CTS Coupe Demand Drives Cadillac Sales up 16%

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Cadillac sales in April 2011 were up 16% over last April on strong CTS and SRX sales.  CTS topped 4K again in April, up 28.7% year over year.  SRX sales also topped 4K per month, and were up 12%, further extending strong sales last year. DTS & STS sales soldiered along, although Escalade sales flagged in the face of rising gas prices.

The press summary (below) notes that CTS retail sales were up a nice 52%, which means that April 2010 sales had a large rental component that has been replaced in 2011 with higher margin retail CTS sales.  Also interesting is that the CTS Coupe is driving CTS sales.


 April
(Calendar Year-to-Date)

January – April

2011 2010 % Chg Volume %Chg per S/D
2011 2010 %Chg Volume
Selling Days (S/D) 27 26






CTS 4,220 3,278 28.7 24.0
18,519 11,403 62.4
DTS 1,906 1,785 6.8 2.8
6,363 5,160 23.3
Escalade 970 1,250 -22.4 -25.3
4,964 5,174 -4.1
Escalade ESV 628 602 4.3 0.5
2,608 2,216 17.7
Escalade EXT 135 148 -8.8 -12.2
604 530 14.0
SRX 4,380 3,904 12.2 8.0
18,339 14,770 24.2
STS 887 330 168.8 158.8
2,240 1,295 73.0
XLR 1 20 -95.0 -95.2
2 121 -98.3
Cadillac Total 13,127 11,317 16.0 11.7
53,639 40,669 31.9

Press Release Summary:

Cadillac: Cadillac reported total sales of 13,127 for April – 16 percent higher than last April, with retail sales increasing 25 percent. April was the 15th consecutive month of year-over-year total and retail sales gains. CTS retail sales continued to set the pace, rising 52 percent, driven by strong demand for the CTS Coupe

Finding exactly the right Cadillac, (Or maybe the other ones!)

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I am still settled on the vehicle I am shopping for — a 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Sedan Premium RWD model with under 15K miles in Crystal Red Tintcoat, preferably Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned.  Or occasionally any used Cadillac V-Series model.  But mostly — no, definitely — the 2010 CTS Sedan RWD Premium.    Would love the XLR, but it has limited luggage space.  Would love the STS-V, but after 2008 when the HUD was available, and low miles in-warranty, so choices are even rarer than the CTS.

Would love a 2009 CTS-V with the supercharged 556hp LSA, but they are still more than I care to spend.  This is a real shame, because when I describe the car I am shopping for to “Civilians” (non-Cadillac enthusiasts), they instantly ask, “Cool!  Are you getting the one that is the fastest sedan in the world?”  Um, no.

2010 Cadillac CTS

Yes, very specific.  To get this exact, one probably needs to order a new car.  However, I want the luxury of a new car selection while paying the lower price of a used car value.  So I have to wait and find the ‘right’ car.

When shopping for a car I try to settle in on the specifications for the exact car I want.  Then I watch for cars that exactly FIT the criteria, or are one feature off.  For example, this week there were 2 cars in the area that were 2010 CTS Sport Sedan RWD Premium models, both under 15K miles, but both were Black.   So they fit all of my criteria except for color, and were ‘one’ feature off my target.  Actually, neither was at my favorite Cadillac Dealer or certified pre-owned, so 2 features off.

There are still “new” 2010 CTS models available.  Cadillac also offers a significant cash back savings on these models, since the 2011 models are on the floor now and the 2012 models will arrive in a few months.  However, the used car value of $30-33K is even less than the with-cash-back GM supplier discount new car price of ~$40K .  Although this is still much less than the original retail price of $49K, it is the lowest number in the discussion that I want to budget of course.

So I will keep shopping until the ‘right’ Cadillac comes along.  Or I find a V-Series model I can’t resist.  Or maybe a nice XLR, or split the difference and find a great XLR-V? No, when the ‘right’ one comes along.  Definitely.  Sort of.

 

 

QuickDrive: 2011 Cadillac DTS

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Dropped my 2005 Cadillac CTS over to Crest Cadillac in Plano for a few minor items — replace the bulb for the front blinker, oil change, chase a squeak down.   I grabbed a coupon off their website before I arrived.  I know, I know — change a bulb?  But keep in mind the front lights are buried behind layers of trim secured with bayonet clips, so I’d rather just let the Dealer handle it.

The drop-off was quick and easy, and I was off in a rental / loaner 2011 Cadillac DTS 1SD in 20-30 minutes from when I arrived.

2011 Cadillac DTS

2011 Cadillac DTS 1SD

The DTS is a handsome car, probably on its last year of production in this 2011 model.  Front wheel drive, with a transverse Northstar V8 engine and loaded with options, it is an all-weather luxury sedan.

Ran by Sam’s Club for my normal weekend commodities.  After I got everything into the trunk it was clear that I needed more groceries.

Today's groceries don't come close to filling the trunk

Love the sunroof in the DTS.  It has a manual pull-cover, which is fine.  The roof can either open fully, or the rear of the roof will tilt up for just the right amount of fresh-air access.  I like the fully-open sun in my hair fresh air approach today, but I like to have options.

The Loaner appears to have nav but no nav disk; odd.  It has XM radio of course but the subscription is not turned on darn it.    Overall it is a very interesting Cadillac to have for the day or weekend or however it works out, and I totally get the continued allure of this model for DTS fans.

The 1SD as this example is the DTS Premium Collection, which is a fully loaded example.  Only the 1SE Platinum Edition would have more features. Those are 17×7″ Chrometech Aluminum wheels.

I am looking forward to enjoying the DTS for the rest of my weekend errands.