Yesterday, we reported Cadillac may have to pump the brakes on its expansive product reinvigoration. However, the man himself, Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen, has come forth to set the record straight.
The initial report and intel come from The Detroit Bureau, where de Nysschen left an extensive response to the information reported. To set the record straight, de Nysschen noted a few things.
Foremost, he reinforces Cadillac and General Motors are in the midst of a five-year plan and the flagship sedan program has indeed been cancelled. But, and it’s a major but, Cadillac will have a flagship vehicle; it’s not a sedan, though.
“There will be a flagship, but given the segment development, it will not be a large four-door sedan,” de Nysschen wrote.
He then spills what is confirmed for Cadillac’s future, stating substantial costs have already been committed to each program. Per de Nysschen, here is the future of Cadillac:
We ARE planning a Cadillac flagship which will NOT be a 4 door sedan;
We ARE planning a large crossover beneath Escalade;
We ARE planning a compact crossover beneath XT5;
We ARE planning a comprehensive enhancement to CT6 later during life cycle;
We ARE planning a major refresh for XTS;
We ARE planning a new Lux 3 sedan entry;
We ARE planning a new Lux 2 sedan entry;
He followed the greatest amount of transparency we’ve seen in awhile with, “I trust these unusually transparent insights which I have shared, will allay the fears of thousands of Cadillac fans who will greet your article with justified consternation.”
So, there you have it. Cadillac’s roadmap has been laid out by the boss man himself. It doesn’t get clearer than this, folks.
Comments
Yes Johann¡¡ deal with it¡¡
This words like me much¡¡
XTS Sedan refresh? That is interesting to say the least. Shocked
Sure that isn’t XT5?
Very interesting. I think some will be in for a big surprise. Lux 2 & 3? Hmmmm.
Nice about the confirmation of the flagship not being a sedan. Now we can understand all the confusion with canceled CT8 but still “flagship” rumors.
Maybe it’s because of customers like this…
http://money.cnn.com/2014/07/15/autos/warren-buffett-cadillac-xts/
Or customers like this: https://www.google.com/search?q=Pictures+of+chinese+crowds&biw=2133&bih=1070&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiZlKW3rufOAhVE7GMKHf4bAGQQ_AUIBigB&dpr=0.9#q=Pictures+of+chinese+crowds&tbm=isch&tbs=isz:l&imgrc=WoazSt5XXm1o9M%3A
XTS should not be. shock as it is quickly becoming the new Lincoln Town Car. I live in NYC and see the financial case for XTS fleet sales. Furthermore, XTS can be built along side Impala which will be on the road for years to come..
(Personally, I think that Buick should do livery/fleet and that such a move would actually aid in the positioning of Buick as a FWD soft luxury brand.An Avista-styled flag ship that could also serve as a Chinese Park Avenue replacement.).
The death of the sedan has been greatly exaggerated! An SUV, while popular, will never replace the social cachet and brand capital of the sedan. I’m growing tired of Cadillac–or maybe I should say GMs handling and understanding of luxury and the overall long-term lack of vision surrounding both Cadillac and Buick.
I completely agree. Personally, I still wish the XTS eventually gets replaced by the LaCrosse as it goes upmarket, while the CT6 gets a softer-riding wheel and suspension package for those who want the DTS experience.
If GM plays their cards right, Buick and Cadillac can complement each other nicely.
Why wouldn’t Cadillac continue the XTS? Sales are steady, and it is a direct competitor for the new Lincoln Continental. With a major refresh, it will one-up the Continental.
This amount of honesty and transparency is refreshing which is a real rare thing this day and age.
Say what you will about his plan for Cadillac, one thing I admire is that he’s liable to pop up anywhere and respond directly to something Cadillac-related. He’s never shy about getting on social media.
Anybody remember that one time he popped up directly in the comments section on here and started having conversations with us?
Was that this year also?
Swear I saw him on earlier this year. Very cool of him. He “gets it.”
Now question is, is the flagship going to be an 200K 5 seater suv to go above the escalade or a sports car.
Given the market my guess would be the SUV
Actually, I’m putting my money on it being a big, Omega-based grand touring coupe to go up against the S Class Coupe and the Lexus LC. Remember, large, grand touring coupes are just as integral to Cadillac’s heritage as full size flagship sedans. So much so, that I’m surprised Cadillac left the segment open for so long.
Even though there isn’t as much volume in that segment, that’s where image and transaction prices take full priority. Other luxury automakers recognize that, which is why BMW is expected to roll out a new 8 Series, and Porsche is rumored to be working on a front-engine Panamera-based coupe (928 successor).
Like I said in earlier posts, Cadillac is seeing something with the XTS and scared to get rid of it. When you have this car outselling your brand new CTS you have to step back and think maybe that canning it would hurt more then help.
As far as the flagship, if not a sedan maybe it might be a coupe version of the Escala. I cannot see it being a cuv or SUV considering if you look at the plans outlined, they have a new large cuv slotting below the Escalade. I cannot see them placing a flagship above the Escalade, at least not at this point. So my bet is its a coupe.. Who knows maybe he is just being tricky with his terminology and its a 4 door coupe.
One more interesting thing to evulate is how he says there will be a comprehensive change to the CT6 during its lifecycle.. Dose that maybe mean we will see the ghost of the CT8 merge into the CT6 making it a defacto flagship sedan that everyone wants..
“We ARE planning a major refresh for XTS”
Why?! It’s priced similar to the CTS and is sized similar to the CT6. It’s a nice car, certainly, but it’s not as good as the CTS or CT6 and yet it continues to exist, interfering with the sales of both. It doesn’t need a refresh, it needs the axe immediately.
Totally disagree.
If Mercedes can produce a CLS and E Class together, Volkswagen with CC and Passat who also co-exist and BMW’s 5 Series and 6 Series Grand Coupe, I see nothing wrong with the XTS co-existing with CT6 which closely match the CT6 in room and comfort over the CTS which is a different vehicle in nature.
2 options imo :
1. Flagship will be that new middle engine sportscar. A lot of people believe that it’ll be a Corvette, but I’m still convinced the strategy of two corvettes running side by side will be disastrous. The only solution for that would be to delete that product now that the Camaro is so good and keep only the Camaro and the 120k+ middle engine Corvette.
2. Flagship will be a massive two door coupe. I wonder what will happen to that concept we saw last week. Will it just become a CT8 and be a longer version of the CT6? With the new coupe being a 2 door version of that CT8? How are they planning to have the coupe as the flagship if a similarly sized sedan exist?
There could be two other options, being that the flagship be a SUV, but I’m convinced Cadillac doesn’t want to repeat what it did with the Escalade in the 2000s. The other option would be something EV, but let’s be honest, it’s going to be hard to compete with Tesla. Always hard to compete with a company that doesn’t need to make profits and just repump cash into the company by doing SPOs on their stock which is kept up by Twitter announcements and teasers…
It’s gonna be a coupe.
Too early for the supercar.
I wonder if the flagship will be a Cadillac version of the forthcoming mid-engine corvette? It would make sense for Cadillac to have a car that could match with the Audi A8, the Benz AMG GT, etc.
The Escala lets us know that they can use the CT6 frame to make a car that’s easily as big as the S Class and the 7 series so it makes sense that version 2 of that car would be stretched to the proper size (I don’t know why they did not do this in the first place and save the time and money?)
Finally, I think there’s a place for the XTS. It’s basically Cadillac’s version of the Lexus ES, which Lexus sales a ton of. My mom does not need a car that drives as aggressively as a CT6 but she would still enjoy driving a Cadillac so why isolate her or people who loved the Deville? That car shares its platform with the impala and the Lacrosse so it’s not like it’s a standalone product. If it sales and there’s demand, the last thing a car company that’s struggling to sale cars at home needs to do is turn customers away.
would 2017 lacrosse way better and smarter choise than XTS now?
maybe cadillac going to refresh XTS by using 2017 lacrosse platform….beacuse now XTS looks dated compared to 17 lacrosse
What are “Lux two and three sedan entry”?
And can they put IRS in the Escalade already?
Thanks for the unusual transparency too!
Lux 3 is a mid size sedan so a replacement for the CTS and Lux 2 is an replacement for the ATS. I guess the compact sedan is off the table
Thx Eric.
“I guess the compact sedan is off the table.”
Thank goodness. Cadillac needs to focus on high-end, high-performance luxury cars and on luxury CUVs (and SUVs, a la Escalade). That’s their job at GM in the brand portfolio. They have no time, and no cachet to burn, on sub-$30k compact cars.
Well do not bank on it being shown an produced. At this point we do not know but it could be a number of different things going here.
Not entirely The 2 could still be that car.
I see the ATS and CTS shifting in size to fall farther apart from, the CT6. Right now the CT6 and CTS are stepping on each other.
Just because it is small does not mean below $30K
I personally think the CT6 is actually stepping on the XTS based on its falling sales volume. The CTS sales are still consistent month after month in spite of the CT6.
Huh? How did you find that out?
Here is my take on what he has stated.
First off he said there is a flagship but it is not a 4 door sedan.
Odds are good it is a coupe/convertible. or a 4 door convertible he has hinted would be nice to do.
We already knew about the large cross over.
We knew about smaller cross over
Updates to the CT6 will be to make the car in the new image of Cadillac. Remember this car JDN had nothing to do with it.
XTS? Either they will take the XTS and refresh it for continued livery service or this is a mis print of XT5 as it too was not a JDN product.
As for the smaller cars we knew they were looking into this. With future regulations there is no way around it and every luxury maker is trying to figure this segment out.
The bottom line is they are still in with the 5 year plan. We all assumed the flagship was a sedan but it really may have never been, Finally there is pressure for more volume with the SUV crossover models. They are money pits and if done properly they will fund Cadillac for the next decade.
As for mid engine cars and other wild hair product that would all be post 2025. The success of the cross overs will determine what gets done then. Cadillac not only has been working to set them selves apart from GM in all areas but they also want to be self funding to give them even more autonomy.
If their profits can pay for what they want then GM can not say much.
It is not so much what we do know but what we don’t know that matters.
Cadillac is a smaller volume company now but GM still expect a certain volume here.
I’m hoping it is not a convertible or a coupe for that matter since either market is super small at best. Sort of hoping they produce an ultra-luxury Escalade–nothing more clearly typifies Cadillac!
Once again need to step back on how much autonomy Cadillac really gets. It all depends on the stockholders–the board!
“It is not so much what we do know but what we don’t know that matters.”
This a great statement, Scott. I’d love to know what’s going on in Cadillac HQ but unfortunately we all must wait. Side note, I was at the car dealership today and saw a BMW 7 owner looking at CT6 3.6l. From what my salesman told me the guy bought it. Nice to see Caddy is getting some respect from the German lux owners.
Yes there as has been in the past still some struggle withing. To be honest it is better than it was but no company unless owned by one person free of this struggle.
Ford I was reading where Lutz said it was a fight between the board, Leaders, share holders and then the Ford family. He said it was a tough place to deal with things.
As for winning over Germany buyers that is all good but they just need to win buyers period. Matters little who they are or where they come from. Any won from a Germany make is a bonus.
The winning of people is something that is going to take more time, investment and more models. GM and Cadillac gave away any reputation Cadillac had as being a world leader decades ago. They not only gave it away they stomped all over it in the 80’s. Many companies never return from this as they never have the time, support and capital to recover. Look at the history of Packard.
Cadillac and GM has a rare opportunity with the way the Luxury market is and what they have. Everyone is so focused on beating the Germans like it is some race for the most sales. If this were Chevy vs VW then it would be. In this segment it is all about profits. The key is to carry enough volume to make it matter and to max the profits on a high profit segment. The fact it it takes little more money to make a Cadillac than a Chevy But the profits can be 3-4 times that of the Chevy. That is why Cadillac matters as this segment is the second most profitable vs. the trucks segment.
Now companies get greedy and try to build more cars at the risk of losing the image of the brand. BMW has come close and Porsche over built in the 80’s with cheaper cars that damaged their image. You can always build more but you can not go beyond the point of damage to the image. Exclusivity is what makes most of these cars special and if you and 14 neighbors have one how special are you?
Agreed. I’m 22 and LOVE the cars caddy is coming out with. I was at the dealership ship today because my dad was looking for a new car. I’m looking to get a 14 ATS within a year and noticed they had a 2013 V6. Got to test drive it w/ out the sales guy…DAMN that thing was fun. Caddy has won me over but it still has work to do to win over others. I think BMWs are way too common, MB aren’t seen as much but I’ve noticed on some of their new models (for invented segments) they’re cheaping out on the headlights using reflector housings. To me that’s a step backwards. Everyone wants a luxury car but that doesn’t mean BMW/MB should make one for everyone. Diluted the brand and decays the “status symbol” image.
24 and I completely agree. The 3 Series is the Camry of luxury cars it and the A4 are your ‘common’ luxury cars. Don’t get me started on the 2 Series or CLA.
The problem with me definitely isn’t the styling. It’s the interior space. Standing decently over six feet, all but leaves the Alpha cars off the table, so I need to have the CT6 for my Cadillac fix.
No mention of a new Escalade. Could the flagship be a completely reworked Escalade to compete more closely with Range Rover. The SUV market is booming and Range Rover is the top offering. Escalade has always been the brands biggest status vehicle and refining it to be more like a Range Rover competitor and stray away from Tahoe and Yukon could be a good move.
About the Escala are going to see major changes in the Cadillac styling.
CT6 receive redesign the style of the Scala, and new tech
XTS has always been a very good car, it is a mistake out a car that is selling well.
CUV XT5 and below it, good decisions. Here there will be money
CT2 / CT3 also very good decisions, also there will be money
And everyone will have the style low and compact “sport” of the Escala
The Cadillac era of Mr. De Nysschen was started a week ago.
Is a strange happen presents one day a Concept and a few days after shows the notice of money cuts.
A Spanish boy very glad again
Johan de Nysschen is running Cadillac into the ground and sales figures support this.. as there’s just a disconnect between de Nysschen and the American consumers as his approach of raising prices to make Cadillac cars more exclusive doesn’t really work where everyone wants a bargain.. as this is what Google searches are all about as everyone shopping and trying to hunt down the best price; thus unless there’s a major turnaround in Cadillac sales volume in the United States in the next 18 months, de Nysschen can kiss his job goodbye because anything viewed as deadwood is cancelled.
Car companies do not change overnight. It is going to take time until Cadillac is “the standard of the world” again. It took the Germans 40-50 years to takeover the us luxury segment. Like anything in life money has to be spent/ lost before money is made.
Not everyone is trying to hunt down the best price especially in the luxury segment.
Rightfully so, Cadillac is trying to move away from only selling products based on price.
Think more Sac’s Fifth instead of Walmart.
I don’t think you are understanding of what you are talking about. The CT6 is aggressively priced against the competition and the XT5 crossover is competitively priced. Also, JDN, enhanced packaging trims on the CTS to give the car more value, although still expensive but you have to understand, it is a high quality luxury car.
There are always Buick, Acura, Lincoln and Volvo for those who want value in luxury.
“as his approach of raising prices to make Cadillac cars more exclusive doesn’t really work where everyone wants a bargain”
Luxury is not a value proposition. You can’t haggle something that is deliberately priced to be hard to get and exclusive. Haven’t you realized this by now?
“as this is what Google searches are all about as everyone shopping and trying to hunt down the best price;”
That’s great for things that are commodities like laundry detergent and potato chips. But unlike commodities, luxury goods are priced as they are because they are perceived as being better quality, harder to get, offer a better social image to the user, built to higher standard, and/or offer features that aren’t freely available.
Again, luxury is not a value proposition.
a coupe as a flagship will not make sense since coupes are a dying sagmont
The plan has always been to move the Escalade more upscale so I don’t see anything coming out above it . The 7-passenger Cadillac is already a done deal as Lansing Grand River is gearing up for it right now . I see a flagship 2-door coupe , call it an Eldorado , but not a convertible . There just isn;t a big market for such a car .
I have always said to much dismay that the XTS would survive in some form if the [ sadly ;( ] CT8 is indeed canceled .
And not just for the livery segment but the cheaper alternative to the CT6 . It plugs a hole between the CT6 and CTS or CT4 .
I don’t know why some continue to say Johan didn’t have a hand in the CT6 or XT5 , he is the CEO of Cadillac , nothing gets done without his approval . That is just the fact . He may have come on board as the projects were already in motion , but he has the tools to add or eliminate anything he saw fit . Parts suppliers are so flexible these days that they can do alot more in a short period of time than some realize . I’ve seen it done .
But you have to give him credit for coming out so soon after the story came out . It’s refreshing and would never have happened just a few short years ago . And it shows that although he wanted to move as far away from Detroit as he could he still has to answer to his boss .
One thing I didn’t see in the posts or I may have missed is a huge hurdle to any program are the ” bean counters “.
It’s a fact that once a design is approved it goes to the guys with the purse strings , and it’s their job to trim as much as they can without completely destroying someones vision of what to build .
So it seems that the standard of the world will take a lot longer to see it’s resurgence .
Notice how he said no 4 door flagship sedan . Well the escala is technically a 5 door. Anyway those of you saying Johan should be shown the door do you not realize he has only been in charge for 1-2 years. It’s not like a sports team were you fire the head coach after a loosing streak.
Unless you are the Cleveland Browns LOL!
Don you have the right Idea. Car executives never come out and say what they are doing but they will talk around it like a sweating politician caught in a Bourbon Street Whore House.
I call this GM speak and when they talk look for what they did not say. Often they leave clues as they like to tease. Most times these guys want to talk and they will choose words carefully.
The reason I so not see the Flagship being a SUV is these are volume vehicles and they only do them for profits. Image is done through cars.
What ever they have planned is going to be special and limited as well as expensive. I wonder could they be doing a better Tesla as it too has 5 doors and GM could easily suppressed what they have done. Could it be a mixed Hybrid. No matter what they do they have made it clear that it will be a show case of technology. Much of what we have seen was on the inside but we have yet to see under the body.
Good point! Also we all have to remember that Omega only has the CT6 on it now. They are not putting a SUV on that platform. We might see that full size CUV on Omega but that would be it. I absolutely do not think its going to be a mid engined super car that everyone wants either. I agree with you like I stated earlier that it will be a updated looking hardtop Ciel type car as thier flagship. And I agree with you on GM speak… Lets be honest, the Escala is NOT a 4 door sedan, but as someone else pointed out a 5 door. Lol. Another thing is I really highly doubt Cadillac would of shown that car had they had no interest in producing it.
How do you know they’re not putting on more than a full size CUV on Omega?
I don’t know anymore then anyone else on this post. But considering right now all we have is the CT6 on the Omega, I see more then just a full size CUV coming in these future plans. I am sure a car of some sort is on its way to omega as the flagship but not in SUV form.
Move the escalade more upscale and bring the chrome and bling back.
S**t I shure hope the future Caddys won’t look like Telslas…..I think Telslas are butt ugly.
You could say, the writer of today’s article in the Washington Post “doesn’t get it” – I suspect that will be the reaction of Uwe and the Cadillac House crowd.
Or, you could look at it a little more objectively: this brand has confused more people than it’s interested, be they young or old. In any event, the writer is much more impressed with the CT6 than he is the marketing. Not saying he’s right or wrong, but the Post has a big, influential readership, and this is one man’s take on the vehicle.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/cars/cadillacs-ct6-clueless-marketing-doesnt-do-justice-to-a-great-car/2016/08/26/b72c6608-67ea-11e6-99bf-f0cf3a6449a6_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-more-top-stories-2_warren-1030pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory#comments
A crossover above + below the XT5 makes sense. It seems like a waste for each GM division to have the similar SUVs.
If they do a major refresh and keep the XTS, maybe it should have a new name? It’s barely smaller than CT6,
so CT5 would be misleading. As people get older, they might be finding that there is still a demand for plush riding cars.
Some guys in the Cadillac forum are complaining that the CT6 rides to firm.
If ATS grows, maybe it should be CT4.
They left out CTS, which you would think would become CT5 on next refresh.
Interesting article.
If true to the plan, I will be liking the CT6 more in the future as I feel that it is not special enough to get it over the CTS.
A comprehensive improvement within its life cycle would do it justice because the steering wheel is ugly, the interior, while nice, is not as nice like the CTS, several shortcomings in features and doodads and lack a V8.
I really do like the CT6 but as an interim flagship, the car is not that significant over the CTS currently and not enough to be considered as a flagship. IMO, the CTS and the Escalade is more flagship caliber type cars for Cadillac at this moment.
The flagship is an interesting guess no one seems to know the answer to. Don’t be surprise if there is a mid-engine sports car or exceptionally lavished SUV out, maybe a coupe.
Excellent time to be a Cadillac fan.
All this still seems a tad muddled, but I’m glad we got a direct response. Four major aspects jump out: 1. these “Lux 2 & 3” sedans, 2. an updated XTS, 3. the substantial update to the CT6 and 4. the flagship vehicle. I assume the Lux 2 & 3 sedans refer to the ATS and CTS replacements. My only concern is that Cadillac addresses the shortcomings of these cars by making them more spacious, use high end material throughout the cabin (benchmark the C-Class for this) and place a user-friendly infotainment system in the cabin. Oh! And better powertrain options! Now concerning the updated XTS, my only question is why bother?! I hope this means the XTS is ONLY reserved for fleet duties and nothing more! This car simply doesn’t belong in the Cadillac lineup and needs to be axed ASAP!!! I’m glad to hear they’re going to provide “substantial updates” to the CT6. My only concern is that these updates go beyond the addition of a 4.2L TTV8 and the “Super-Cruise” technology! I hope to see all the shortcomings addressed: such as the cheap, plastic paneling along the bottom portions of the door and center console replaced with a more premium material, aluminum buttons and switches in place of the current cheap ones they have now, the addition of soft-closing doors, motorized headrests, thigh extensions and seatbelt adjustments, a more user-friendly CUE interface with buttons and knobs, a recalibrated 8-speed automatic, the addition of a 10-speed, and finally, a strong refreshed design that heavily resembles the new Escala concept! Can we expect to see at least some of these things before 2023?! And last but not least, the rumored flagship! It’s great to know one is indeed on the table, but I’m concerned as to what it is! Some of you hope it’ll be a no-holds-bar Escalade. I hope it’s NOT! The Escalade, regardless of its success and value, cannot represent the company’s flagship vehicle! For starters, it is not, and does not reflect in any way, the pinnacle of technological and engineering advancement in Cadillac’s portfolio! It is a re-badged Tahoe! With nicer wood and leather! With the Table’s old live rear axle! C’mon folks! Don’t let the SUV craze cloud your judgement! I’d like to see an ultra luxurious SUV come from Cadillac, but in the form of and Alpha/Omega based CUV with a V8 option! Not a leather and wood-lined Chevy with a Cadillac emblem on it! Now since we know there’s no S-Class fighting sedan coming, Cadillac has a lot of options at the moment! I’d like to see them invest in something that is more exclusive and stands out on the market. Perhaps a fuel cell super-car, an all electric, large sports coupe or a hybrid electric sports car could serve as viable options. Just as long as Cadillac “dares greatly” and push the envelope on something mind-blowing, I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt…..
A fuel celled super car? Would they sell 3?
Besides being a flagship, needs to be a money maker and not a money pit!
True! It’s just a thought. Either way, I just hope it’s something that stands as the pinnacle of Cadillac engineering and technology! Something that can speak to Cadillac “daring greatly”, not just “daring” to follow the crowd! Now an all-electric CUV with tech that overshadows the Tesla Model X could be another potential option; since making a profit is a major factor in producing a flagship.
I’m convinced that the “Flagship” will be a large 4-door coupe a la Escala. The Escala was used to show design direction for Cadillac, but also has much production potential. The CT6 will receive a more expensive, stretched variant will will take on S-Class and 7-Series LWB models head on.
I’m convinced that the “Flagship” will be a large 4-door coupe a la Escala. The Escala was used to show design direction for Cadillac, but also has much production potential. The CT6 will receive a more expensive, stretched variant that will take on S-Class and 7-Series LWB models head on.
a four door coupe isn’t flagship….four door coupe tend to have cramped rears and poor rear head room…..Im not a fan of coupe like cars.
All I know is, Cadillac needs a top-of-the-line sedan, and the CT6 in its current form isn’t it. If Cadillac forgoes that opportunity, it will be killing a goose that has reliably laid golden eggs for every luxury brand from Audi to Rolls-Royce, and all the ones in between. I don’t care how hot the CUV market right now: Cadillac needs CUVs, sure, but it also needs a top sedan. It’s that simple.
What’s more complicated is whether the top sedan should in fact be the flagship for the Cadillac whole fleet. Years ago, there wouldn’t have been any question that it should; but, with the current boom in crossover vehicles, just about anything is possible. I’d watch that space.
If, as some suggest, the new flagship turns out to be a new coupe or mid-engine sports car, I suspect it may well suffer the same fate as similar vehicles have suffered: Selling in small numbers for a few years before the model’s discontinuation in relatively short order. For reference, consider the XLR roadster (2004-2009), beloved by its fans but virtually ignored by the marketplace. Officially, the XLR was one of many casualties of GM’s 2009 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and reorganization, but the XLR’s poor sales would probably have doomed the model anyway. If Cadillac is considering a roadster, it should either do it right or not do it at all.
So, back to a sedan. There is also the question of what form it should take. Johan de Nysschen did not say explicitly that the CT8 was dead, as has been rumoured; he just said the flagship wouldn’t be a sedan. So the CT8 could still be coming…eventually…maybe. But if there is no CT8–as indeed, there may not be–Cadillac would do well to stretch the wheelbase of the CT6, drop in the 4.2L twin-turbo V-8 everyone still expects is coming, and make that its top sedan. What they might call it is anyone’s guess…CT8, maybe? Ditto for whatever product might slot in above it to become the “true” flagship. But Cadillac just can’t do without a top-end sedan. Just ask Audi. Ask BMW. Ask Mercedes. Ask…the list goes on.
So, how about it, Cadillac?
I think the Flagship should be a lightweight and hansom SUV/CUV with great performance and driving dynamics.
(1) people aren’t buying sedans anymore.
(2) four door coupes have poor rear head room and doesn’t go with a flagship.
(3) coupes are a niche volume and a dying segment.
Remember the reception the El Maraj received?
Build it and they will buy it, including me.