Caddy Circa 2012: What We Can Expect
Receiving an invite to this year’s NAIAS from General Motors was a fantastic opportunity for me. The icing on the cake were the many personal and group interviews with GM executives who shared with me/us their knowledge including some product plans over the next few years.
Although I met with Saturn, Hummer and Saab execs face-to-face, my greatest interest was in what Cadillac was doing. I have been watching Cadillac’s progress closely, particularly over the past few years, and I like what I see.
Cadillac’s Good Name Has Been Restored
Cadillac’s good name has been restored and the future looks bright, especially if they stay on the path they have taken. With GM, there is always a danger that someone/somewhere will make a stupid decision such as taking a basic model from another GM division, dressing it up, and selling it as a Cadillac. Rumors that GM is planning to do this with one of its crossovers has me a bit distressed — let’s hope that someone has some sense and helps Caddy stay the course.
Tracking the Changes Through 2012
Over the next few years Cadillac will see some important changes including the following:
DTS and STS — Cadillac’s two largest cars will be replaced by one model and that will be a rear wheel drive derivative of the platform powering the Pontiac G8 and Chevy Camaro. Although the car will be heavier than the present DTS (raising CAFE concerns) what Cadillac will do elsewhere in their line up will offset this change.
CTS — The sedan will be updated for the 2013 model year and will include a coupe if it hasn’t already found its way in by 2010. The CTS-V will march on, a limited-production signature car for the popular CTS series.
BLS — I don’t expect that the BLS name will survive, but when the compact BLS (pictured) is updated for the European market in 2011, that car will arrive in the US to compete against the BMW 1-Series and the Mercedes A Class. Look for this truly baby Cadillac to power sales over the next decade, especially if a fuel-saving diesel variant is included.
SRX Crossover — This is where things get murky. Will GM simply rebadge another brand’s crossover and sell it as a Cadillac or will the SRX continue in its current form? My guess is that sense will win and the SRX will remain part of the Caddy line up, a derivative of the CTS.
Escalade — It is big, burly, thirsty and full of bling. The Escalade along with the DTS are the two most popular Cadillacs on the market. As long as someone wants to shell out money for a big SUV, Cadillac will stay in the game. Look for a nice update for the 2012 model year with a viable diesel option in play. The EXT and ESV will be continued as long as demand is present.
XLR Roadster — This car will continue in production as long as Chevrolet has the Corvette, which means forever. However, IF Cadillac’s CAFE numbers tend to slip, the XLR will be killed-off, particularly if overall demand slips too.
Beyond what has been mentioned, I expect that fuel cell improvements, ethanol, and plug-in hybrids will be found throughout the Cadillac fleet beginning in the early part of the next decade. Look for the “new” BLS and the DTS/STS replacement to advance the quality standards found in the CTS, giving consumers all the more reason to consider Cadillac.
Although I met with Saturn, Hummer and Saab execs face-to-face, my greatest interest was in what Cadillac was doing. I have been watching Cadillac’s progress closely, particularly over the past few years, and I like what I see.
Cadillac’s Good Name Has Been Restored
Cadillac’s good name has been restored and the future looks bright, especially if they stay on the path they have taken. With GM, there is always a danger that someone/somewhere will make a stupid decision such as taking a basic model from another GM division, dressing it up, and selling it as a Cadillac. Rumors that GM is planning to do this with one of its crossovers has me a bit distressed — let’s hope that someone has some sense and helps Caddy stay the course.
Tracking the Changes Through 2012
Over the next few years Cadillac will see some important changes including the following:
DTS and STS — Cadillac’s two largest cars will be replaced by one model and that will be a rear wheel drive derivative of the platform powering the Pontiac G8 and Chevy Camaro. Although the car will be heavier than the present DTS (raising CAFE concerns) what Cadillac will do elsewhere in their line up will offset this change.
CTS — The sedan will be updated for the 2013 model year and will include a coupe if it hasn’t already found its way in by 2010. The CTS-V will march on, a limited-production signature car for the popular CTS series.
BLS — I don’t expect that the BLS name will survive, but when the compact BLS (pictured) is updated for the European market in 2011, that car will arrive in the US to compete against the BMW 1-Series and the Mercedes A Class. Look for this truly baby Cadillac to power sales over the next decade, especially if a fuel-saving diesel variant is included.
SRX Crossover — This is where things get murky. Will GM simply rebadge another brand’s crossover and sell it as a Cadillac or will the SRX continue in its current form? My guess is that sense will win and the SRX will remain part of the Caddy line up, a derivative of the CTS.
Escalade — It is big, burly, thirsty and full of bling. The Escalade along with the DTS are the two most popular Cadillacs on the market. As long as someone wants to shell out money for a big SUV, Cadillac will stay in the game. Look for a nice update for the 2012 model year with a viable diesel option in play. The EXT and ESV will be continued as long as demand is present.
XLR Roadster — This car will continue in production as long as Chevrolet has the Corvette, which means forever. However, IF Cadillac’s CAFE numbers tend to slip, the XLR will be killed-off, particularly if overall demand slips too.
Beyond what has been mentioned, I expect that fuel cell improvements, ethanol, and plug-in hybrids will be found throughout the Cadillac fleet beginning in the early part of the next decade. Look for the “new” BLS and the DTS/STS replacement to advance the quality standards found in the CTS, giving consumers all the more reason to consider Cadillac.
