Bird’s Eye View: Cadillac at Lansing, Grand River

Bit of fun with Google Earth: here are shots of the General Motors plant at Lansing, Grand River which produces the current Cadillac CTS, SRX, and STS:

GM LGR

GM Lansing, Grand River (LGR) bird's eye view aerial shot

GM LGR street level shot of entrance

GM LGR street level shot of entrance

The factory at Lansing Grand River (LGR) has around 1,600 employees, and makes the Cadillac CTS, SRX, and STS models. The XLR is made at Bowling Green, Kentuky at the Corvette Plant. The Escalade is made at Arlington, Texas and in Silao, Mexico (ESV, EXT).  The DTS is made at Hamtramck, Michigan.

The GM factory at Lansing Grand River (LGR) opened in 2001 and was at that time the first new GM assembly plant since the Saturn factory opened in Springhill, TN.  The new factory was built on the site of a former Oldsmobile plant.  LGR has been very successful, and the new CTS, SRX, and STS produced there have been in the top 5 in the world automobile market in initial and four year quality scores as measured by independent surveys.  LGR has been a terrific success compared to the somewhat more storied Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly (wikipedia) plant.

Apparently LGR does offer tours 2 days a week, so good idea to check ahead if you plan to be in Lansing.  GMblog’s FYI covered Lansing in 2006:

On the tour, visitors see examples of the plant’s flexibility to build very different products at one time on the same line. They see parts being delivered “just in time” to team members by a very automated system. Visitors also see safety as the plant’s first priority; bright lights, polished floors, musical Andon boards, team members in common clothing and warm welcomes. Throughout the plant they see examples of how teams are engaged in the business, working to eliminate waste, and focused on quality.

Here is the official plant photo for LGR:

GMs Lansing Grand River plant

GM's Lansing Grand River plant

I was hoping to be able to zoom in on rows of new Cadillac waiting to head to Dealers for sale, but here’s a stock image of one on the test track:

2009 Cadillac CTS

2009 Cadillac CTS

Cadillac CTS Arrives Down Under

Car Advice in Australia notes that Cadillac will begin sales of the current Cadillac CTS with next month’s Australian International Automobile Show.   With a great direct injected variant of the familiar Holden Alloytech engine and Cadillac luxury appointments and performance tuning, the CTS should run well in Australia.

The Australians like hot cars.  The CTS brings sharp acceleration, quick and precise handling, and a good top speed.    Hopefully if the CTS sells well then the new 556hp (415 kW) CTS-V will also be available soon.

 

3.6L VVT LY7 V6

3.6L VVT LY7 V6

 

 

Holden in Melbourne helped mark GM’s 100th birthday last week.  In 1926 General Motors Australia was formed which merged with Holden Motor Body Builders in 1931 to become General Motors-Holden’s Limited (GMH).  Leading celebrations at Fishermans Bend, GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mark Reuss, said Holden and Australia had played a key part in the development of General Motors.

“Australians can feel a real sense of pride in the contribution this country has made to GM’s 100 year history,” Reuss said.

“Before Holden Motor Body Builders merged with GM Australia back in 1931, the Holden name was already synonymous with building car bodies for General Motors brands such as Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet.

“That significant role in General Motors’ worldwide operations continues today. The G8 sedan was designed, engineered and is built here in Australia for Pontiac and we led design and engineering for the new Chevrolet Camaro.

Mark Reuss’ 25 year stint with GM has seen him responsible for GM’s production studios, Executive Director, Architecture Engineering and GM Performance Division, and Executive Director, North American Vehicle Systems and Architecture.  So Australia has a great point-man to bring in the best GM vehicles from around the world, like the Cadillac CTS.    And Holden has a good voice at the table as they continue to team within GM to produce increasingly exciting vehicles for the World market.

Bob Lutz: Colbert Report an experience like no other in my career

Bob Lutz went on the Colbert Report last night to discuss the new Chevrolet Volt. The Colbert Report is a ‘comedy news’ satire done by Stephen Colbert as a parody of a right-wing news / opinion program.   Mr. Lutz blogged his impressions of the show on the GMBlog.

You can see the entire Sept 17 Episode of the Colbert Report at the Comedy Central site here after a brief commercial.

Some basic information and facts about the Chevrolet Volt came out during the improvisational interview / discussion.  Nothing new to report, but it is important to inform new audiences about the basics about this new model and new drivetrain technology.

Overall in my opinion it went well, and I am glad to see General Motors executives participate in this type of opportunity.

Jalopnik’s coverage of the show.