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Cadillac Likely To Consolidate Trim Levels For CTS

The 2015 Cadillac CTS is a great car. A great car that isn’t selling well at all. Sales of the midsize luxury sedan were down 42 percent in the month of April, and Cadillac has been reworking the CTS formula trying to trigger the demand the car deserves.

That’s why a new report from Automotive News isn’t shocking in the slightest. The report has Uwe Ellinghaus, Cadillac’s head of marketing, on the record talking about the possible confusion the amount of trim levels may have with consumers.

Currently, the 2015 Cadillac CTS offers a total of six trim levels, starting with the base model, to luxury, performance, premium, Vsport and Vsport premium at the upper end of variants.

“That’s too much,” Ellinghaus told Automotive News. “What’s the difference between premium and luxury? It’s not really clear to me. This would be an exercise to reduce complexity for customers and sales executives alike.”

Ellinghaus also said Cadillac was looking into allowing customers to add some of the most popular features with the 2015 CTS to their car without jumping into a more expensive trim. That’s a smart move because, if you soak in the current state of auto sales, customization is becoming a very key factor for many consumers.

While the trim “trimming” if you will hasn’t been confirmed, it sounds like Ellinghaus is ready to streamline the CTS buying process and begin moving some car from dealers, to new driveways.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. There was a time when people could get almost any option they wanted on their car. You could have a base car but add a few premium options without having to jump to a higher trim that adds 10 options you don’t want. I think they need to start rethinking how they package these cars. Not just cadillac but all car makers.

    Reply
    1. That would be nice but it is not that cost effective anymore. It is cheaper to build them in packages and sell them at set levels.

      Also if you plan to export you need to have set packages as you can not ship out special orders very cheap.

      The issue is if you pick and choose you will pay more than if just set the packages.

      This is why on most cars things like Tilt wheel, power windows and AC are standard as it was more expensive to make with and without than just to make them all with.

      It comes down to profitability. The more options the more profits at lower volumes.

      Also dealers do not like getting stuck with the odd ball cars with missing options. They are too hard to sell.

      We just need to get used to the fact that this is a transitional era and things are not always going to be perfect in a time of letting go of the old and building for the new.

      You just have to hang on and work to build the new future. GM did not fully commit till last year so it will take a little longer.

      The fact is sedan sales are not all that great and coupe sales are down right stagnate. Now SUV and CUV models sell like hot cakes so with the coming models these will provide a boost in volume and profits.

      Reply
  2. I don’t think excessive trim levels are the reason why CTS sales are tanking.

    And over on Auto News, you can read about Cadillac’s admitted missteps in pricing the ELR – another blockbuster that’s now available for over 35% off sticker. And SRXs are available with an inexpensive two-year lease – so much for toeing the line on the high price of ultimate luxury and exclusivity.

    The Cadillac brain trust is confused – why wouldn’t consumers be?

    Interesting, though, that when it comes time to dole out the bad news, Uwe is the spokesperson. And Johan?
    Not seen or heard from. I’d guess Uwe takes the bullet for starters.

    $12 billion – that’s a lot to spend on a management team whose vision seems to be devoid of an actual, attractive, business-building vision.

    Instead, you get bad business practices, fueled by ego and hubris and backpedaling.

    My money says, this story does not have a happy ending. Time will tell.

    Reply
  3. I hope this is just another way of saying most msrp’s will drop across the board. Not everyone wants every option thus bringing down the price. It’s better to pick and choose options rather then getting bundled with 5 things which of 2 you would like.

    Reply
  4. It sounds like it would be a good subject for a poll. Do you want packages with options you don’t want? Or should everything be available À la cart.

    Reply
  5. The fact is it is just easier in the build process to lump together options . Take the wiring harnesses . now you probably have 2 or 3 that they use and with that you can lump together all options for a specific car . If a car has fewer options you would need maybe another harness . GM used to do it in the past letting you order what you wanted and not be stuck paying for one that you may never use . Its all about money ! With that is you need more people on the floor building the cars that may be different from the car being built behind it . So then you have money being spent on more material costs and another social secrurity number that you have to pay in the factory . Less people on the factory floor and fewer parts equals more profit . Or you can think of it as the company isnt selling the high content models ( less profit ) and then you end up loosing another customer . Sometimes you need to look to the past in order to understand the future .

    Reply
  6. I agree, The Cadillac CTS is no longer a good value. My 2014 CTS Luxury Sedan has an MSRP that is ,000 higher than the MSRP on my 2011 CTS Premium Coupe. The MSRP on my 2014 CTS was within 0 of a comparably equipped Mercedes E-Class. A Premium Sedan could cost an additional ,000-,000.
    I can’t help thinking when prices are that close the majority of buyers will choose the Mercedes, most of the time. If Cadillac wants to gain share it must offer more for less. A better product for less money, its marketing 101. If Cadillac continues its price parity with Mercedes, BMW and Audi, it will continue to lose share.
    The Cadillac CTS is a great car, its just not a good value any longer. My 2014 CTS is my 14th new Cadillac, I love Cadillacs andI hope the Cadillac execs pull their heads out of the sand (I’m being polite) before its too late.

    Reply

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