Caddyinfo Twitter Updates for 2010-01-10

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2010 Cadillac STS — More HP, More Space than a CTS

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The Cadillac STS is perhaps in its final years in 2010 and 2011, pending the release in 2012 of the new Cadillac XTS large car that will replace the STS and the DTS.   As sometimes seems the case, the current Cadillac STS has evolved into a very interesting, if mostly overlooked sedan.  It does not sell nearly as well as the CTS — and it costs a step function more than the CTS is not small reason — but also offers a higher level of standard features and options than the CTS offers.  The STS starts at $46,845; the CTS at $35,165.

Image 1: 2010 Cadillac STS

New for 2010: Two exterior colors: Vanilla Latte and Tuscan Bronze ChromaFlair

Originally I felt the STS did not sell as well as the CTS due to the more muted appearance of the STS design.  Updated in 2005, the new Rear-wheel drive STS is on the same Sigma platform as the 1st Generation CTS was.  It is also made at the excellent Lansing Grand River Factory alongside the CTS.

Image 2: 2005 Cadillac STS c GM

If you compare the 2005 STS (image 2) with the 2010 STS (image 1) you can see that Cadillac has improved the front-end grill and spoiler treatment nicely over the years.  The STS still has what I think is a crucial flaw — a very plain hood line — as flat as sales for the STS have been.

What features can you get on the STS that you can’t get on the CTS?  (What do you get for the more money? More features):

  • 320 hp Northstar V8 provides more power than the 304 hp VVT DI V6 in the CTS (also available in the STS)
  • Lane Departure Warning System
  • Side Blind Zone Warning
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Heads-up Display
  • Magnetic Ride Control — STS V8 Performance Model
  • Heated Steering wheel
  • More rear leg room — 35.9 inches in the CTS compared to 38.3 inches in the STS, so 2.4″ extra room in the STS.

Notably, once you get a fully-equipped STS Performance Sedan out the door it rings up at US$68,785.  That is more than even the CTS-V, which starts at $62,020 — another sign of what a tremendous performance value the CTS-V is.

The STS is available in V6 or V8, Rear wheel drive or All wheel drive.  A certified pre-owned STS is a terrific value in the current market place.  Because they did not sell very well, and are not nearly as well known as the CTS, one can often find unbelievable bargains on lightly used examples.

Previous work by BBH (New Cadillac Creative Agency) #Cadillac

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Bryan Nesbitt says that BBH was selected to be the advertising agency for Cadillac due to passion for Cadillac, insight into luxury customers, and creativity:

DETROIT, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ — Cadillac has selected BBH (Bartle Bogle Hegarty) as our new creative agency of record. BBH was awarded the Cadillac business for their combination of passion for the Cadillac brand, deep insight into the luxury automotive target customer and outstanding creativity.

We look forward to continuing the renaissance of the Cadillac brand with our new agency partner.

Let’s look at some of BBH’s past work:

1) Vorsprung durch Technik – Audi

Promotional video for Audi: This is a 4 minute video that makes a persuasive case that Audi is for Drivers:

2) Laundrette: Levi’s jeans

Young man goes into a laundrymat, strips, and washes his jeans and t-shirt with a sack of rocks (stone-washed jeans I assume).

3) Keep Walking: Johnny Walker

Important walks through the last few decades

4) Crossroads: Johnny Walker

Metaphor for life choices — man has to select who to hitch a ride from at a crossroads

Conclusion:

All of these are interesting and fun to watch, so hopefully we’ll see some really great work for Cadillac that sells cars.  Also hopefully we’ll get some advertising that helps people remember what Cadillac is about — premium luxury and performance.

Past Successes: [wikipedia]

BBH has been Agency of the Year twice at Cannes, and has won 32 IPA Effectiveness Awards since 1988. BBH London was Campaign magazine’s 2005 UK Agency of the Year, an honour it also held in 1986, 1993, 2003 and 2004. BBH also became Effectiveness Agency Of The Year for 2008 at both the IPA and APG awards, the first agency to achieve this feat. In the USA, Advertising Age recently voted BBH Global Network of the Year and, in Singapore, Ad Asia has chosen BBH as its Agency of the Year for the region.