The new 2010 Cadillac SRX comes in 6 colors and 2 premium colors (available at extra charge):
Cadillac SRX in Radiant Silver:
Cadillac SRX in Gold Mist:
Cadillac SRX in Imperial Blue:
Cadillac SRX in Black Raven:
Cadillac SRX in Caribbean Blue:
Cadillac SRX in Gray Flannel:
And two premium colors:
Cadillac SRX in Crystal Red Tintcoat:
Cadillac SRX in Platinum Ice Tricoat:
For more information, and to build your own, please see the official Cadillac SRX site.
I hear some chatter on the social networks that the Cadillac SRX seems the same as the Saturn Vue. They are not the same, and I would like to explain how they differ:
1) Chassis: The new Cadillac SRX is on an evolved Theta platform, sometimes referred to as a premium Theta-Epsilon Chassis, and has a 110.5″ wheelbase. The Vue is on the original Theta chassis and has a 106″ wheelbase.
Differences: more premium components in the Cadillac, Cadillac is longer wheelbase for better ride and more interior space.
Cadillac SRX 2010 Chassis
2) Powertrain: The new Cadillac SRX offers either a 3L Direct Injected DOHV VVT LF1 V6, or a 2.8L Turbo DI V6. The Vue offers a variety of engines, the 2.4L LE5 I4, 2.4L LAT I4, 3.5L LZ4 V6, 3.6L LY7 V6, or 3.6L LCS V6.
Differences: The two vehicles have different engine choices available; both of the Cadillac choices are more powerful, premium engines.
Cadillac SRX 3L V6
3) Exterior: Visually the Cadillac SRX and the Saturn Vue share the same configuration of any mid-size SUV, or CUV.
Differences: The Cadillac SRX clearly shows modern Cadillac styling with sharper features, and a more formal, elegant appearance.
Cadillac SRX 2010
2009 Saturn Vue Red Line
Conclusion: The Cadillac SRX is on a different, premium chassis, offers different, more powerful engines, and looks visually different — more appealing than a Saturn Vue.
Next article: “How Beyoncé is different from Bon Jovi” (kidding)
The 2009 October numbers for Cadillac look challenging for cars, and very good for Cadillac SUVs. The DTS sales were up for the month, so let’s lead with a DTS photo:
TexasJim's 2006 DTS Performance Sedan © Bruce W. Nunnally
Here are the production numbers just for Cadillac:
| October | (Calendar Year-to-Date) | ||||||||
| January – October | |||||||||
| Cars | 2009 | 2008 | % Chg Volume | %Chg per S/D | 2009 | 2008 | %Chg Volume | ||
| Selling Days (S/D) | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | |||||
| CTS | 2921 | 3997 | -26.9 | -29.5 | 31932 | 51476 | -38 | ||
| DTS | 1896 | 1590 | 19.2 | 15 | 14021 | 27380 | -48.8 | ||
| STS | 355 | 632 | -43.8 | -45.8 | 5398 | 13253 | -59.3 | ||
| XLR | 49 | 52 | -5.8 | -9.1 | 689 | 1091 | -36.8 | ||
| Cadillac Total | 5221 | 6271 | -16.7 | -19.7 | 52040 | 93200 | -44.2 | ||
| Trucks | |||||||||
| Escalade | 2127 | 1556 | 36.7 | 31.8 | 13118 | 19275 | -31.9 | ||
| Escalade ESV | 599 | 533 | 12.4 | 8.4 | 5206 | 9076 | -42.6 | ||
| Escalade EXT | 178 | 265 | -32.8 | -35.2 | 2015 | 3779 | -46.7 | ||
| SRX | 3477 | 916 | 279.6 | 266 | 12247 | 13779 | -11.1 | ||
| Cadillac Total | 6381 | 3270 | 95.1 | 88.2 | 32586 | 45909 | -29 | ||
The good news is that the SRX sales are blooming. Cadillac has a good hit on their hands and is playing to the right audience with this new model. The Escalade Full-size SUV is also doing well. This likely reflects the current moderate fuel prices, since SUV sales suffer with high fuel prices. Overall truck sales are up 88% over the same month last year.
© GM Corp
The bad news is the CTS sales are down. This is especially disappointing as it includes CTS Sport Wagon numbers, since the Sport Wagon is in Dealer showrooms now. DTS sales are up 15%, which brings overall Cadillac car sales to only 20% behind last year. The STS and XLR are both on their way out of production.
So Cadillac sold 1,050 fewer cars, and 3,111 additional trucks in Oct, 2009 compared to Oct, 2008, or a total of 2,061 more vehicles this year than last year for the month of October. Overall that seems a good result. If the SRX is siphoning some CTS sales that’s fine, as long as the overall sales numbers for Cadillac grow, which they have, increasing by 22% compared to last October.
Comparative BMW October sales by model: [Reuters]
Sales BMW of North America, LLC, October 2009
Oct. Oct. YTD Oct. YTD Oct.
09 08 % 09 08 %
1 Series 501 1,173 -57.3% 9,453 10,453 -9.6%
3 Series 8,239 9,059 -9.1% 75,459 97,329 -22.5%
Z4 486 455 6.8% 2,792 5,464 -48.9%
5 Series 3,043 3,958 -23.1% 32,733 39,289 -16.7%
6 Series 152 454 -66.5% 3,207 5,627 -43.0%
7 Series 1,209 1,096 10.3% 7,159 11,021 -35.0%
BMW passenger cars 13,630 16,195 -15.8% 130,803 169,183 -22.7%
------------------ ------ ------ ----- ------- ------- -----
X3 182 1,294 -85.9% 5,280 15,914 -66.8%
X5 2,137 2,358 -9.4% 20,787 27,021 -23.1%
X6 494 356 38.8% 3,796 3,718 2.1%
BMW light trucks
(SAVs) 2,813 4,008 -29.8% 29,863 46,653 -36.0%
---------------- ----- ----- ----- ------ ------ -----
BMW brand 16,443 20,203 -18.6% 160,666 215,836 -25.6%
--------- ------ ------ ----- ------- ------- -----
Cooper /S Hardtop 2,309 3,539 -34.8% 24,248 31,226 -22.3%
Cooper /S
Convertible 465 62 650.0% 5,395 4,760 13.3%
Cooper /S Clubman 1,402 1,671 -16.1% 9,529 9,980 -4.5%
MINI brand 4,176 5,272 -20.8% 39,172 45,966 -14.8%
---------- ----- ----- ----- ------ ------ -----
TOTAL BMW of North
America, LLC 20,619 25,475 -19.1% 199,838 261,802 -23.7%
------------------ ------ ------ ----- ------- ------- -----
The SRX outsold the BMW X-CUV's 3,477 to 2,813 vehicles.
The CTS has to get numbers competitive with the 3-Series.
BMW total sales for Oct of 16,443 vehicles surpassed
Cadillac Oct sales of 11,602 vehicles.
In the United States, October was the best month of the year so far for Mercedes-Benz.
Sales bucked the general market trend, rising by 21 percent to 18,200 units
(October 2008: 15,000).