smk4565

At their peak sure, but the Deville/DTS peak was 10 years ago, most of those buyers are shall we say, not looking for a new car. Big luxury sedans in general do not sell much volume, the front drive ones do worse than the rear drivers. The XTS is catering to a dying market. And the XTS is a gussied up Buick (and future Impala). It is exactly what Ford does with the MKS and Acura does with the RL. Cadillac might just execute it better. The XTS is made to appeal to the Cadillac buyer of the 90s, I think they are wasting their time. Cadillac needs to move on and build the future, not the past.

Crossover buyers are mostly sheep. They'll buy what they perceive to be good, that is why the Lexus RX wins the sales crown every year. I'd rather Cadillac make the SRX rear drive, but I would never consider buying any crossover, and I know the market doesn't care. so I have less problem with the SRX being FWD than I do the XTS. I mainly don't like the SRX being front wheel, because it will no doubt lead to more front wheel drive Cadillacs. XTS won't sell 5,000 cars a month, the DTS sells about 1,000 the Lincoln MKS about 1,200. Town Car and STS are dead, S80 and Acura RL don't sell. This is the type of car it is. How is the XTS going to sell at E-class levels, where will the buyers come from? Aside from funeral homes. The ATS might be good, I am glad we know not much about it. I am eagerly awaiting it, because it is probably the only Cadillac in the next 4-5 years that I'd consider.

According to Dr. Weber they will do it; this is the company spending $2.5 this year on alternative fuel and hybrid technology. I read this article a little while ago: In an interview with Car and Driver, Mercedes development director Dr. Thomas Weber said "Three years ago, everyone thought that there would only be small cars and that there would be no more large cars. But our plug-in concept demonstrated that an S-class could make 78 mpg (3.0 L/100km), so those questions stopped. With the next generation of S-class we are talking 81 mpg (2.9 L/100km), using a new-generation 3.0-liter V-6 gasoline engine-direct injection and piezo injectors-integrated with a 60-hp (44 kW) electric motor. In pure-electric mode, the car would have a range of just over 20 miles (32.2 km) at speeds of up to 68 mph (109 km/h). It is clear that we will have a plug-in hybrid in the next-generation S-class." 81 mpg Euro is about 70 mpg here. If they do this, (and I think they will because the S-class is always 10 years ahead of its time) no other car maker is close. The new S350 bluetec has over 450 lb-ft of torque and gets 30 mpg highway, that is still well above big car standards. The next S-class is supposed to drop weight from the W221 model, but cars seldom drop weight. Although when they went from the W140 S-class to the W220, there were considerable weight savings, so I know Benz knows how to do it.

Yet for all their faults they are the #1 selling luxury car in the world, selling over 1 million cars a year and they make billions in profit every year. The C-class turbo 4 arrives this fall, the C-class and S-class also get diesels soon, that will solve some of their fuel economy woes. The next S-class is said to get over 70 mpg while doing 0-60 in under 5.5 seconds. No automaker is even remotely close to that, that is game changing. You can keep thinking what Cadillac is doing and has done for the past 10-20 years is the path to success, but look at their brand. Sales have been on steady decline over the past 20 or even 30 years, they have almost no sales volume outside of North America and their product line is now 1 mid size car and 2 SUVs. Cadillac is a dying brand, there was a blip from 2003-2005 when they showed a little sign of life, but they are flat lining again. They aren't as bad off as Lincoln, but in 5 years they could be.

I was never really a big promoter of the XTS should be a Buick campaign, I more think that the XTS shouldn't even exist because a $50,000 front wheel drive car is stupid. I also don't think Buick competes with Lexus, unless by compete you mean they both attract buyers over 60. Buick is a $25-40,000 manufacturer, and today most mainstream brands like Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, and Hyundai live in that space also. Cadillac should be more like an Infiniti or European car. Even Lexus tries to make a couple sporty cars to balance out their old geezer ES, Lexus just isn't any good at sport sedans. The 40-60 year old luxury car buyers aren't too interested in land barges and float mobiles that their parents drove. Gen X and Gen Y (for the most part) are buying smaller, nimble handling, fuel efficient cars and they like technology and style. Cadillac right now still builds to a midwestern America baby boomer and older demographic. Cadillac needs to broaden its appeal. Where is Cadillac's 30 mpg car or better yet 40 mpg car? Where is the DOHC V8 that Infinit, Hyundai, Benz, BMW, Audi, Jaguar, Lexus all have Wehre is the 7 or 8 speed transmission? Where is a real flagship? Where is the sports car or convertible? Can you imagine BMW, Mercedes, Audi or Jaguar with no convertible? Even Infiniti and Lexus have them. Where is Cadillac's image? They are part BMW wannabe, part rap video truck, and part retirement home geezer cruiser. There is no focus.

Styling -- I think they are on track Interior Quality -- A little demerit here and there, but they are 90% of the way there Differentiated Features -- Electrochromic windows, magnetorological shocks, something special. Performance -- between a 2.0T & 3.6 DOHC V6, plus a small block powered V they are set as along as they keep weight in check Value -- Don't price yourself out of the market; even Lexus started out selling the LS400 at a $20K discount over the Germans Thing is though, magnetorological shocks are still an adaptive suspension that reacts to what it hits. And Audi and Acura use it also. Mercedes is working on a suspension that reads the road before the car hits it, so the suspension can adjust before the car hits the bump. Everyone has suspensions that react, but only Benz will have one that prepares, that is special. On performance, I do think Cadillac needs a DOHC V8, but horsepower isn't really a Cadillac problem. The E-class is the #1 selling mid-size luxury car and it is far from the most powerful. I think the problem is in the ride/handling department.

This is their biggest challenge and something Cadillac (nor Lincoln) has been able to do for the past 15-20 years. That is why their sales volume kept dropping. The CTS brought in a new buyer compared to the old Seville and Deville/DTS, but I wonder how much of that was import luxury conquest compared to mainstream buyers moving up to a luxury car. I think Cadillac's areas for improvement need to be build quality, fuel economy, and driving dynamics. Especially for overseas markets. The CTS is their only car that is decent at driving dynamics and even it didn't wow me in anyway when I drove it. A BMW is a much better driving car. Cadillac loses the performance buyer to the Germans and the old folks that want worry free and good mileage buy Lexus. So they have to find a way to appeal to those buyers.

S-class still outsells the A8, Lexus LS, or 7-series by 2-1 margin. All 3 of which are about $20,000 cheaper and have had redesigns since the current generation S-class went on sale in 2006. It still dominates the segment.

The economy is hurting when the S-class is down, even the super rich seem to be cutting back. But the S-class is also near the end of its life cycle. The "stripped cargo van" isn't so low end. The base model Sprinter has a higher MSRP than these vehicles: Acura TL Audi A4 Cadillac CTS Cadillac SRX Infiniti G25/G37 Lincoln MKZ Lexus IS And Mercedes is fine offering a commercial vehicle, they are a huge commercial vehicle producer. They still without the Sprinter outsell Lexus, Cadillac, Audi or Infiniti nearly 2-1. BMW is their only competition right now.

Mercedes outsold Lexus and Cadillac combined in June. I think the Sprinter sells better than most Lexus models, haha.

Thing is though, a CTS gets 27 mpg highway. A Genesis 8-speed gets 29 mpg highway, a 528i w/ 8-speed gets 32 mpg highway. This fall BMW is putting a turbo 4 in the 528i, that does 0-60 in 6.2 seconds and should get 35-36 mpg. But if 30-32 mpg becomes the norm for mid-size luxury sedans, how does the CTS find that extra 5 mpg without a new transmission? Then the other thing to consider is the influx of hybrids and diesels that is about to take place with luxury cars. Cadillac circa 2015 needs to have both.

I saw a new Optima turbo yesterday, it is nice looking car. It looks sleek and more expensive than it is. I also learned that you can get a double sunroof of Merc S-class style in it, that's pretty cool.

The GMT900 SUVs are taking a bit of a hit as expected. Somewhat surprising is the Traverse down 40%, and Lambdas overall are down a bit. Perhaps gas prices will start hitting larger crossovers too. Compact and mid-size cars (market-wide) are back in a big way this year.

While over 8 gears on a 400 hp engine may not make sense, what about on a 150 hp engine? On an engine with a narrow power band I would think 8 or 9 gears would be of large benefit so that the engine is always in the sweet spot. And what about with diesel engines that do not rev above 4500 rpm? Especially on a 4-cylinder diesel like the C-class is getting this year. I could see a Cadillac ATS 4-cylinder diesel with 0-60 in 7 seconds and over 40 mpg being pretty appealing. 0-60 in 7 seconds is adequate for most driving needs and people like high mpg.

None. Toyota is probably the closest... they have a controlling stake in Aisin, but it is not a wholly owned subsidiary. BMW/Audi uses ZF and independent maker's boxes. Hyundai makes their own 8-speed and now offers it in a $34,000 car. Mercedes is working on a 9-speed in house for the S-class.

Europe is Mercedes #1 market, USA is #2, and China is #3, but rapidly gaining. Cadillac is nothing in Europe, and a small player in China. Cadillac has to get beyond the United States to have a chance. They have no economies of scale operating how they are now, and Cadillac is 4th place in America. I think Cadillac needs an ultra car, they don't really need a V12. A V12 is nice, but a supercharged V8 with a hybrid could be an appealing package also. Depends on how they want to market it, they can go the "green" uber sedan route and then they don't need a V12.

HYUNDAI like Sunday

That is the problem with GM, it is always 2 years away from offering what others have now.

Regardless of CAFE, there are 6 other luxury car makers with cars of 32 mpg or more, 3 brands with 40+ mpg right now. And those 6 aren't going to stand still, by 2015 they will probably all have cars near 40 mpg. Cadillac needs hybrids and diesels in the USA and overseas. Not just for buyers but for image. Lexus gets a good image because they have all those hybrids. I disagree about phasing in the 8-speed, or saving cost, it is a freaking Cadillac, we don't need to save a few bucks on the transmission or engine. The Mercedes S-class is getting a 9-speed transmission, even Hyundai is using an 8-speed transmission this year. A 2015 Cadillac should not trail a 2012 Hyundai. Mercedes promised over 70 mpg and 0-60 in 5.5 seconds from the next-gen S-class hybrid. Cadillac can not hold back like they did all through the 2000s, and pull from the GM parts bin as they are now. I believe the GM bean counters will doom Cadillac as they will never allow R&D spending to match Mercedes-Benz. And as the rest of the market advances, Cadillac will move too slow and be left behind.

This isn't surprising. Supply issues is one factor, tax credits running out on hybrid models contributes also. The biggest reason is the compacts are nearing 40 mpg now, and the hybrids don't offer much better at a higher price. Most people's salaries are flat, while everything else is going up in price, they aren't going to pay an extra $8,000 for a hybrid to get an extra 2-3 mpg. I believe that compacts will continue to rise in the coming years.

Mostly agree, but Cadillac can't have front wheel drive, pushrods or a 6-speed come 2015. The Mercedes C-class had a 7-speed in 2008. The bare bones Cadillac in 2015 should have 8 gears. The 7.2 liter V12 is too big, they can do it with 5.5-6.0 liters. I also think the 3.6 naturally aspirated engine is good to keep, not everyone wants a turbo. Diesels and hybrids will become important post 2015 due to CAFE and competitor offerings. Cadillac already really lags behind here since Infiniti, Lexus, Lincoln, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes all have 32-42 mpg hybrids and diesels.

I think 3 car lines is satisfactory, small, medium, large. They can expand a line beyond a sedan to coupe, convertible, or wagon. If there is a 4th car line, it should be more of a specialty sports car.

To steal a line from Die Hard, "Shut it down, shut it down now!"

There is a 2.4 liter, a 2.0 turbo and a GS, not sure what you mean by the 1.4 turbo. But regardless, the 2.0 Turbo is $30,000-$35,000, and the 19 inch wheels are an extra $2900. Putting a loaded 2.0 at $38,000. The Regal GS I think will cost $40,000, and won't sell at that price.

Biggest problem is price. A Regal 2.0T with option package 7 is $35,000. (why there are 7 option packages I have no idea) A wheel package for $2900 is available. If the GS is that plus the cost for performance bits, this car is about $40k. For near $40k there is: Acura TSX V6 Acura TL Hyundai Genesis 3.8 or a 4.6 v8 for a little more Chrysler 300C Cadillac CTS Audi A4 BMW 3-series Mercedes C-class Infiniti G37 Lexus IS350 Lincoln MKZ Ford Taurus SHO Even if you take out the SHO, 300C and Genesis because they are bigger, there are still many other options for similar money, many with 300 hp and rear wheel drive and a luxury badge. I just don't see the Regal matching up with that list aside form maybe the TSX and MKZ which are duds anyway.