Cadillac ATS Begins Production
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The highly-anticipated Cadillac ATS has commenced production at the Lansing Grand River assembly plant in Michigan, finalizing a colossal global design and development project that finally positions Cadillac in the most significant global luxury segment. In order to commence production, the plant — which currently builds the CTS sedan, wagon, coupe and the high-performance V-Series variants of each — has undergone a $190 million upgrade and added a second shift that resulted in the creation or retention of 600 jobs, bringing total plant employment to 1,643 salaried and hourly employees.
Built on an all-new lightweight rear wheel-drive vehicle architecture known as Alpha, the ATS takes Cadillac into the highest volume category in the luxury automotive market traditionally dominated by the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. U.S. Cadillac dealerships will begin receiving the ATS in August while exports to international markets will begin later in 2012. The ATS will hit the TV airwaves during the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Olympics on Friday as part of its launch campaign.
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Verano, ATS ………….. how much are you going to cost me to get the same equipment that my 2007 ION3 sedan with the enhanced performance pkg, travel pkg, side bags, and more going to cost me?
The ION stickered including destination charges at $17,860.
Err…Alex…You’re going to NEED to add an “edit” or a “delete” button to this board because what we see above here is in dire need of one or the other.
Well, Rj is looking at GM; isn’t that a good thing??
You aren’t seriously comparing the Ion (one of the worst compact cars in recent memory) to the Verano or the ATS, are you?
He is. What he is also doing is forgetting about the little word called “demand”.
At the time, who was ‘demanding’ a 2007 Ion3 sedan?
Conversely, who, at the time, is demanding a 2013 ATS?
Heck, you could get loads of luxury feature as standard equipment on a then new Kia Amanti; luxury features similar to what you could get in an S-class for 10’s of thousands less.
Throw in the word ‘demand’, and you’ll know why the Amanti is no longer with us.
Rj…have you made up your mind yet? Loaded Verano or base ATS……
@Richard I just vote stupid comments down.
@Rj I’m usually very open to dialogue and discussion and often tell friends that there is no such thing as a stupid question. Yours above is a major exception and is possibly the dumbest thing I have read so far on GMA.
I award you no points and may God have mercy on your soul.
He’s claimed to be an engineer.
Or he, at the very least, a troll who’s posted with 2 different accounts and signed with the same name (‘Bill Neuhauser’ when he posted as “RjION” and as “billneu” as seen in this thread: http://gmauthority.com/forum/discussion/112/my-idea-on-how-how-to-get-electric-cars-main-stream/p1).
Wow Graw, you are very observant.
This car is a game changer for the general no question about it. Once the 8 speed comes to market it will be even more formidable. The ats is an absolute mechanical and technological tour de force. I badly wanted to wait to possibly lease this car but i had to make a move on a car( went w the 2012 eassist lacrosse love the car its a gem). Off the subject does anyone know if gm is developing a full hybrid??
What is full hybrid? Is that like a purebred junkyard dog? full hybrid or pure hybrid is an oxymoron.
@Main Wayne Something along the lines of a Toyota HSD setup — a full two-mode hybrid system. Toyota Prius, etc.
Oxymoron, Very true…
@ silent electrician would that be like the GM dual-mode in the pick ups or would it have to be a CVT
Yeah, just like that. I don’t think the transmission is what matters as much as the ability of the car to drive on electricity alone for a bit (not like the Volt but like the Prius/Camry Hybrid).
So just got done listening to a auto podcast that both praised and trashed the ATS…The trashing was directed at engine selection and the escalation in price as you upgrade to the V6. After listening I was sick to my stomach, especially when the commentator said it does not come close to the 3 series… They also referred to the base 4 as worthless and the turbo as unrefined. They claimed that the entire engine selection was what did this vehicle in, that all the engines lack the refinment to lead in this segment. This is the first review I have taken in on the ATS, is this the concensus across most auto journalists. Major bummer, much hype only to hear this… Please someone give me another perspective…
I suppose because it is American, it is no good….we will see how they sell……………………lots of snobs out there. I bet Cadillac will have a very good year:)
Almost all reviews have been positive, u should expect lots of thrash talk its an American car that actually is very very close to the 3 series n lots.of people are bothered by that, just read more reviews you’ll see, some love the car bc theyre happy an american car is actually running neck n neck with its German competition, n the 2.0 t gets mixed reviews it don’t have the high end torque like the 3 n some say it sounds bad some say it sounds great, the 3.6 apparently is faster n smoother n sounds great, there’s nothing to not love about the car, it was well engineered and has a very good quality interior, they set audi as a benchmark for interior and bmw in performace and it looks like a cadillac that’s built right here at home
frankie….yes, it is true that auto bloggers, etc. love to trash American cars…snobs? I drove ATS base and 3.6…base is excellent, I found…peppy and smooth for a 4; steering was superb and ride silky and QUIET too. I would say the lack of standards does bother me for the $$$$; no back-up or remote start? Not good….I am considering this car after it has been out a while to make sure it is what I want….maybe next Summer. At any rate, a very nice car 🙂
First car just came off the line a few hours ago did they have a chance to drive it already?
They’re referring to pre-production models during the media drive.
Autoblog posted their first drive review a couple days ago, they had generally positive things to say, with the main point of contention being the engine, I think no one expects the ATS to beat the 3 after decades of Cadillac not providing even a half hearted challenge to BMW. I will be happy if it is just “competitive” to the 3, and look for the next gen ATS to beat the 3.
Love that white one…too bad it is $1k…plus fogs, etc…….but, you all get that mirror 🙂
Alex, have you driven the ATS yet? I bet it is so nice…nothing quite like a new Cadillac!
I know what podcast you are referring to those guys are biased towards the 3 series just like all the other auto enthusiast who call themselves journalist . He was right in a way and here’s why that 2.5 doesn’t belong in a caddy it’s crappy it’s the malibus engine the 2.0 turbo is getting there but that’s buicks baby and on the record the 2.0 found in the buicks are different lastly the good Ol 3.6 V6 which started off as a caddy power plant and that’s where the car feels like a luxury car a naturally aspirated refined engine it may be low on torque but the available 321HP is on demand which is what luxury is all about you don’t need all that power but having the sense it’s there and isn’t being held back is what’s holding the ats back.
To follow up on my comment every last car journalist actually speaks to the engineers followed by clay dean and don butler they know what’s in the pipeline that’s why I chuckled when I read reviews that complains about the engine offerings. Everyone did a great job on the ats the bankruptcy held them back a model year or two but everything is falling into place for Cadillac . This is why I chuckled at the reviews everyone knows and Cadillac has stated that they have an 8 speed transmission in development which was hindered due to the bankruptcy also there’s the twin turbo engines that have been in development plus the V which is rumored to have a small block V8….2014 ats equipped with an 8 speed tranny and a twin turbo power plant next year my friends
@Richard I just vote stupid comments down.
@Rj I’m usually very open to dialogue and discussion and often tell friends that there is no such thing as a stupid question. Yours above is a major exception and is possibly the dumbest thing I have read so far on GMA.
To get a Buick Verano with an auto dimming rear view mirror one has to pay $24,670 plus destination charges. And thats the Verano with less hp to weight than the ION
The base ATS it looks like it’ll be $33,095 does that include an auto dimming mirror? The nice thing about the Caddy is the base engine puts out 202hp…not to bad at all.
The CRUZE is grossly under powered, three out of three equil no sale to stupid me.
Rj……the new Verano will be out in a month or also ATS…2.5 for both so, it will be interesting to see how they both go…even without the mirror everyone wants! Anyways, I’m thinking they are both great for the $$$$….I wonder how many eurotypes will cross over???
Rj I think I have a solution for you. You should get this:
http://gokartsusa.com/images/products/thumb/XRAKRA1xx.jpg
It has excellent power to weight ratio but lacks an auto dimming mirror. Just get one aftermarket and call it a day.
Yes, that mirror again……..the car will be fine with or without it……
ATS and most GMs have the same manual mirror….it is just fine. ATS has the same manual steerng wheel adjustment…that is OK too….would rather have fogs or fold-down rear seats as the trunk is so small. Maybe next year?
For the money …………….. No mirror, the Verano is like not getting the Pez (z) head when buying the dispenser.
Some are willing to pay extra for one bald Pezz head and … Call it a day.
That’s a good comparison RJ. Both should have it standard, dang it!
Verano has autodimming on convenience group……ATS would cost over $4k for the luxury group upgrade….very strange choices for luxury………….but, still nicer than the import choices…..I can see another Cadillac in my driveway or even the Buick…regardless of that mirror everyone wants
Rj…obviously you don’t want a Verano…..get something else maybe you like better
Dudes, RJ’s point is there are affordable options that if you get creative you can get performance at a great price.
Thanks.Obama for saving the American auto industry! !
Take a CRUZE to get the mirror and the rest of the equiment my ION has. I’d have to buy the LTZ for $24,000 bucks. That leaves me with one of two anemic power plants that has to haul around evan more weight. Verano $24,670 and still needs more power. ATS at $33,095 I get everything I have now. I think it does, I didn’t see the mirror listed……………………………STUPID Pez (z) dispenser
A Kia and heck, a Chevy, has more options than most luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Lexus. It’s not about ticking the options boxes. It’s about the experience. Does a Kia drive like a BMW? Not in a million years.
Yes, many eurocars do not have the nice features that GM offers…..however, both Cadillac and Buick could add a few more standard instead of being forced to get the higher-priced levels…..that autodimming mirror that is supposed to be so cool?….
Babersher, competitive is the key point… Hopefully the ATS will be price competitive as well… There is allot to like from this car, but I think the engine line up is odd, although each is cadillacized… I want to test drive definitely…
Absolutely, Cadillac now has a legitimate competitor to the 3, and thats what matters.
Excellent.
Some of you guys need to get a life.I hear way too muchbitchin about everything the General does.If you are a GMer be proud of their progress.GM was once the greatest company on the planet. Sit back and watch them do it again .If you enjoy aouto racing it isnt hard to tell whos kicking buttock
Harold…right on…..GM builds some super cars…why else are we here but to discuss it? I am buying another GM…seems like a lot of other people are too 🙂 No one is making anyone buy anything after all……..
Most of us are here because we like GM.
That doesn’t mean we can’t be critcal of their performance; we want GM to build the best afterall.
Spent some time catching up on reviews, my mind is clearer now… Very exciting to see how this vehicle raises the bar for Cadilac…
I’ll keep my life and when something is missing, or wrong with a car I’m looking at I’ll say so…oh and I’m not sorry about how that makes you feel, or if you think it’s too muchbitchin