Automobile Magazine covers D3 Cadillac CTS Body Kit

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Automobile Magazine has a nice mention of the D3 Cadillac body kit for the 2008+ Cadillac CTS.  Good to see them get more glossy press.

D3 is an aftermarket supplier for appearance and performance modifications for Cadillac vehicles.  From their website:

D3 Limited Edition Cadillacs are considered “world class” and rival the likes of AMG, Brabus, Lorinser, RennTech, etc. We provide the outlet for customers to dispense their passion for driving while keeping them in a Cadillac Brand Vehicle.

Nice Company they aim to keep. I don’t think that D3 has achieved the stature of say AMG, but I like the way they are thinking.

And their business goals:

Our goals are to be the leader in design and development for demonstration and conceptual vehicle builds. We strive to make everything we do a new standard in each respective industry. Our goals can be summed up by these five examples.

  • Cutting Edge Technology
  • Refined Ingenuity
  • Unsurpassed Quality
  • Leading The Industry
  • Continuously raising the bar

… are Goals that nicely resonate with how one might describe Cadillac as well.

Here is a shot of a stock 2009 Cadillac CTS then the D3 body kit shots for comparison:

2009 Cadillac CTS

2009 Cadillac CTS

The D3 Front Fascia will give your CTS that dominate street presence.

The D3 Front Fascia will give your CTS that dominate street presence.

The rear lower bumper upgrades complete the overall design.

The rear lower bumper upgrades complete the overall design.

Highlights reel – GM spans 100 years in one Volt

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Today GM celebrated their corporate 100th birthday with a live, streaming video teleconference with the world. If you missed the opportunity to watch this live today, here is a highlights reel from GM:

People from a variety of GM locations around the world spoke about how GM is doing in their locale, then the Chevrolet Volt extended range vehicle was shown.   In the highlights reel you get a feel for a couple of international speakers, but not their actual presentation.  Then it swaps to still photos of cars, and part of Rick Wagoner’s speech.  Total is 9:05 minutes.

The world is asking for a new solution, and we at GM are committed to giving them that solution.
The most exciting time in my GM Career, …and one of the most exciting times in our 100 year history.

Some sections appear designed for local media to add voice-over commentary, so just enjoy the silence there OR make believe that there IS sound, but that because it is the Volt it is too silent to hear (at least during the extended shots of the Volt).

Also shown:

  • Some exterior and interior shots of the Volt.
  • Bob Lutz speaks on battery development.
  • Ed Welburn speaks on design and the influence of new materials and technologies.

Overall a good day for GM.  The amazing thing is not that GM would celebrate 100 years.  The amazing thing is that they did it with live streaming across the internet, involving people inside GM from around the world, and anyone else who wanted to listen in.

Above all, it is to demonstrate to the world that we are more than a 100 year old company.  We are a company that is ready to lead for 100 years to come.

Well done.

Autoblog admires the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, Jalopnik the Volt

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Autoblog has a post with a photo gallery of the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon.

I keep saying Sport Wagon but sometimes it is shown as the plural Sports Wagon.  I’ll work on it.  GM messaging looks like it always shows it singluar. Anyway, good that the ‘general’ car blogs are picking up on the new CTS Sport Wagon.

Meanwhile Jalopnik is running info on the Chevrolet Volt.    GM showed the Volt live this morning as part of GMNext.com day and the 100th birthday celebration.   The Volt is more and more interesting if the powerplant may next migrate to a future Cadillac model.

The dramatically-designed 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon makes its European premiere at Paris, followed by production launch in spring of 2009.

The dramatically-designed 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon makes its European premiere at Paris, followed by production launch in spring of 2009.

GM is noting that the Volt is NOT a plug-in hybrid, but rather an extended range vehicle.  Ah; I’ll have to think about that, but I think they are pointing out the difference between a hybrid with minimal battery backup like the Toyota Prius or the  2-mode Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, and a car like the Chevrolet Volt that actually is an electric car with a gas engine generator to recharge on the go.

Top speed of 100mph may be new news, but seems plenty fast enough for most people.