Cadillac sales have always lagged in Europe, however you could argue that the brand has never made a serious attempt at entering the market. That’s exactly what Cadillac is planning now – a legimate assault on the European luxury segment, however appeasing customers from across the Atlantic will require an intense overhaul of the brand’s product portfolio.
Cadillac’s newly appointed CEO Johan de Nysschen told Autocar the company won’t be ready to enter Europe until 2019. He recognized that new products better suited for European buyers will have to be developed first, along with new engine options.
“Europe is crucial to our success but we need to have the right product portfolio. If you want to win in Europe you need the right products,” said de Nysschen.
Previously, de Nysschen has voice an interest in a compact sub-ATS model as well as a subcompact SUV to compete with the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. Both those models will be critical to success in European markets, in addition to smaller gasoline engines and diesels.
“Cadillac also needs to expand its powertrain offering to succeed in Europe. We need diesel and smaller petrol engines. We also need to consider range extenders and plug-in hybrids,” de Nysschen said.
Comments
I sure do like this guy and his vision for this brand.
Timing is right for that. Too soon and you will only fail.
de Nysschen has exceeded any of my expectations of what GM would be willing to do. I have always had to temper my expectations as GM never had anyone willing to hang it out or anyone they would let hang it out.
I have been proud of the new GM but with this news and seeing what they have just done with the Z06 and Z/28 has signaled the new era is just starting and will only get better.
THE GIANT HAS AWAKENED FROM A LONG SLEEP! Remember this statement as we will see similar great things from Chevy and Buick products we would not have expected.
My advice to gm….just get out of this guys way and unleash the beast!!! Lol just about everything this guy says is awesome
Cadillac has had nothing but decades of failure in Europe.
This is probably Cadillac’s best and last real shot at success there. If de Nysschen can’t do it, I don’t think anybody else will. Nobody at Cadillac EVER had the gall he does; seemingly because only he seems to actually want Cadillac to succeed by not being the same-old complacence brand we’ve known all our lives.
I’m not saying he’ll do it. But considering he’s done nothing but market luxury goods for all of his career AND how he’s punching everyone at the RenCen who disagrees with him, any chance of Cadillac getting that elusive foothold in Europe will most likely be of his doing.
I’d say it’s do or die time for Cadillac in Europe.
I hope this is correct But I’ll know Cadillac is really serious about being a world player when They offer a full line of Right Hand Drive Cars.
If they are going to do difficult by their own engines RHD is a given as that is not difficult.
This deal is not going to be cheap and I just hope GM does not pull the plug on this guy. I think we now have enough of the right people in place to prevent that.
I have to say, this is it, Cadillac will officially be taken serious, we’ve been waiting for so long and now it’s finally gonna happen thanks to this man
Finally Cadillac is planning a serious launch here in Europe. Just hope the UK is included. BMW, Merc and Audi have had this segment to themselves for too long, but their products do not interest me. To make this work though, Cadillac needs to launch a serious motorsport programme with involvement in the WTCC, BTCC and DTM. Also needed are the mentioned new engine range with some diesel blocks too.
A new range of diesel engine from 4 L to V8 for all GM models. And why not an AUDI TT fighter and a Casillac Sexteen.
The Audi TT is not very good since it’s terribly balanced (unbalanced) for a sports car. What Cadillac needs is a BMW Z4 and MB SLK rival.
And with the CT6 being the flagship, there’s no need for s sixteen.