For Cadillac Director of Emerging Markets, Jim Vurpillat, it’s not about conquering countries. It’s about conquering major metro markets. And looking forward, The Crest has its eyes on making an impact in trendsetting and key cities like Milan, Italy and Munich, Germany. Helping to do this are an increasing amount of interested parties lining up to open Cadillac dealerships. As it stands, however, Cadillac features no diesel engines, and one old wagon in its portfolio. Both of which are essential for the European market. But for more on that matter, Vurpillat pointed that Cadillac will eventually “adapt the portfolio.” But for more on Cadillac’s Europe happenings, we should stay tuned and keep an eye on the 2014 Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland next month.
As for other emerging markets, Cadillac is currently considering a business case for South America, which according to Vurpillat, would seem like the next logical region to expand to. Meanwhile, momentum grows in China, but the ATS is still being imported from America, which means it’s taxed heavily when sold in the region. This will end in 9-10 months with the introduction of the long-wheelbase ATS-L, which will discontinue the standard ATS in China. The CTS will also begin selling in China soon enough, but there are no plans for a CTS-L, for reasons that “will be apparent soon enough.” Which can also be translated to saying: “hold on, wait until our flagship finally launches.”
We can hardly wait for that.
Comments
While South America is mostly a two class society there is still a lot of buyers there and I can see them doing well. Americans are popular in many countries for many thing other than kidnapping.
But seriously there is a good non bias to American products and items there and Cadillac should have a clean shot there. Also I expect sales of the CTS and the LTS to be great in the middle east as expensive American cars are popular there.
Hope to see finally Cadillac in Algeria, as the German rivals which sold a lot of cars especially for Audi. Cadillac have good chance to outsell the German brand in Algeria with of course diesel engines, as Cadillac have a good image here people sees Cadillac as more luxury than Mercedes.