“[We] will continue pumping new product into Cadillac“, said GM North America President Mark Reuss in a recent interview with Automotive News, without providing more details.
Cadillac, which is in the latter stages of a global renaissance, earned the title of the fastest-growing major automotive brand in the United States during May 2013 by increasing sales 40 percent versus May 2012, and 38 percent year-to-date 2013.
Last year, the brand launched its first compact sedan in years, the 2013 ATS, to much critical acclaim. The vehicle, which rides on an all-new rear-wheel-drive vehicle architecture dubbed Alpha, was crowned as the 2013 North American Car of the Year. Later this year, Cadillac will launch the 2014 CTS sedan. Completely re-designed and re-engineered, the all-new CTS will ride on a slightly larger variant of the same Alpha platform as the ATS. In addition, the first-ever ELR electric vehicle will launch later this year, the all-new 2015 Escalade is slated to launch in 2014, and the SRX midsize crossover has already been successful in the marketplace.
The Wreath and Crest brand does, however, still have several gaps in its product portfolio compared to luxury rivals such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. As such, we hope that Mr. Reuss was referring to new products that would fill these gaps.
The GM Authority Take
Outside of marketing and brand-building strategies, it would seem that the best way to ensure Cadillac sales continue their upward movement involves filling out the product portfolio, thereby giving buyers of competing brands/vehicles an option in the Cadillac lineup. Our list of future Cadillac models that we would like to see brought to market consists of:
- ATS Coupe (BMW 3er coupe, C-Class Coupe, Audi A/S/RS5 rival)
- ATS-based compact crossover (BMW X3, MBZ GLK, Audi Q5 rival)
- CTS Coupe (BMW 6er, MBZ E-Class Coupe rival)
- CTS-based midsize crossover, perhaps as a next-gen SRX (BMW X5, MBZ ML rival)
- Full-size flagship sedan, likely wearing the LTS name (BMW 7er, BMZ S-Class, Audi A/S8 rival)
- Compact roadster (BMW Z4, MBZ SLK rival)
- Large roadster (Mercedes-Benz SL rival)
Comments
We have a lot coming that we have not seen or heard about yet.
We have all that Mark stated and more to come.
We also have a ATS coupe coming soon as it has already been seen in Camo.
We have the LTS coming in a Sedan and hints of a Coupe.
The CTS coupe is still expected at some point.
A convertible is expected most likely on the ATS.
I have not heard of a Alpha based SUV but I love the idea.
As for 2 seat sports cars that if it will happen will be down the road as Cadillac has much more important models to do and earn a rep with before they can expect anyone to plop down a lot of money on a 2 seater again. The last two have images that make it hard for anyone to spend a lot of money on one done right as while neat cars they were lacking in many areas. Just ask a guy who bought a XLRv feels about his resale.
Cadillac needs to build its base models and get them right to earn respect and image. Once that is earned they can go off in niche areas and expect people to buy them.
In other words Cadillac needs to earn the publics trust that they are getting a class leading car and then they will freely spend money on these side projects.
There is a convertible coming but we are not sure where yet.
BMW was built on the back of the 3 series in this country and they were not working off a image issue that had them in a bad light for years.
When the time is right a sports car would be fine but lets pay the bills and earn respect first with the core of the segments they need to lead. You beat BMW and Benz with a sedan and coupe then you come back with the sports car.
Prediction: The 2014 CTS will be the 2014 North American Car of the Year.
Cadillac has been the most successful at turning around their brand image of any automaker. I am hoping to see continued high end products. Very excited about the return of a large luxury saloon to go up against the 7/A8/S-class trio. At this price range, it has to be stellar though.
People movers are the real weakness with Cadillac right now. The Escalade is old and it’ll be Q1 2014 before the new Escalade is out. The SRX is aging and it’s very practical. I’m on board for new crossovers based on Alpha for the C-segment and D-segment sizes.
Alex, I think you pretty much put all those in right in order of when they need to arrive, not sure if that was the intention. 😉
It all sounds good, though going forward I think the large roadster will be very much a niche product that they could skip by then.
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