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Cadillac ATS, CTS ‘Replacements’ To Be Built At GM’s Lansing Grand River Plant

Last month, Cadillac made headlines when its President, Johan de Nysschen, stated that the Cadillac ATS and CTS “won’t receive natural successors“, and that one sedan model will replace the Cadillac ATS, CTS, and XTS. A day after, GM Authority spoke to a few members of the Cadillac team and clarified that not one, but rather two sedans will replace the ATS, CTS and XTS.

The first of these will be the Cadillac CT5 — a midsize sedan of sorts that will be priced, according to JdN, between $35,000 and $45,000. That much we already knew. But what we didn’t know are the following two small, yet important details.

1. Cadillac CT5 Will Be Built In Lansing Grand River

First, the upcoming Cadillac CT5 will be build at the GM Lansing Grand River factory in Michigan — which currently serves as the birthplace of the ATS and CTS, as well as the sixth-generation Chevy Camaro. All three vehicles ride on the first iteration of the rear-drive GM Alpha platform, which has been highly covered for its superb handling and driving dynamics.

2. Another Sedan Will Be Built Alongside The CT5

Second, a new report from the Lansing State Journal states that another sedan will be built alongside the CT5 at Lansing Grand River that would compete with the Audi A3. We imagine this to mean that this second vehicle will compete with B segment sedans such as the A3 and upcoming Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan in price, while being a size larger — thereby putting the model in the C segment with the likes of the A4, 3 Series and C-Class from a size standpoint.

But perhaps even more importantly, the circumstance suggests that the indirect replacement for the Cadillac ATS would continue riding on the Alpha platform. Though not an official confirmation by any stretch, the news should subside any fears that the compact Cadillac sedan — which will likely carry the Cadillac CT3 moniker — would be based on a front-drive, transverse-engined architecture such as the D2 platform used by the Chevrolet Cruze, which was rumored about a year ago. Fortunately, the model’s reported assembly at Lansing Grand River disqualifies it from riding on a front-drive platform.

Lansing Grand River Investments

In 2016, GM announced a $221 million investment into the Lansing Grand River plant for new tooling for future Cadillacs and to expand the body shop. It would appear that the investment will go, in part, towards building the CT5 as the replacement for the CTS, as well as a replacement for the ATS, which is rumored but not officially confirmed to be called CT3.

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GM Authority Executive Editor with a passion for business strategy and fast cars.

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Comments

  1. Ahhh…So glad to hear that Cadillac will maintain its stellar Alpha platform! As long as the other shortcomings of the Alpha-based sedans are addressed (poor interior and cargo space, overly harsh ride), the ATS/CTS replacement should be a successful product!

    Reply
    1. Having spent a significant amount of time with the ATS and CTS as well as vehicles in their class, I would not say that the ride of either is “overly harsh”. In fact, I wouldn’t characterize it as being anything close to “harsh”… especially “overly”. Of course, neither vehicle is a couch on wheels… and that’s the whole point of both vehicles — to be luxurious, sporty and engaging to drive. But in general, the ride quality is superb and is right there in the mix of the segment, especially when equipped with MRC.

      As for the interiors, the CTS’ interior has aged quite well and though I wouldn’t say that it’s at the top of the heap compared to the new E-Class and 5er, it’s also not terrible. The ATS’ interior has aged worse, and I’d say that though it’s definitely not bad, it’s at the bottom of the class… though it’s not a bad place to spend time in.

      But in that lies the rub: people buying these cars will pick what they like… and the cabin is a big factor in that decision. If all cars were judged by their interior, then the ATS would be at the bottom of its segment.

      Both of the vehicles were very good first tries, and hopefully the continuous improvement ideal will make them even better for the next iterations.

      Reply
  2. What is the speculated timeline of these moniker changes?

    Reply
    1. Jason,

      The current ATS and CTS’ life cycles end in 2019, so likely around that time.

      Thanks for reading,

      -Sean

      Reply
  3. Living in a city close to the Grand River Plant and driving down Martin Luther King BLVD. ( or Logan St. ) still to many of us if you look over the bridge there are cars out behind the factory bathed in camo .
    Talking to friends that work on the Product Development Team , they tell me that there are indeed 2 new Cadillac coming and the CT5 will come out first and the smaller car following in approx. 6 months . This time next summer we should see the first car show up .
    Even workers involved in the development have to leave there Smart phones in the office so no SPY shots are taken things are very hush-hush around these 2 newbies .
    Even the Camaro is wrapped up like a Christmas present to keep prying eyes from seeing to much . It’s good news for the greater Lansing area that GM believes in the quality work that the local union 652 members produce .
    GM has always been good for Lansing which used to be the home of Oldsmobile . Everybody in Lansing drove Oldsmobiles as we used to produce everything from the Toronado to the hot selling Cutlass .
    We are fortunate that GM still has a good relationship with both of our Local unions 652 and 602 the later the Delta Assembly Plant where Cadillacs new 7 seater will be built along side the new Traverse and Enclave . The Acadia leaving made room for the new Cadillac ,

    Reply
  4. G.M IS BUILDING LOW END JUNK FOR BIG MONEY & THEY DON’T EVEN LIVE UP TO THE LITTLE WARRENTY THEY GIVE YOU . WHY BECAUSE IT SPEAK’S FOR G.M. ALL JUNK .CADILLAC IS JUST LOST THEY RUIN’ED THE NAME GO FORD FORD FORD

    Reply
    1. It must really hurt to drag your knuckles?

      Reply
    2. Joe, here’s some other internet pages you can ‘enjoy’:

      Dunning-Kruger Effect (Git y’self some lemon juice, Joe-boy!)
      Kahneman loss-scenario-based risk-taking
      Cipolla’s 5 laws (I think you got all of ’em in)

      Reply
  5. The updated Alpha will show some needed changes that got left out on the present model. It will see RHD, better interiors and upgraded engines.

    I think Cadillac is doing the right thing for the market in cutting down con the cars that are all too close in size. Let’s face it the past leaders did not spread the table much. Now sedans are a very weak segment tontbe CUV.

    Now that they are doing CUV as the primary product they now need to get it right.

    We will see other cars like a sports car or even two later on. JSN stated around 2025.

    It will be interesting to see his take on the CUV as the XT5 is not his product and I am sure he is not happy eith it since it is going to get up dated soon.

    As for harsh rides they are not Fleetwood soft as that is not were the market is anylonger, But they are a good mix of fire and confident handling. That is what the market wants.

    Reply
  6. Maybe they’ll retire the Ats-v with a V8 manual option and the digital dash from the xts-V that is already in the parts bin.

    Reply
  7. Wow. A Cruze-based Cadillac? I cannot believe that was seriously ever rumored. The Cadillac Cimarron is a legend among disasters in the auto industry.

    I have a feeling that if anyone at GM ever even suggested something like this they would be laughed out of the room, or at least I hope that’s the case.

    Reply
    1. 100% agreement.

      Also, Cruze-Cimarron I will NOT BUY, Alpha-based REAR-drive small Caddy A3/228i competitor I WILL buy. Promise.

      Reply
  8. So here is what is puzzling to me. If the CT5 will be starting in the 35K to 45K range we can imagine the CT3 will be 30K to 40? The CT6 will start at the mid $55 to $85 grand range like it dose now so what will cadillac offer in a actual premium price?

    It seems like Cadillac is moving further down hill and to confuse things more will be priced in the same ballpark as some Buicks. Now unless Cadillac still has some ultra luxo model’s in the works, I cannot see how Cadillac is anywhere near Audi, BMW, M-B arena. If anything Cadillac seems like it is fine in the Infiniti or Lincoln ballpark. Hopefully Cadillac has more exciting things in store other then a few CUVs.

    Reply
    1. Its all about options, even now the CTS starts at $46k and goes up to $100k with a loaded V. Even though they are calling the CT5 one sedan I wouldn’t be surprised to see an extended wheelbase option show up on our shores like the Infiniti Q70L since they are already going to build one for the Chinese market; and/or do a 4 door coupe variant like the BMW 3 Gran Turismo at a premium (which is based of the China only LWB 3 series). All can be the same CT5 platform just cut at different lengths, styled, and priced differently.

      Reply
      1. Here’s my picture of the lineup

        CT3 $31k
        CT3-V $55k

        CT5 $35k
        CT5-L $37k Platinum $57k Platinum V-Sport $67k
        CT5-GT $44k Platinum $60k Platinum V-Sport $70k
        CT5-V $79k
        CT5-GT-V $84k

        Plus add in some Plug-in hybrid variants, couple engines, and option packages in-between.

        CT6 $50k Platinum $85k
        CT6-Plug In $75k

        Reply
      2. Scratch my last post, I put together a more complete picture of my lineup

        CT3 $31k Luxury $36k Premium $41k
        CT3-V $55k

        CT5 $35k Luxury $40k Premium $45k Premium Performance $50k
        CT5-L $37k Luxury $42k Premium $47k Premium Performance $52k Platinum $62k Premium V-Sport $57k Platinum V-Sport $67k
        CT5-GT Luxury $45k Premium $50k Premium Performance $55k Platinum $65k Premium V-Sport $60k Platinum V-Sport $70k
        CT5-V $79k
        CT5-GT-V $84k

        Premium Performance/Platinum models can be all hybrids/Plug-in option and retire the mid level V6
        Platinum models include Super Cruse

        CT6 $50k Luxury $59k Premium Luxury $65k Platinum $85k
        CT6-Plug In $75k

        Reply
  9. Taking a quick peak at the dimensions, I don’t think the sizes of the ATS or CTS will change much. Compared to the Audi A3, the ATS is around the same size inside and out, save the wheelbase and length. In fact, the A3 rear has a bit more space than the ATS. Scaling it down would essentially make it as uninhabitable as the Camaro. The CT5 could see a bigger change since the CTS is the longest in its class. We’ll probably see it tighten up more to bring it in between the the previous generations of CTS.

    As far as engines, I could see the CT3 go all turbo 4, with a boosted VSport somewhere over 300 hp. The CT5 will probably carryover the same turbo 4 as the CTS, but will also get the 3.0TT of the CT6 and maybe the upcoming 4.2TT V8 for the VSport. CT5 V will probably be the same Supercharged V8, though I wouldn’t rule out the TT 6.2 that is in development.

    Reply
  10. I’d like to see Cadillac work on cargo capacity a bit. ATS is at the bottom of its segment. I looked at an XT5 for my family, and the hatch area was just too small, though the cabin was roomy. I know other lux manufacturers also make smaller trunks than your average mainstream brand, but this used to be a competitive advantage for Cadillac and GM in general.

    Reply
  11. It sounds like Cadillac is stepping backwards on strategy here. All the cars the A3 competes with are FWD and AWD clearly RWD isn’t a must have in this segment. People buy A3s because they’re cheap Audis not that its a phenomenal vehicle. It being an Audi is it’s biggest selling point Audi has the prestige to do that Cadillac doesnt. A Cadillac the size of an A3 sounds like a bad idea. The ATS and CTS have great handling but boring styling and low quality interiors compared to the competition its what’s wrong with a lot of new GM cars why not fix what’s wrong with the cars instead of a whole new plan. The CT6 Being a replacement for the CTS makes Cadillac GMs Lincoln……the CTS replacement will compete with the A4 while being much larger like the Lincoln Fusion the MKZ . Big step backwards for a brand struggling for identity

    Reply
    1. I disagree and like the strategy of the replacements. The first and second gen CTS was successful because that car straddles between the low and mid executive classes on price and interior volume like the CT6. Cadillac found a niche for that segment which proved successful and will return back to it.

      It does not mean that Cadillac is going down market, but going in a direction that proved that worked for them in the first place.

      However, like the second gen. CTS, I would not be surprise starting prices would rise few to several thousand $ based on how well received the two successors are on volume. But since CUVs are in demand, pricing could stay where they are at for that cycle run.

      Reply
  12. Now that China is the #1 market for Cadillac, I expect the CT5 will be (as much as anything else), an ATS-L replacement. That car sells about 4K per month in China, so it’s an audience worth keeping. CT3/4? I think it could go FWD/AWD and if properly priced and packaged, do just fine. As proven by the sales of CUV’s of all shapes and sizes all over the globe, fewer and fewer people care about driving dynamics.

    Reply
    1. Well, the ATS-L was a stop-gap until the “real” solutions come along — the right-sized models.

      The Chinese just want more rear seat room… and as affordable a price as possible for that — hence the reason for the “stretched” models — they would rather buy a stretched compact that comes close to a midsize (ATS-L) over a true midsize (CTS). But the current CTS is not produced in China, so there’s that.

      As for China having very recently become Cadillac’s largest market by volume, I wouldn’t latch on to it that much. The volume is there, but the profits are not. So while selling more cars in China is great, the focus is and should remain North America. I’ll put it this way: there is more profit in selling 5 times fewer Cadillacs in Canada than there is selling 12,000 cars in China.

      Reply
      1. I guess I think that SAIC is a more influential “partner” than most folks at the “RenCen” would be willing to ever admit. Certainly I could be wrong, but the amounts of money that have been invested over there are enormous. To think that “GM China” doesn’t have a significant say in the decisions about development of new models, especially Buicks and Cadillacs? I can’t imagine they don’t.

        Reply
  13. Cadillac designers need to pick a design for the next generation CT5 so that the car looks ageless because the current car got old fast and part of it might have been that the CTS looked too much like the ATS; Cadillac also needs to decide whether to build a coupe.. imagine if NASCAR decided on using a Cadillac CTS Coupe for their Monster Energy Cup instead of the Camaro as that would have generated some excitement.

    Reply
    1. I would agree about the ageless part, but I would also say that the current, third-gen CTS is an excellent-looking car that has aged extremely well, if at all.

      I would bet that there will be at least one coupe variant of either the CT3 or CT5… hoping for both, though not holding my breath given the decreased popularity of the segments. That said, per-unit profits are sky-high on luxury coupes of all sizes when derived from sedans.

      Reply
  14. Great future news Cadillac–want to replace my 2008 CTS–which has and is a great car.

    Reply
  15. I still think Caddy should keep the XTS around as another Large sedan option, for no advertising, and very few on dealer lots, the car is still selling pretty well.

    Caddy says that it doesn’t fit with their future image….. did MB stop selling the G-wagon just because it doesn’t match their lineup… no, they just made it as MB-like as possible, and don’t mention it.

    Every time Caddy sells an XTS, it all profit because of the shared platform, it couldn’t possibly cost that much to keep producing it. Plus, the CT6 is wayy more expensive than the upcoming CT5, so it would be nice to have a “bridge car”.

    Reply
    1. I think the XTS is a fantastic looking car, but unfortunately, Cadillac will do away with this car in ’20 or ’21.

      Also, the carry-over engines and transmissions are now dated for the refresh models and more than likely will discontinue for good after that.

      Reply
  16. So what will happen to the CTS-V?! Will there be a CT5-V? Will GM finally bring back a Manual option?! *rolls eyes*

    Reply
    1. More than likely the V series for the ATS and CTS could live on for another year or two before the CT5-V and CT3(4)-V debut.

      Reply
  17. Well I have the ATS-V 2016 Coupe. I adore this car. My lease is up November 2018. So I am lost as to what happens to the ATS-V series. Looks like 2018 will be the last of this Series so who knows what will happen to the 2019 V. So my quandary is lease practically the same car probably for more $$$, buy out this one for an inflated residual which I will not do or get a BMW M2. Not many can keep up with my ATS-V speed and handling. Thank you.

    Reply

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