Parting Of Ways: de Nysschen Wanted To Build An Iconic Brand But GM Wanted Cadillac Sales First

General Motors, seeking a faster turnaround at its flagship luxury brand, appointed Steve Carlisle president of Cadillac, replacing Johan de Nysschen, who is leaving the automaker immediately.

De Nysschen, 58, was overseeing a $12 billion plan to expand Cadillac's product lineup and was given unprecedented freedom, including moving the venerable luxury brand's headquarters out of Detroit to New York City and operating separately from GM’s core brands.

De Nysschen, in an interview Wednesday with Bloomberg News, said he left amicably and declined to go into details on what prompted his departure.

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malba2367 - 4/19/2018 10:51:42 AM

+5 Boost

Bad move by GM. They want sales now and they are going back to their old strategy of lightly rehashed GM models. With that strategy their competitive set is Acura/Lexus not the Germans. They had better come up with something good for the next Escalade or they will have some big problems.

TomM - 4/19/2018 2:57:30 PM

+3 Boost

I do NOT agree.

The problem with Cadillac when DeNysschen took over - is that HIS vision (He actually said so) was a Cadillac that could compete in EUROPE - and In order to do that - he simply - openly - and verbally - abandoned the long term buyers in both USA and CHINA - GMs top two markets - to produce cars that - not surprisingly did not even sell in Europe. This man had the audacity to say that Cadillac would sell HIS vision of product - and the people would have to adapt to that!!!!!!

I has been a long term truth of business - that you give the CUSTOMER what they want. WHo wanted these SMALL cars? - they were even smaller than their competition in Europe. THe rear seat in both the CTS and ATS are no better than package shelving suitable for children with no legs. The packaging of the interior of the cars simply did not work in the US or China (Where they even produced a LONG version of the ATS to help that). Yes - they really did handle well - but Mercedes never abandoned its S class buyers in order to produce Sports Sedans.

And YES - they have BIG problems -because the next product they have - and there are quite a few - were led by DeNysschen - again targeting European product - where they barely sell - instead of US and CANADA - where they COULD sell them if they were suitable.

Obviously Cadillac sold BIG cars - and in both china (WHere Luxury cars are driven by Chauffeurs) and the USA - they prefer LOTS of rear space for the people who BUY THEM. IN addition - Cadillac had a visual presence that could be instantly recognized - the Arts and Science styling ran its course years ago. BUT I do not agree on making the Escala - with the Hatchback - another thing that does not sell in Luxury Vehicles. Frankly - I would go backward to the Ciel and El Miraj for a Halo car.

And then I would use the Omega Platform or its successor - the CT6 - to make a full size Luxury Crossover - that is not based on the same platform as a Chevy Traverse - which is a mistake(No V8 as well).

Imagine a Large Cadillac - the size of a Mercedes Maybach - with the New V-8 - with really IMPRESSIVE styling - a luxurious and very Quiet interior - and Styling more like the class Cadillac Once was - every bit equal to Rolls Royce!

MDarringer - 4/19/2018 10:17:01 PM

0 Boost

De Nysschen needed to go.

He was antagonistic to dealers.

He hates Cadillac's customer base.

He actually made Cadillac WORSE off with the stupid renaming and the XT4--the first vehicle 100% under his watch--is a total dud for looks. Not ugly but not game-changing.

Maybe Alfa Romeo can hire him.