Author Archives: bwnunnally

About bwnunnally

Bruce Nunnally is an independent Blogger who writes Cadillac Conversations on all things Cadillac. Connect with Bruce on Google+

New Escalades Fueled Cadillac November Sales

Posted on by
Reply

Even the mighty SRX could not keep pace for November, but Escalade sales were up a nice 91.5% (notes reflect deliveries up 75%).

The ELR continues over 1K sold, so there’s a milestone for the Electric Cadillac.

  November (Calendar Year-to-Date)
January – November
  2014 2013 %Change Volume   2014 2013 %Change Volume
ATS 2,282 3,443 -33.7   27,425 34,432 -20.4
CTS 2,446 2,643 -7.5   28,463 29,126 -2.3
ELR 155 0 ***.*   1,192 0 ***.*
Escalade 2,106 1,100 91.5   17,201 11,122 54.7
Escalade ESV 1,128 651 73.3   9,528 7,175 32.8
Escalade EXT 3 95 -96.8   53 1,906 -97.2
SRX 3,331 4,823 -30.9   48,679 50,702 -4.0
XTS 1,697 3,417 -50.3   22,059 29,889 -26.2
Cadillac Total* 13,148 16,172 -18.7   154,600 164,378 -5.9

Otherwise hard to see much good news for Cadillac sales in November.  The ATS Coupe is just hitting dealers, so that will help going forward.

Cadillac Notes from the Release:

Cadillac:

  • Cadillac Escalade deliveries were up 75 percent, with the retail days supply very tight at 16 days.

  • Sales of the CTS sedan increased 18 percent.

The Backstory of Cadillac’s New Massage Chairs

Posted on by
Reply

Cadillac XTS, Escalade offer seats that knead and roll to relieve stress

cq5dam.web.1280.1280DETROIT – No time today to make it to the spa or schedule a visit with the massage therapist, no problem. On two 2015 models, Cadillac is offering front driver and passenger seats that can knead, roll and relax your back as you drive. An anti-fatigue option is also offered for the driver.

The 22-way adjustable heated and ventilated seats now have a luxury option with a massage seat that works in the upper shoulder area, back lumbar or cushion.

“Many Americans have the common misconception that massage is just a luxurious way to relax. The benefits of massage are actually wide-ranging, especially for those that work that monotonous daily grind behind a desk or the wheel of car,” said Dr. Leena S. Guptha, board chair, National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.

While the seat is unable to provide the same experience as a trained practitioner, it can at least offer some comfort for a driver and passenger.

“This feature gives customers another way to improve their drive,” said Elizabeth Hayes, General Motors engineering group manager. “Once a massage setting is stored, a driver simply has to push the button and engage the luxury option. It is our goal to always find ways to make getting from point A to point B a little more pleasant.”

How it works
The massage seats’ settings can be stored in the car’s memory like the seat positions. With a toggle switch or activation button, both on the outboard base of the seats, the driver and front seat passenger can direct the illustration of adjustments on the infotainment screen. The desired massage and intensity can both be controlled from the screen.

Once the optimal massage is found, the driver can save the kneading, rolling or anti-fatigue setting by pressing the memory button on the door. Reactivation can then occur by simply pushing the button on the seat base.

The massage seat is available on the XTS Premium and Platinum Collections and on the Escalade Platinum Collection.

About The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB)

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) is an independent, private, nonprofit organization that fosters the highest standards of ethical and professional practice through a nationally-recognized Board Certification credential. NCBTMB’s Board Certification is the highest voluntary credential attainable in the massage therapy and bodywork profession, demonstrating a deeper commitment to the profession, the public, and employers with more education, hands-on experience, passing a thorough background check, and maintaining a current CPR certification. NCBTMB’s Board Certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certified Agencies (NCCA)—a national, non-governmental, public protection and standards-setting organization. For more information on NCBTMB or Board Certification, please visit www.ncbtmb.org.

Upcoming Top-End Product Named Cadillac CT6

Posted on by
1

CT6.  So the new large Cadillac is like a 6-Series BMW, and the current CTS should be renamed CT5?  And the ATS can be a CT3?  Hmmmm

DETROIT – Cadillac announced today that its new, high-technology car positioned at the top of its range will be called Cadillac CT6.

“The Cadillac CT6 continues our brand’s elevation and global growth,” said Uwe Ellinghaus, Cadillac chief marketing officer. “CT6 will constitute an entirely new approach to the prestige sedan, emphasizing a dynamic driving experience and advanced technology.”

When it launches in late-2015, the CT6 will expand the Cadillac range upwards – meaning it will not replace any current product. Positioned above today’s CTS and XTS product lines, the CT6 aims to join the elite group of top-class large luxury cars.

Currently in development, the new RWD-oriented sedan uses advanced, lightweight materials and new body construction techniques to reduce fuel consumption while enhancing driving dynamics and safety.

“This Cadillac will be the lightest and most agile car in the class of top-level large luxury sedans,” said Travis Hester, executive chief engineer, Cadillac CT6. “Using the lessons learned from our dynamic ATS and CTS product lines, we have developed an entirely new vehicle architecture for the CT6. It will employ a mixed material philosophy that combines the best and most efficient components optimized for each area of this new top-of-the-range car.”

The model name CT6 is derived from Cadillac’s use of CTS for its centerpiece carline, the current version of which is Motor Trend Car of the Year for 2014, Road & Track’s Best Luxury Sedan and one of Car and Driver’s “10Best.” The name also indicates a coming shift to a simplified naming convention for future Cadillac models. Under this strategy, familiar lettering like “CT” would be used for car models, with the number indicating the relative size and position of the cars in the hierarchy of Cadillac models.

“As we expand the portfolio, we can assist consumers in placing the cars within a structure, as they compare cars both within our showroom and across the market generally,” Ellinghaus said. “However, this will be an evolutionary process – we will only change a product’s name when the product itself is redesigned or an all-new model is created, as in this instance.”

The Cadillac CT6 will be assembled in Detroit, part of a previously announced $384 million investment in the Detroit-Hamtramck plant. Tools and equipment unique to the CT6 were installed recently at the plant. Production is slated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2015.