Cadillac CTS sales decreased in the United States and in Canada in August 2017.
Cadillac CTS Sales - August 2017 - United States
In the United States, Cadillac CTS deliveries totaled 1,200 units in August 2017, a decrease of about 16 percent compared to 1,426 units sold in August 2016.In the first eight months of the year, CTS sales decreased about 34 percent to 7,045 units.
| MODEL | AUG 2017 / AUG 2016 | AUGUST 2017 | AUGUST 2016 | YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 | YTD 2017 | YTD 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTS | -15.85% | 1,200 | 1,426 | -33.82% | 7,045 | 10,645 |
Cadillac CTS Sales - August 2017 - Canada
In Canada, Cadillac CTS deliveries totaled 53 units in August 2017, a decrease of about 62 percent compared to 141 units sold in August 2016.In the first eight months of the year, CTS sales decreased about 31 percent to 379 units.
| MODEL | AUG 2017 / AUG 2016 | AUGUST 2017 | AUGUST 2016 | YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 | YTD 2017 | YTD 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTS | -62.41% | 53 | 141 | -31.22% | 379 | 551 |
The GM Authority Take
The story with the CTS is nearly identical to that of the ATS: sales continue to suffer at the hands of newer and more modern competitors, as the vehicle soldiers on as the oldest model in its class and nearly non-existent marketing support.
This series of events has led the CTS family to come in sixth place out of nine in terms of cumulative sales volume in its segment, behind the Mercedes-Benz E-Class in first (down 26.81 percent to 3,710 units, which include the E-Class coupe, convertible, and wagon), the BMW 5 series in second (up 37.64 percent to 3,587 units), Genesis G80 in third (with 1,484 sales), Audi A6 family in fourth (down 30 percent to 1,380 units), and the Volvo S90/V90 family in fifth (with 1,203 sales). The CTS did finish ahead of the Lexus GS (down 44 percent to 689 units), Infiniti Q70 (down nearly 9 percent to 400 units), and Acura RLX (down 6.78 percent to 110 units).
In addition, three models in the segment posted higher sales drops than the CTS during the month, including the E-Class, A6, and GS.
We attribute the decrease in U.S. CTS deliveries to the following three factors:
- The age of the current model: though the CTS is a solid car, it is also the oldest in its segment (tied with the Audi A6). Though its age isn’t as noticeable as that of the ATS, it is still not as competitive as its most direct rivals, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series, both of which have recently been overhauled as all-new models. The product’s negative attributes also include various refinement items and details, such as the cabin and the powertrain (specifically the 2.0L Turbo LTG engine and 8-speed transmission). The CTS does, however, excel in terms of driving dynamics, in-vehicle technology, and safety.
- A lack of marketing support: the CTS sees extremely little advertising from Cadillac, thereby decreasing awareness of the model for potential new customers.
- The inability to retain existing CTS owners: Cadillac has not been as successful in retaining CTS customers for a follow-up purchase, either as a result of product-related reasons or being out-marketed by competitors, with customers switching to rival luxury brands in the segment.
We don’t foresee CTS sales picking until its replacement – the CT5 – arrives in the 2019-2020 timeframe.
Sales Numbers - Midsize Luxury Cars - August 2017 - United States
| MODEL | AUG 17 / AUG 16 | AUGUST 17 | AUGUST 16 | YTD 17 / YTD 16 | YTD 17 | YTD 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-CLASS | -26.81% | 3,710 | 5,069 | -1.24% | 32,345 | 32,752 |
| 5 SERIES | +37.64% | 3,587 | 2,606 | -5.29% | 24,799 | 26,184 |
| G80 | -0.87% | 1,484 | 1,497 | +600.67% | 10,489 | 1,497 |
| A6 | -29.59% | 1,380 | 1,960 | -12.74% | 10,567 | 12,110 |
| S90 | +373.20% | 918 | 194 | +948.12% | 4,727 | 451 |
| V90 | * | 32 | * | * | 93 | * |
| V90 CC | * | 253 | * | * | 1,320 | * |
| CTS | -15.85% | 1,200 | 1,426 | -33.82% | 7,045 | 10,645 |
| GS | -43.89% | 689 | 1,228 | -50.56% | 4,894 | 9,898 |
| Q70 | -8.88% | 400 | 439 | -0.86% | 4,058 | 4,093 |
| RLX | -6.78% | 110 | 118 | -23.34% | 729 | 951 |
| TOTAL | -5.32% | 13,763 | 14,537 | +2.52% | 101,066 | 98,581 |
Cumulative sales of the midsize luxury car segment decreased 5.32 percent to 13,763 units in August. During the first eight months of 2017, segment sales increased 2.52 percent to 101,066 units. For both August and year-to-date, CTS sales have decreased faster than the rest of the segment.
- CTS sales include Cadillac CTS Sedan, CTS V-Sport Sedan, and CTS-V Sedan
- E-Class figures include Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, E-Class Wagon, E-Class Coupe and CLS-Class
- 5 Series figures include BMW 5 Series sedan and 5 Series GT
- A6 figures include Audi A6 and S6
- Q70 figures include Q70 and Q70L
- S90, V90, V90 CC include:
- S90, the sedan variant of Volvo 90 series
- V90, the wagon variant of Volvo 90 series
- V90 CC, the ruggedized wagon variant of Volvo V90
- Sales figures for the Jaguar XF and Maserati Ghibli, which compete in the midsize luxury car class, are not included since Jaguar does not disclose sales by vehicle line
About Cadillac CTS
2017 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan Carbon Black
The Cadillac CTS is a midsize luxury sedan family that includes the CTS Sedan, CTS V-Sport Sedan, and ultra high-performance CTS-V variant. The vehicle slots above the compact Cadillac ATS and below the full-size Cadillac CT6.
The current, third generation CTS was introduced for the 2014 model year. The vehicle is based on the extended-length wheelbase variant of the GM Alpha platform. The same platform underpins the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro while a shorter variant of the same architecture underpins the Cadillac ATS.
For the 2018 model year, the CTS gets a new exterior color, an automatic heated steering wheel, the all-new CUE 3.0 infotainment system, and the deletion of the Carbon Black Package. The vehicle is expected to be replaced by an entirely new, next-generation model called Cadillac CT5 for either the 2019 or 2020 model years. As such, the 2018 model year CTS could be the last year of the current, third-gen model.
The Cadillac CTS is built exclusively at the GM Lansing Grand River factory in Michigan operated by GM USA. The vehicle is currently not offered in China, which will likely change for the CT5, since we expect a GM China factory to build the next-gen vehicle for the Chinese market.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Cadillac CTS August 2016 sales
- In the United States, there were 27 selling days in August 2017 and 26 selling days in August 2016
- In Canada, there were 26 selling days in August 2017 and 25 selling days in August 2016 (Canada)
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Comments
🙁 Though the CTS has been suffering a sales slide for so long, it still pains me to see such a stellar luxury sedan fall prey to this CUV/SUV-crazed market! If only they’d made this ten years ago…. Oh well! As long as the class-leading driving dynamics remain, I’m looking forward to what the replacement model has to offer.
Yup, those stellar driving dynamics should remain on the CT5.
As it relates to crossovers… I have to wonder when Cadillac will realize that the opportunity exists to make a range of CUVs with stellar driving dynamics like the ATS, CTS, and CT6… rather than the unbalanced/nose heavy XT5.
As for the ATS, the CTS needs a midlife refresh.
Do you really think that a refresh will help? I’m not convinced that it will.
And outside of that, what’s the goal here? To chase some volume number with old product or to focus all attention and financial resources on a winning formula via a future vehicle? The latter seems like a more viable option.
What needs to happen is an all-new product program to replace the ATS and CTS with vehicles positioned and priced well to give Cadillac an advantage. That is something that is not attainable with the current models, no matter how many refreshes you give them.
In all, we must consider the back-office impact of all this stuff – and the opportunity of focusing all resources on new product is greater than whatever benefits would be realized by giving the older products attention. Plus, refreshing the old vehicles would delay the new ones.
Here is what is going on.
Yes it is a old car in terms of this segment.
The entire segment is slumping so they are not alone.
In this segment you need to continually update as brand loyalty here is not what it once was. Today the big thing is owning the latest and greatest. Image for the owner is what rules here and even the BMW owner grows tired of the non leading edge model.
As for putting money in these models is pointless as is marketing them when you plan to change the style and image. Why tell people it’s is the greatest for them only to turn it over in a year. Not to mention the waste of funds that would do more good in the new models.
We are on the verge of a major reset so what we have now really is pointless to promote or preserve.
Now for the CUV models Cadillac is well aware of the market for stellar driving dynamics. It will be addressed by them be it FWD and RWD based models. Audi has prove one and BMW the other can be done either way.
I really do not think some grasp the magnitude of the future changes. This is going to be big very big. It may be one of the greatest changes any GM division has seen in such a short time.
We now have a division with their own dedicated engineering team. They have their own dedicated styling and design team. They have proper funding and autonomy. Yet even still using GM bases platforms they can make them fully their own. Many were already conceived as Cadillas before they were shared.
Word of caution. One model and one year will turn this around. It will take years as several upgrades to these models to make the full turn. The key will be to see the improvements are regular and continue with each model.
It takes time, investment and hard work to earn the trust and admiration of the customers to regain that image.
Just look at th e time and investment it took to deal with the Densli line and they lacked much of the resources Cadillac possesses. They will do their change a little faster but trust and image take time to earn.
Scott – I agree with you on everything except for two small, but important details.
“Cadillac is well aware of the market for stellar driving dynamics” and “Audi has prove one and BMW the other can be done either way.”
1. Audi has proven that all-wheel-drive crossovers with a longitudinal engine orientation can have decent performance. The key is the engine placement, and it’s what helps Audi be Audi and achieve better vehicle weight distribution compared to models with transversely-mounted engines. And for the purpose of driving, we might as well call Audis with quattro rear-wheel-drive… since they divert 60-70 percent of the power (depending on model) to the rear wheels.
2. Unfortunately, GM currently has zero crossover platforms with a longitudinal engine setup… so it won’t be able to do anything remotely close to Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, or Land Rover in terms of making a formidable, sporty crossover.
Even worse, there is no platform in development that will be able to support this kind of vehicle, either. Alpha 2 that will underpin A2SS (ATS replacement/CT3) and A2SL (CTS replacement/CT5) will not be capable of supporting crossovers, just like Alpha 1. Omega might be able to do it… but with heavy modifications. VS-R won’t be able to do it, from what I’m hearing.
3. So to GM and Cadillac, crossovers = front-drive mommy mobiles with plebeian driving dynamics. They have essentially painted themselves out of the running in competing with European crossovers and seem perfectly content on with competing with the Japanese instead. It’s a sad reality… especially for a Cadillac enthusiast and owner such as myself.
I hope to see Cadillac come out with a more performance oriented rwd/awd based CUV with similiar dimensions to the current CTS. Approx 115″ WB and 195″ overall length, comparable to a Jeep GC or RR Sport. Also, what happened to the TT V8 Cadillac was developing? Haven’t heard anything about it lately. I was disappointed when it was disclosed that it would be 4.2Ls, would’ve been more exciting if they developed 2 displacements, 4.5Ls and 4.9Ls, nostalgic for the High-Tech Cadillac V8s of the past.
Nothing “happened” to the Cadillac 4.2L. It’s still coming and will roll out with the wave of upcoming product set to be introduced starting next year through 2020.
And 4.2 liters is plenty. The most exciting modern engine is (arguably) the Mercedes-Benz 4.0L TT. Drive any of the MBZ cars that it powers (typically the AMG models), and you will instantly forget 4.5L, 4.9L, 6.2L, or other motors displacing more volume. It’s a work of art and science… especially in the Mercedes-AMG GT R.
If Cadillac’s 4.2 can be as good or better, then it will have accomplished its mission.
How can anyone expect CTS sales or sales of any product for that matter to increase if you don’t advertise. I don’t remember the last time I saw an ad for the Cadillac CTS. And the last one I saw was so lame it should never have aired. I believe in advertising…Advertising sells. Let me re-phrase that…GOOD advertising sell. The current Cadillac campaign could sell a glass of water to man dying of thirst. If you don’t agree just look at competitive ads. Even Toyota’s ads have become dynamic. Mercedes and BMW ads always show cars sliding, jumping and doing all sorts of things you wouldn’t consider doing in a $70,000 or $80,000 luxury car, but they make people want that car. When Mr. Ellinghaus figures that out Cadillac sales will increase. I only hope he gets a clue before its too late.
Cadillac doesn’t spend very much money in advertisement especially not for the CTS, you don’t see ads for the CTS on TV or in print; one also has to wonder whether a single body style was really the right decision to make given that the development and production cost for a 2-door coupe or a sport-wagon wasn’t significant as well as the fact that the CTS suffers from rear passenger room just like the ATS which means it would be great if Cadillac followed the approach of Cadillac of China in building a long wheelbase which will afford rear passengers a few extra inches of legroom.
You keep bringing the long wheelbase stuff up, but it will not happen. All of the vehicles in question (CTS, ATS) will grow slightly for the next generation, thereby solving the sizing problem. These will be sold globally in the same size.
That’s it. Problem solved. No need for long wheelbase nonsense.
The new Cadillacs are outright BMW copies. The truly well-healed luxury car buyer is going to buy the original every time and those purchasers who seek to imitate the affluent need to get a good deal in order to sign on the dotted line. Cadillac is selling a copy for the price of the original. There’s little market for that.
What actually happened is that GM, in their great wisdom, neutered the CTS-V by stripping the manual trans option and then bumped the starting MSRP by ~$20k, totally screwing their loyal customers. I was one, having bought a 2004 Gen1 and a 2011 Gen2, but left to greener pastures when they left out the manual trans. “Whoops!” -GM