Cadillac January Sales Mirror Slow Market — SRX and ELR Notable

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Cadillac January Sales were down 13.2%, with every Cadillac sedan off its pace of a year ago.  Only the Cadillac SRX held up its sales, at 4,446 out the door to happy new owners.  In fact Cadillac notes this as the best January EVER for SRX sales.

  January (Calendar Year-to-Date)
January – January
  2014 2013 %Change Volume   2014 2013 %Change Volume
ATS 1,909 2,781 -31.4   1,909 2,781 -31.4
CTS 2,232 2,505 -10.9   2,232 2,505 -10.9
DTS 0 3 ***.*   0 3 ***.*
ELR 41 0 ***.*   41 0 ***.*
Escalade 704 857 -17.9   704 857 -17.9
Escalade ESV 381 518 -26.4   381 518 -26.4
Escalade EXT 25 172 -85.5   25 172 -85.5
SRX 4,446 4,380 1.5   4,446 4,380 1.5
XTS 1,648 1,900 -13.3   1,648 1,900 -13.3
Cadillac Total* 11,386 13,116 -13.2   11,386 13,116 -13.2

January is historically the low month for auto sales — after the end of the year clearances, before annual bonuses or IRS returns are available.

The ELR sold another 41 units in January, so with the 6 that sold in Dec that brings sales of the new extended range electric Cadillac to 47, ahead of the discontinued Escalade EXT.

Cadillac ATS sales continue to be much below target and competitors — a shame because the ATS is such a terrific model.  Cadillac has to find the right way to market this athletic sports sedan, or as I have been suggesting bring some serious improvements in the value proposition for the ATS.

Yes, the ATS Coupe will arrive soon, and perhaps a convertible, but those won’t triple sales — which is the sort of change needed.

Cadillac ATS-V Engine rumors?

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When GM Engineering wanted to supercharge the 4.6L V8 Northstar, they took the displacement down to 4.4L to add a bit more wall thickness. When they wanted more pressure for the 2.4L ecotec four, they took the displacement from 2.4L down to 2L.

What might we expect to see for a high- pressure variant of the LF3 3.6L twin-turbo from the VSport for the upcoming ATS-V?

Would it be surprising to get a 3.2L turbo variant with 20 psi instead of 12 psi? If 12 psi added 420 – 321 = 99 hp, (8 hp/psi) will another 8 psi bring us up to 485-500 hp?

An ATS-V in that range would make a fitting new member of the V-Series. Keeping the weight off the new V and adding the 8-speed tranny (a first for the ATS line) will bring the power on coming out of corners. Can’t wait to hear the Specs — hopefully with the ATS Coupe release at the NAIAS.

Heated steering, heated seats, happy Winter Cadillac Motoring

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This morning my local weather was a brisk 14F here north of Dallas, and we were a relativly warm spot in the US.

My Cadillac lost its garage spot to an antique Roadster replica I am restoring, so we both start out in the cold together. Before I used it, I considered the heated steering wheel a bell or whistle sort of accessory — interesting, but not all that useful. Now it is one of my favorite comfort accessories in the winter. The heated steering wheel is an electric coil arrangement under the leather of the wheel, and is controlled by a switch on the steering wheel. On a cold morning it is very cozy.

Heated seats are easier to understand the value, and my 2nd thing to turn on. The heated seats in my STS-V have 3 selections for intensity; I prefer the lowest setting. I toggle the seat heater on, then turn it down twice to low. By the time I am well on my way, my core temp is warm.

Cooled seats have been harder for me to get used to in review vehicles that had them. Cold air from the seat gives a jarring impression rather than comfort. Perhaps it is an acquired taste.

Do you use your heated or cooled seats a lot or are they frills?