Replying to ATS Results are in and They are Good Very Good!

And in Europe Cadillac is a damaged or even unknown brand. That is a massive uphill battle to break into there.

Unknown is better than damaged. In a way, the lack of presence over the last two decades is a good thing.

Damage:



-RBB

I just saw something about that GM may be going back to the 3 valve idea for the new V8 in some applications. It would use the 1 push rod idea for two valves like they looked at for the LS at one time.

Not sure if there is anything to it but might be something to watch for.

I have to agree they are more unknow or just know as what they were 40 years ago. For the most part they are thought of a floaty large cars with lots of chrome. Now if they were familier with the 80's Cadillac then it would be much more a case of damaged.

The key is for Cadillac to get the new CTS and LTS out and be smart to grow the brand in Europe. There is a 10 year plan in the states and I suspect they may have a 20 year plan in Europe. Those in power now know they are not going to take the lead in 5 years in Europe from the others there now and they know it will take time to build image and respect with new and proper product.

The ATS, CTS and LTS will be good but they will need a small FWD car for at least Europe. With the new A class getting good reviews and w BMW based on the Mini platform coming Cadillac will need something better than a rebadged Opel or Saab to compete. The ATS has shown they can think Euro while still building a car that is clearly American. They will need to do the same with the small car as with gas prices and poor economy in Europe they will go after these small cars like crazy.

I think that GM finally understands that you can't pass off what may appear Euro in the states as being Euro in Europe. The ATS appear to be a very good global effort as it has what each market needs here in NA and in Euro and Asia.

Reality is complex, as is perception.

And in Europe Cadillac is a damaged or even unknown brand. That is a massive uphill battle to break into there.

Unknown is better than damaged. In a way, the lack of presence over the last two decades is a good thing.

We may not want to dismiss the Taxi Benz and Police Benz too quickly. They were filling these rolls year before they were the dumping ground for slow movers. My dad said they would buy the Benz back in the 50's to use as taxis and police cars as they would out last anything else made in Germany and most else in Europe. Lets face it there were few good Euro cars for many years and even the big names often took a lot of up keep. Benz and VW were two of the most reliable cars in Euro history.

While today they may fill in more as fleet sales many in Europe still buy them yet today as that is what many have used for years in many cities.

The Germans and others don't look at them as Crown Vics.

When looking at the Euro market you have to stop thinking American. This has been a lot of Cadillacs issue.

I agree, we look down on taxis in this country because they are crappy Crown Vics. The view is likely different in Europe, and Mercedes are bought for longevity. In Greece, a 1976 Mercedes 240D taxi logged 2.6 million miles, before the owner traded it to the Mercedes museum in exchange for a new C-class. Mercedes has a reputation of being built to last forever, Cadillac still has some baggage of being what old people in Florida drive.

WTF has longevity has to compare with perception of "baggage of being what old people drive in FL"? Do you proof before you post?

I am just saying that Mercedes, whether it be here or in Europe, has a reputation for being built to last; they have a strong image. Cadillac still has some old geezer image that they were saddled with in the 80s, 90s, and even 2000s with the DTS. Most of the baby boomer generation (the ones buying luxury cars now) grew up with Cadillac and Lincoln being what their parents drove. Cadillac's average buyer is 63, Mercedes 54, BMW 50, Audi 48. So it does seem that the younger buyers go for the German cars over Cadillac.

And in Europe Cadillac is a damaged or even unknown brand. That is a massive uphill battle to break into there.

We may not want to dismiss the Taxi Benz and Police Benz too quickly. They were filling these rolls year before they were the dumping ground for slow movers. My dad said they would buy the Benz back in the 50's to use as taxis and police cars as they would out last anything else made in Germany and most else in Europe. Lets face it there were few good Euro cars for many years and even the big names often took a lot of up keep. Benz and VW were two of the most reliable cars in Euro history.

While today they may fill in more as fleet sales many in Europe still buy them yet today as that is what many have used for years in many cities.

The Germans and others don't look at them as Crown Vics.

When looking at the Euro market you have to stop thinking American. This has been a lot of Cadillacs issue.

I agree, we look down on taxis in this country because they are crappy Crown Vics. The view is likely different in Europe, and Mercedes are bought for longevity. In Greece, a 1976 Mercedes 240D taxi logged 2.6 million miles, before the owner traded it to the Mercedes museum in exchange for a new C-class. Mercedes has a reputation of being built to last forever, Cadillac still has some baggage of being what old people in Florida drive.

WTF has longevity has to compare with perception of "baggage of being what old people drive in FL"? Do you proof before you post?

We may not want to dismiss the Taxi Benz and Police Benz too quickly. They were filling these rolls year before they were the dumping ground for slow movers. My dad said they would buy the Benz back in the 50's to use as taxis and police cars as they would out last anything else made in Germany and most else in Europe. Lets face it there were few good Euro cars for many years and even the big names often took a lot of up keep. Benz and VW were two of the most reliable cars in Euro history.

While today they may fill in more as fleet sales many in Europe still buy them yet today as that is what many have used for years in many cities.

The Germans and others don't look at them as Crown Vics.

When looking at the Euro market you have to stop thinking American. This has been a lot of Cadillacs issue.

I agree, we look down on taxis in this country because they are crappy Crown Vics. The view is likely different in Europe, and Mercedes are bought for longevity. In Greece, a 1976 Mercedes 240D taxi logged 2.6 million miles, before the owner traded it to the Mercedes museum in exchange for a new C-class. Mercedes has a reputation of being built to last forever, Cadillac still has some baggage of being what old people in Florida drive.

yeeeessss.... and now that too is a 'mercedes' (in effect; I'm aware of the circumstances).

Also see earlier post where I remind readers that the Sprinter was originally badged a 'Freightliner' in the U.S., but the exact same van is now a 'mercedes'.

And it was a Dodge also.