Cadillac Adds Streaming Video to Enhance Driver Vision and Safety

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Display eliminates visual obstructions, increases rearward vision by 300 percent

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DETROIT – Cadillac late next year will add high-resolution streaming video to the function of a traditional rearview mirror, removing obstructions of passengers, headrests and the vehicle’s roof and rear pillars.

The streaming video mirror improves field of vision by an estimated 300 percent, or roughly four times greater than a standard rearview mirror.

“The closest comparison to this kind of rear vision would be driving a convertible with the top down,” said Travis Hester, Cadillac CT6 executive chief engineer.

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“In addition to the increased field of view, the technology eliminates any rear seat, rear pillar or passenger obstructions, allowing the driver an unimpeded view of the lanes behind and traditional blind-spots,” Hester said.

Thanks to a high dynamic range, the camera’s video feed reduces glare and allows a crisper image in low-light situations, versus a traditional glass electrochromatic, or auto-dimming, rearview mirror. The in-mirror display is an industry-leading 1280 by 240-pixel TFT-LCD display with 171 pixels per inch, combined with a HD camera designed specifically to enhance rear view lane width and maximize low-light situations.

A water-shedding hydrophobic coating is applied to the camera to keep it clean to maintain visibility regardless of the driving conditions.

Researchers and engineers working on this Cadillac innovation have been awarded 10 patents – one for the streaming video mirror and nine for video processing. The patents cover innovations in the wide field of view camera image calibration, de-warping, glare reduction and camera hardware design.

Drivers can disable the mirror’s video streaming function; flipping the toggle on the underside of the mirror will revert it to a traditional electrochromatic rearview mirror.

“The streaming video is a significant enhancement for the luxury customer interested in purposeful technology,” Hester said.

The technology will debut on the 2016 Cadillac CT6.

Cadillac chooses Publicis Worldwide as next advertising partner

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Another new marketing agency in a line of changed agencies:

 

DETROIT – Cadillac announced today the appointment of Publicis Worldwide as its global creative agency of record. Publicis Worldwide is the largest creative agency of the Publicis Groupe network and its appointment to Cadillac is effective immediately.

A fully dedicated team, comprising key managers from Publicis Worldwide, will lead the account and have access to specialist and premium resources within the larger Publicis Groupe.

“This appointment is designed to accelerate the global expansion and elevation of Cadillac into a truly global luxury brand,” said Cadillac Chief Marketing Officer Uwe Ellinghaus. “We have spent much of this year refocusing on the core values of our brand. Adding Publicis Worldwide to our team —with its undisputed expertise in luxury brand building — will further our progress globally.”

Arthur Sadoun, CEO of Publicis Worldwide added: “For us, this appointment is an honor and a privilege. We will work passionately with the client leadership team to strengthen the power of the Cadillac brand.”

Cadillac’s creative and strategic agency of record since 2013 had been Lowe and Partners, part of the Interpublic Group of Companies.

“We sincerely appreciate the dedication and service the Lowe team has brought to our brand,” Ellinghaus said. “The agency has aided Cadillac in a time of transition and contributed significantly to the development of its brand positioning.”

New Escalades Fueled Cadillac November Sales

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Even the mighty SRX could not keep pace for November, but Escalade sales were up a nice 91.5% (notes reflect deliveries up 75%).

The ELR continues over 1K sold, so there’s a milestone for the Electric Cadillac.

  November (Calendar Year-to-Date)
January – November
  2014 2013 %Change Volume   2014 2013 %Change Volume
ATS 2,282 3,443 -33.7   27,425 34,432 -20.4
CTS 2,446 2,643 -7.5   28,463 29,126 -2.3
ELR 155 0 ***.*   1,192 0 ***.*
Escalade 2,106 1,100 91.5   17,201 11,122 54.7
Escalade ESV 1,128 651 73.3   9,528 7,175 32.8
Escalade EXT 3 95 -96.8   53 1,906 -97.2
SRX 3,331 4,823 -30.9   48,679 50,702 -4.0
XTS 1,697 3,417 -50.3   22,059 29,889 -26.2
Cadillac Total* 13,148 16,172 -18.7   154,600 164,378 -5.9

Otherwise hard to see much good news for Cadillac sales in November.  The ATS Coupe is just hitting dealers, so that will help going forward.

Cadillac Notes from the Release:

Cadillac:

  • Cadillac Escalade deliveries were up 75 percent, with the retail days supply very tight at 16 days.

  • Sales of the CTS sedan increased 18 percent.