Category Archives: Cadillac Models

How can Cadillac Succeed at Marketing the new Smaller-than-a-CTS?

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With the success in sales of the Cadillac CTS from 2003 forward, Cadillac has slowly moved this model upstream.  Although originally entry level CTS models sold for just under US$30K, most examples on Dealer lots now are in the high 30s to mid 40s.    Cadillac plans to slide in a new car in 2010 that is a bit smaller than the CTS, and a bit less pricey.  To make room for the new line, the price of the CTS has gone up a bit.  The new Cadillac has not been publicly named yet.  I am voting for it to be called the Cadillac αTS, for Alpha Touring Sedan.  I would make the A a Greek Alpha to signify that this is a special car.

When the Automotive press thinks of an inexpensive Cadillac, especially perhaps one with a 4-cylinder engine, they immediately yell CIMARRON!!!  The Cimarron basis was a Chevrolet Citation that was optioned up and rebadged as a  Cadillac.  It was not an inspiring car to begin with, and it was not a great car with a Cadillac badge on it.

Okay, so we have a business story on how not to execute the design and marketing for the new car.  But where is a good plan for how TO do it?  I suggest that Cadillac should consider the BMW 135i.    It continues to suffer from Bangle design, but look at other facets of the model.    As the top of the 1-line, it got the same 3L 300hp twin-turbo engine as the 335i.  The interior is high quality and well laid out.   From the driver’s seat of a 135i one can not tell that you are not in a 335i or 5, 6, or 7 series BMW.  The 135 FEELS like a BMW and shares a lot of interior styling cues with the rest of the line.  The 135i has full entertainment, leather, and navigation features of the larger BMWs.

How does the 135i fall down?  It is pricey, at $35k.  The 128i is the price leader for this model, so okay I guess.  Also, $35K is not as much as it used to be.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I feel the small BMW is challenged there.  The small size may have contributed to it looking like it does, but ugly is also something I hope Cadillac avoids in the new model.  Especially since the Cadillac will actually be the size of the larger 335i and not the 135i.

So what is the message?  Sure, bring us an alpha-chasis Cadillac that is lighter and more agile.  Offer it with a 4-cylinder turbo that gets good performance and mileage (a la 128i).  But give us the option of the big engines in the small car if that’s what we want, full boat interior touches, and autocross capabilities.  If the new CTS-V is the M5 matchup, please make the new Cadillac αTS the 335i matchup.   Yes, sure, bring high MPG lower performance option models along or along later, but show performance and luxury up front.  Those are what Cadillac is about.

Alpha Cadillac to lead the pack of Entry-level Luxury Cars

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Motor Trend has a short update with a Motortrend? graphic artist depiction of what the upcoming, smaller-than-a-CTS Alpha architecture Cadillac might looks like.  The depiction looks great:

Will the new smaller Cadillac look like this?

Will the new smaller Cadillac look like this?

The alpha platform is a larger variant of the kappa RWD architecture used in the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, and Opel GT. The new car will slot below the CTS in price and size. The new car has not been name officially yet. BTS would match as the B-sized Touring Sedan, but we’ll see what Cadillac’s Marketing folks think will suit. I like “Cadillac Alpha”, with maybe the Greek letter for Alpha shown on the car.   I think there is a lot of marketing mileage in that if it is available.  But the platform names are almost never used as vehicle names.

Cadillac has recently debated in the press whether the world is ready for a 4-cylinder Cadillac again. Powerplants under consideration for the new small Cadillac are the 3.6L V6, the newly-on-the-way 3L V6, perhaps the 2.8L V6 or V6 Turbo, and the 2L I4 Turbo from the kappa cars apparently. A diesel variant using the VM Motori sourced 2.9L Turbo diesel may also come along.

Motor Trend notes we may see a coupe or hardtop convertible of the new car. I say WOOT!!

Cadillac CTS and Meguiar’s NXT Tech Wax, week 2

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More rain today as Hurricane Ike comes ashore south of us.  Hopefully everyone stays safe from the storm.

 

Grabbed this shot of my Cadillac CTS with my Kodak C875 on a tripod.  Looks like the Meguiar’s Tech Wax is still beading up very well after week 2 of real-world use.  The paint feels waxy, silky good to the touch.  Click the image for a close-up link to the larger file.

After another week or so I want to use Meguiar’s Cleaner Wax, then top it with a coat of NXT Tech wax and see how that looks.

The grill medallion to the left is a Heritage Of Ownership medallion.  These are originally ordered by the Sales department at a Cadillac Dealer and presented as a ‘gift’ to the vehicle purchaser.  The number on the medallion indicates the number of Cadillacs you have owned.  In my case the list includes a 1992 Cadillac STS, a 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood (briefly), a 1996 Cadillac STS, and a 2004 Cadillac CTS.  Between my 04 and 05 models I have 75K+ miles in CTS’s now; they have been great cars.

Next time I think I definitely want a sunroof.  I had avoided the sunroof when I got my CTS’s due to the loss of head room and to the extra weight (racer Bruce lol) an (cough) cost.   I think a sunroof can add a lot to the enjoyment of the Cadillac though, so if my next Cadillac is not an XLR (hardtop convertible) then it will definitely have a sunroof.