Of course, we already know that Cadillac is putting off its triumphant “true” relaunch in Europe — a dramatic event that’s been pushed back to 2020, according to the automaker’s latest comments. Until that time, there is plenty that the American luxury marque can and will be doing to maintain a presence in the UK and other European markets.
According to the UK’s Auto Express, Cadillac will be relaunching in the Kingdoms later this year by planting a single flagship dealer in the city of London. It will join the small network of 40 other European Cadillac dealers in debuting a small portfolio of four models: the Cadillac ATS (pictured), SRX, and Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro. Those Chevrolets are being sold through Europe’s Cadillac dealers because of Chevy’s recent cessation in the region, intended to make room for Opel and Vauxhall.
But Auto Express reports that a Cadillac spokesperson stated for observers to expect fewer than 1,000 sales per year in the UK; the real sales numbers come in 2020, after Cadillac has invested a confirmed $12 billion into developing a more Europe-friendly portfolio emphasizing diesel powerplants and right-hand drive vehicles. Cadillac Europe PR Manager Rene Kreis says: “Development of right-hand drive vehicles is high on our wish list. However, to do it properly, you have to engineer it from the start.”
Such moves take time, but Kreis remains optimistic that UK Cadillac sales can hit quintuple digits within about 10 years – assuming the marque’s RHD and diesel investments pan out.
Comments
Although a thousand units a year is a drop in the ocean to the third largest luxury market in the world it is still important to maintain a presence there.
The addition of the coming CT6 will add much needed cache and credibility to the lineup.
Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, all shaking in their shoes.
Waste of money
To push their prestige shurly Cadillac should be selling a S Class rival first in Europe & working smaller offerings in in time IMO, in the past though when Cadillac did with the STS they sold 5 cars in the year. Work in the cost to do so & it makes more sense to have Vauxhall & Opel sell a S Class rival, Europe doesn’t need Cadillac.
Cadillac needs Europe even if Europe doesn’t need Cadillac right now.
In the past we’ve had Cadillac & Saab in Europe as prestigious marques, yet with one model the Omega GM still sold more than a full Saab range. The 7 Series rival the Senator managed decent sales back in the day. GM already has established company’s in Europe why complicate things.
The biggest problem is not lack of diesels but lack of engine choices in general. It’s lack of V-6 because when somebody buys an American car in Europe he does it for ‘real’ engine – at least a v6. Most of the Mustangs sold in Europe are V-8s… Of course without dealers, repair and service, spare parts availability, marketing, ads, RHD Cadillacs will still be rearer than Lambos.
P.S.
50% of the ‘dealers’ mentioned on official Cadillac Europe web page are FAKE (!). They don’t sell Cadillacs. They only have Cadillac logos on their websites but they dont have ANY newe cars on the lot! Their service knows NOTHING about Cadillacs (just ask people who went there with their Caddies). There’s a ‘dealer’ in Spain http://www.cadillacvigo.es/ go and click their ‘cadillac stock’ it will direct You to…TATA vehicles page. There’s also a ‘dealer’ in Slovenia who sells…boats and can’t even spell word Cadillac. On his page You can see word ‘Cadilac’. Many of French, German, Skandinavian, Italina web pages listed on cadillaceurope.com DO NOT WORK AT ALL. Many sales & service spots DO NOT SUPPORT CADILLAC (!) they are only Opel outlets.
I suggest writing a separate article about how GM ruins Cadillac image in Europe by letting this kind of things happen.