Global sales of new Cadillac vehicles totaled 21,460 units in February 2017, an increase of 18.6 percent year-over-year, marking the ninth consecutive month of double-digit percentage increases for the brand.
“Cadillac is earning sustained global growth, registering double-digit gains for nine consecutive months,” said Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen. “While growing the business significantly, we are at the same time elevating the aspirational character of the brand. Average transaction price growth in the U.S. market continues to be strong, reflecting both our disciplined strategy and the rising value customers are placing on Cadillac’s product substance.”
In the first two months of 2017, global Cadillac sales have increased 32.3 percent to 51,233 units.
February 2017 Cadillac Sales By Model
Cadillac did not provide sales on a per-model basis in February. It did, however, state that sales in the midsize luxury crossover space (the Cadillac XT5) grew 46 percent in February and have increased 49.3 percent in the first two months of 2017. Since launching in mid-2016, the XT5 has quickly become one of the U.S. market’s best-selling luxury models.
February 2017 Cadillac Sales By Market
Cadillac sales rose in three global markets in February, including a sharp increase in China as well as growth in Canada and the Middle East. Meanwhile, sales volume fell in the United States were down. It is worth noting that, unlike in the first 10 months of 2016, Cadillac did not provide individual sales figures for Mexico, Europe and South Korea; instead, it has bundled sales from those countries in the single ROW (Rest of World) line item.
February 2017 Cadillac sales summary by market versus February 2016:
- Cadillac sales in the United States decreased 8.6 percent to 10,823 units; retail sales were down 9.8 percent while fleet sales were up 2.2 percent
- Cadillac sales in China increased 89.6 percent to 9,034 units
- Cadillac sales in Canada increased 10 percent to 754 units, representing the brand’s best February sales performance since 1980
- Cadillac sales in the Middle East increased 3Â percent to 339Â units
- Cadillac sales in all other regions (ROW, or Rest of World) increased 6.9 percent to 510 units
Sales Results - Cadillac - February 2017 - Global - By Market
| Market | February 2017 / February 2016 | February 2017 | February 2016 | YTD 2016 / YTD 2015 | YTD 2017 | YTD 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | +18.6% | 21,460 | 18,097 | +32.3% | 51,233 | 38,732 |
| United States | -8.6% | 10,823 | 11,840 | -6.5% | 21,121 | 22,580 |
| China | +89.6% | 9,034 | 4,766 | +106.4% | 27,045 | 13,103 |
| Canada | +10.1% | 754 | 685 | -5.7% | 1,411 | 1,496 |
| Middle East | +3% | 339 | 329 | +2.3% | 632 | 618 |
| ROW | +6.9% | 510 | 477 | +9.5% | 1,024 | 935 |
February 2017 Average Transaction Prices (ATPs)
According to the J.D. Power Information Network, the average U.S. transaction price for a new Cadillac in February rose $890 to $54,590, thousands more than luxury competitors such as BMW, Audi and Lexus.
About The Figures
- China sales represent retail sales, rather than wholesales
- Europe sales are estimated and do not include Chevrolet Corvette and Chevrolet Camaro, which are offered in some European dealerships selling Cadillacs
Further Reading & Sales Reporting
- GM news
- Running GM sales results
- Running Chevrolet sales results
- Running Cadillac sales results
- Running Buick sales results
- Running GMC sales results
- February 2017 GM sales results
- U.S. GM February 2017 sales results
- February 2017 Chevrolet sales results
- February 2017 Cadillac sales results
- February 2017 GMC sales results
- February 2017 Buick sales results
- GM China February 2017 sales results
- U.S. GM February 2017 sales results
Comments
Well, China’s doing well.
Two questions:
1) I suspect the margins aren’t as healthy as they are in the US – I wonder if China has to sell 135-150% more than the US to equal US profitability, and …
2) are Cadillac sales in China a trade-up from Buick for the Chinese? (Coming at the expense of Buick) …
Just curious … Thanks
Carl — I’ll try to answer these questions to the best of my ability.
Margin and China do not go together. Despite the high levels of sales volumes in China, bottom line profit is very small. Add in the fact that GM needs to share half of its profits in China with SAIC, and the result is teensy. Here are the numbers for 2016 CY:
gmauthority.com/blog/2017/02/general-motors-2016-full-year-net-income-revenue-earnings/
Cadillac sales do not appear to be increasing at the expense of Buick in China. It looks like it’s taking share from Audi the most. Caddy and Buick are not seen in any way as related and appeal to disparate demographics in China; the country’s equivalent of the cross-sale report confirms this.
Thanks, Alex. I figured the margins wouldn’t be what they are in the US … they do make some models in China, though, correct? So no 35% import fee – just splitting proceeds w/China.
In any event, Cadillac’s sales arc in China is progressing well.
Interesting that they’re potentially sourcing sales from Audi.
Anyway, thanks again. Cheers —
Yup, the entire Cadillac lineup except for the Escalade/Escalade ESV and the CTS is now made in China, so China’s 35% tariff on imported vehicles is no longer applicable, which is great as it makes the vehicles significantly more affordable than before.
But the margins are about 50% of what they are in the U.S, and then those are cut in half one more time thanks to the SAIC participation, which honestly brings zero value to the table when it comes to Cadillac, Buick or Chevrolet.
Yup, I do see the irony about Audi. But that brand has been at the top of China’s luxury sales charts for so long, that’s it’s due to come down.
If people think Cadillac cars are so bad then why are Cadillac sells all around the world?
They only sell in the US and China, the rest of the sales numbers are pathetic.
Outside the US and China people know a cadillac is just not a good or reliable car.
Just a handfull of sales in the rest of the world, because the rest of the world looks at cadillac as a big joke.
GM keeps telling the story that cadillac is a global brand, but it’s not.
They should stick to the US and China, period.
You should un-period that and give it some thought, instead.
1. The reason that Cadillac sales outside of North America and China are at low levels is that the brand doesn’t officially do business in those countries. It does have official presence in the Middle East and South Korea… that’s it. Cadillac presence in Europe and Russia is highly limited… and the strategy, from what we heard last, is to enter those other markets in a much more aggressive way around 2021.
2. Cadillac has been and continues to be in a state of transition. It’s not overnight that great brands are built, especially in the luxury automotive space. The whole point of this transition is to sell more cars, which entrails changing perceptions. So give it some time and stop trying to close the book on a story that is still in progress.
3. Regarding this gem: “Outside the US and China people know a cadillac is just not a good or reliable car.”
This is an issue of perception lagging reality. Cadillac’s product, for the most part, is on the same level as the primary competitors. There is and will continue to be one-upsmanship depending on who has the newest car, but that doesn’t negate the fact that as a whole, Cadillac’s current product is competitive when it comes to quality, reliability, performance, safety, technology, and more. In fact, it often surpasses that of the competition. But the point is that a year or two or even five is not enough to change damage that was done over the course of decades.
Maybe American-ness plays well in China? Between Buick and Cadillac, it’d be interesting to see what the mkt share is …
Oh, and whether they’re buying sedans, or whether they’re as CUV/SUV-crazy as the US…
Carl – China is also partaking in crossover craze. However, the aggregate market is still so big that it’s not imposing significant downward pressures on sedans like it is in the U.S., though there is some downward pressure for sure.
GM has adapted well to this trend with the Chevy, Buick, and Baojun crossovers… and the Cadillac crossovers that are on the way.
Also, you’re absolutely correct about American-ness working well in China: there is a significant amount of “draw” to American products, as an association with America is generally seen as a mark of success and prosperity. That is generally playing into Cadillac’s upward sales, but the overwhelmingly biggest reason Caddy sales are up in the Chinese market is local production and, hence, price. The locally-built vehicles are just so much more affordable now, that it puts the cars in-reach.