SRX, Escalade, and Escalade ESV. These are the only Cadillac models that posted a sales increase in February 2010. Gunning directly for midsize CUV leaders such as the Lexus RX and Mercedes ML, the SRX recorded a whopping 541 percent year-over-year jump in February. The Escalde and Escalade ESV were up 14 and 32 percent, respectively. But Caddy’s pride and joy – the CTS – dropped 17 percent.
Let’s hope Cadillac flexes its marketing muscle in the next few months and turns those red lines green, since there’s absolutely no reason for dropping sales numbers with a recovering economy and the impending CTS Coupe!
| Model | Volume % | 2010 | 2009 | DSR* % | DSR 2/10 | DSR 2/09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Total | +31.8 | 9,273 | 7,038 | +14.0 | 17,713 | 15,537 |
| CTS | -17.5 | 2,690 | 3,259 | -21.3 | 5,255 | 6,677 |
| DTS | -37.8 | 611 | 982 | -47.6 | 1,229 | 2,344 |
| Escalade | +14.5 | 1,418 | 1,238 | +2.5 | 2,655 | 2,591 |
| Escalade ESV | +32.7 | 552 | 416 | -12.9 | 948 | 1,088 |
| Escalade EXT | -38.6 | 102 | 166 | -55.5 | 223 | 501 |
| SRX | +541.7 | 3,542 | 552 | +370.6 | 6,776 | 1,440 |
| STS | -7.0 | 332 | 357 | -26.6 | 565 | 770 |
| XLR | -61.8 | 26 | 68 | -50.8 | 62 | 126 |
Comments
Gm need to offer more engine choices and a sports package to increase sales. I am a CTS owner and would love to have had the choice to go with a sports package with 340hp, but my only choice was to spend $25k more for a car that my wife won’t drive ever. It is now 3 years since this model has come out and still no coupe and the car has no mid cycle upgrades to speak of. I know GM has had a lot of problems but sales don’t care what management is doing. Cadillac cannot falter and needs the following changes to the CTS line within six month! First they need to offer a true sports model that offers 40 to sixty more horses, they can either offer the 3.0 DI turbo or offer a lower output V8. I am willing to bet that a 350hp version of the current V8 would cost less then the 3.6L and get about the same gas mileage, and no one will care if it is a push rod as long as it drives well and offers the right amount of horses. BMW offers 3 engine choices and their sports model always gets the most attention in the car magazines even if it costs the most. Secondly, the interior need to offer a carbon fiber sports edition with some changes to the dash and front seats. If they use two colors and bigger side bolsters the seats will really stand out and the drivers will love the bigger bolsters! Third, The exterior need some better tires, aggressive wheels,custom grill and a few exclusive colors. All of this will cost almost nothing and will attract younger drivers. I am amazed that the Corvette keeps offering more choices then the CTS which should sell 5 to 1.
Something that GM can start doing in making sure new cars like the SRX do not come in last to 60 when introduced. Every magazine took the time to say that the car was fat and slow plus the high output was not coming till later. I know it cost more to make a car lighter but it costs a lot more to overcome bad press with advertising and a car that should sell more from the start. GM needs to pay attention to weight, zero to sixty speeds and braking. The sad part to this is the 3.6l has been getting better mileage then the 3.0 and they cost almost the same to make.
@Steve That’s an interesting observation! Now that I think of it, you’re right – the CTS needs another engine/package above the current 3.6 and below the raw V. Something that would basically go against the E550, S6, BMW 550, and Lexus GS460. The CTS already competes with those models in size. It’s time to back the size up with some brawn (and make some higher profit margins while they’re at it). Can’t wait for the coupe!
And you’re right, they could either take the “future-thinking” approach and use the twin-turbo’d 3.0 DI or a small block 8. The 8 would probably be less costly in the long run.
The SRX, while selling well, appears a big mistake to me. It’s heavy and completely goes against such models as the performance-oriented CTS range. The next-gen SRX should model the Infiniti FX series – RWD platform, performance-luxury. I hope GM listens (or at least consider it).
I like the idea of a AWD front drive SRX because it allows for a better interior layout then RWD. The last SRX was a lot better car then sales showed because the styling was realty confused. The last SRX looked a lot like a station wagon that was five years old, I think if the old one looked more like the current CTS it would have sold better but the interior was another confused place also. The one area that the past SRX was a winner at is the driving dynamics, it was a very good driver in both 6cyl and 8cyl plus it griped the road like a prisoner on his first date in 10 years. The new SRX looks great and the interior is good also but it should because it comes from the CTS basically. If they want to keep the SRX selling they need to loose 200 pounds and put in the 3.6l ASAP and loose the 3.0 for good plus the brakes could use a little work but the diet might fix it.
I failed to mention the most important reason for the CTS to have sales issues, it is due to poor lease deals and the fact that most people think that GM is out of automotive leases for good. I can’t remember the last time that the CTS was advertising any lease programs or low interest rates. The American consumer has become conditioned to only buy when they see the word ZERO or LOW LEASE RATES on TV or hear them on the radio. I think that I am the only person that buys a car with a $700 dollar payment and will put $10k down! I know my wife thinks that I am crazy buy I love cars and she lets me do what I want as long as she can buy her toys. But getting back to leases if you own a business then you write off the lease and if you can’t lease then you either keep driving the old car or you find a good lease deal. A smart idea for GM at this time is to market to business owners with great lease deals to show people that Condillac is back and is the choice of successful people. This worked in the past and will work again if done properly.