There are very few automakers who would be proud to end up on the list of the slowest-selling cars of the year. Brands that place value on exclusivity, like Ferrari or Porsche for example, likely aren’t surprised or bothered when their cars end up selling in low numbers. However mass market companies like General Motors usually want to sell as many units as they can.
According to Car and Driver, both the Chevrolet SS and Cadillac ELR rank among the worst-selling vehicles for 2014. The Chevrolet SS was never intended to sell in big numbers, with GM announcing early on that selling 1,700 to 2,000 examples of the V8 performance sedan each year would make the program a success. Chevy was probably elated to find the SS had surpassed their projections, selling 2,386 units this year.
The Cadillac ELR is another car GM never expected to sell in big numbers, but we have a feeling they envisioned a more successful launch for the ELR than what they got. A steep $75,995 asking price and a controversial TV spot didn’t help the stylish plug-in’s case, with many dealers selling the car at deep discounts just to get them out the door. Cadillac sold 1,192 ELRs this year, which is actually more than we’d thought they’d move when we noticed they had sold just 774 units by August.
The only models that sold worse than the ELR were the Audi TT, Dodge Viper and Porsche 918.
Comments
We have to wait for people to assimilate the concept that provides the ELR and is to encourage buying.
ELR is too original car for to be accepted soon; must be hoping that creates its own client.
In 2015 it will sell more than 2000 ELR’s
Regards from Spain
It’s a modern day Cimmaron and whoever suggested Cadillac should sell a $70k Volt should be fired!
In many ways you’re absolutely correct with your comparison to Cimarron. And I say that as a fan of the idea that was Cimarron if not for its hurried and flawed execution.
Hey, I had a 1983 or so Cimarron! Silver, Sunroof, Manual Transmission, too…….Took it on my honeymoon to Disney World, first stop in Florida, window smashed, new wife’s purse and camera missing. What an auspicious start!
Hope the car lasted longer than the marriage (LOL)
The interior in gray leather was really nice for me at the time, and if you squinted your eyes a little it looked like a BMW 3 Series (on a cloudy day)
I swear they put lead in the doors and refrigerator magnetic mouldings to get that classic Cadillac “Thunk” when you closed the doors.
That being said, I’d love to still have it in my stable as a daily driver, mostly for the laugh factor…..
You seriously had an ’83 Cimarron?
Only sold 671 Vipers this year, so the ELR beat the Viper.
I’m a big fan of the ELR, but, the general public does not need or want a Electric/Hybrid car. Greenies buy these cars, and the Cadillac is too auspicious for the market. The Tesla model S could go about it’s business with complete anonymity – unless one cared enough to be on the look-out for one. The ELR oozes blatant wealth. It’s styling and brand origin clash with the sensibilities of the target market. Plus – unlike a Fisker, it doesn’t have that “showcar of the future” look or vibe.
Its also a pointedly selfish car – being a coupe with no rear room – it’s obvious that GM again misread the “greenie” market.