINGTICKETSI95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 10/19/2006 3:33:14 PM
+1 Boost
I hope you are not that stupid

Go Build an Audi Online and tell US the Price difference Between an AUDI and a BMW or MB of similar Size.


S4cabriofoxS4cabriofox - 10/19/2006 8:45:49 PM
+1 Boost
Wow, what an ignorant comment.

The Audi A3, Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series are all quite inexpensive. You could easily get a Honda or Toyota for the prices they command, albeit a slightly nicer one.


JacobJacob - 10/19/2006 3:56:04 PM
+2 Boost
I have high hopes for Cadillac.

That one day a German brand will buy them and restore them to greatness.


Terminal10Terminal10 - 10/19/2006 4:18:42 PM
+1 Boost
Who comes up with these ideas? Is GM and Ford staffed by morons in management? Cadillac has come back from the grave but they are not even worthy to change the oil for BMW,Audi,Mercedes Benz.


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 10/19/2006 5:31:40 PM
+2 Boost
not sure whatsup with so much trash on cadillac i personally wouldnt buy one but i recognize they have came along away and overall are gms best, the current model cadillacs sell well, they arent the best in the segment but i will recognize their huge improvements to at least being competitive the cadillac renewal at gm has been one of the smartest moves gm has made cadillac really was dead not to long ago, right about the time infiniti started to clean up its act and it has also come along way. im a bmw man but dont trash cars just because they are american or whatever, or not bmws open to whats good in different brands, think a car in this class for cadillac would be pointless over here but maybe in europe, it would make more sense though to replace the bls not blx with a rear wheel drive small car.


austintysonaustintyson - 10/23/2006 3:13:28 AM
+1 Boost
Just blew up the picture of the drawing of the car posted on here.. its not a Caddy its a Holden.. So this isn't the car Caddy is going to make.. it probably the platform they are going to base it off of..


guns2guns2 - 10/19/2006 7:34:21 PM
+2 Boost
GM is now messing with Cadillac, the one and only successful brand in GM.
They will never be profitable in Europe with this kind of copy-cat attitude!
Clear up the brand image as you always have done and follow your long term strategy. Cadillac is suppose to be an American Image Global Luxury Brand! Volume up your OWN Colour Mr. GreMlin!


Terminal10Terminal10 - 10/19/2006 7:47:00 PM
+1 Boost
I don't trash cars just because they are American I trash cars made by morons like the people who run GM and Ford. I will say that Cadillac has come a long way but think about this they were once one of the gems of the GM brand but because of pitful management over the years they have practically buried themselves if they had sharp people running the company who knows what kind of powerhouse they would have been. Quality has never been a known quanity at GM or Ford and never will as long as upper management continues to drive the company into the ground. I have said this more or less in other posts the Vette, Mustang and Camaro are all nice cars but most of what GM and Ford churn out is junk. Its not because of the UAW either they just are doing a job directed to them from upper management.


rockerrocker - 10/20/2006 6:04:54 PM
+1 Boost
Those are the only 2 American car companies.


S4cabriofoxS4cabriofox - 10/19/2006 8:46:12 PM
+1 Boost
It's the BLS, not the BLX, AutoWeek.


BMW530iBMW530i - 10/20/2006 8:37:38 AM
+1 Boost
I think Cadillac should focus on the US market and no other market. Cadillac was always a luxury brand that appealed to Americans and Americans only. Globally, you'll find very little appeal or desire for their cars. Maybe some old classics, but the modern Cadillac's, as improved as they are, just don't really cut it against the competition IMHO.

So, focus on the US and abandon Europe. Period.


2JZSoarer2JZSoarer - 10/21/2006 1:40:59 AM
0 Boost
If you drive a Cadillac look at your self in the mirror and it will look like you aged 10 years in one day !!!Cadillac,America's version of a Mercedes Benz!!



BMW530iBMW530i - 10/21/2006 7:37:29 AM
+1 Boost
Don't forget LEXUS.


austintysonaustintyson - 10/23/2006 3:09:26 AM
+1 Boost
What gets me is people keep trashing Caddy like it was still 1985 or even 1995. Caddy has come a long way in a short time. And maybe one day they could be the standard of the world again. But even if they got to that point I don't think some of these people would give them the credit. But time will tell. At least one thing you can say about the New Caddy is they are trying and thats alot better than they used to do.
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