Cadillac CTS sales decreased in the United States in decreased in Canada in October 2017.
Cadillac CTS Sales - October 2017 - United States
In the United States, Cadillac CTS deliveries totaled 779 units in October 2017, a decrease of about 24 percent compared to 1,024 units sold in October 2016.In the first ten months of the year, CTS sales decreased about 33 percent to 8,883 units.
| MODEL | OCT 2017 / OCT 2016 | OCTOBER 2017 | OCTOBER 2016 | YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 | YTD 2017 | YTD 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTS | -23.93% | 779 | 1,024 | -32.56% | 8,883 | 13,172 |
Cadillac CTS Sales - October 2017 - Canada
In Canada, Cadillac CTS deliveries totaled 32 units in October 2017, a decrease of about 56 percent compared to 73 units sold in October 2016.In the first ten months of the year, CTS sales decreased about 38 percent to 446 units.
| MODEL | OCT 2017 / OCT 2016 | OCTOBER 2017 | OCTOBER 2016 | YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 | YTD 2017 | YTD 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTS | -56.16% | 32 | 73 | -38.14% | 446 | 721 |
The GM Authority Take
CTS sales continue to suffer at the hands of newer and more modern competitors alongside 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, BMW 5 and 6 series in second, Audi A6/A7 in third, Genesis G80 in fourth, and the Volvo S90/V90 family in fifth (with a cumulative 1,178 sales). The CTS did, however, finish ahead of the Lexus GS, Infiniti Q70, and Acura RLX.
In addition, the CTS’ 24 percent sales slide represented the second-highest drop in its class behind the Lexus GS, whose sales fell 60 percent.
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 any 8-speed transmission outside the V-Sport variant). 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 - October 2017 - United States
| MODEL | OCT 17 / OCT 16 | OCTOBER 17 | OCTOBER 16 | YTD 17 / YTD 16 | YTD 17 | YTD 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-CLASS | +22.32% | 4,681 | 3,827 | -0.51% | 41,192 | 41,403 |
| 5 SERIES | +132.28% | 3,396 | 1,462 | +9.41% | 31,913 | 29,167 |
| 6 SERIES | +6.25% | 374 | 352 | -20.70% | 2,635 | 3,323 |
| A6 | -14.84% | 1,217 | 1,429 | -14.16% | 12,994 | 15,138 |
| A7 | -20.24% | 465 | 583 | -24.50% | 3,904 | 5,171 |
| G80 | +26.96% | 1,408 | 1,109 | +248.41% | 13,264 | 3,807 |
| S90 | +166.10% | 934 | 351 | +580.50% | 6,526 | 959 |
| V90 | * | 31 | * | * | 151 | * |
| V90 CC | * | 213 | * | * | 1,736 | * |
| CTS | -23.93% | 779 | 1,024 | -32.56% | 8,883 | 13,172 |
| GS | -59.80% | 558 | 1,388 | -50.47% | 6,118 | 12,352 |
| Q70 | -16.19% | 378 | 451 | +0.81% | 4,986 | 4,946 |
| RLX | +6.45% | 99 | 93 | -19.55% | 922 | 1,146 |
| TOTAL | +20.42% | 14,533 | 12,069 | +3.55% | 135,224 | 130,584 |
Cumulative sales of the midsize luxury car segment grew 20 percent in October. During the first ten months of 2017, segment sales increased 6.3 percent to 135,224 units.
- 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
- BMW:
- 5 Series figures include BMW 5 Series sedan and 5 Series Gran Turismo
- 6 Series figures include BMW 6 Series coupe, 6 Series convertible, 6 Series Gran Coupé and 6 Series Gran Turismo
- Though they are split out on the sales chart, we count these models as a single model given that they are all mechanically related and target similar customers
- Audi:
- A6 figures include Audi A6 and S6
- A7 figures include Audi A7, S7 and RS7
- Though they are split out on the sales chart, we count these models as a single model given that they are all mechanically related and target similar customers
- Q70 figures include Infiniti Q70 and Q70L
- S90, V90, V90 CC include:
- Volvo S90, the sedan variant of Volvo 90 series
- Volvo V90, the wagon variant of Volvo 90 series
- Volvo 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 October 2016 sales, except as noted
- In the United States, there were 25 selling days in October 2017 and 26 selling days in October 2016
- In Canada, there were 24 selling days in October 2017 and 25 selling days in October 2016
Related News & Info
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Comments
Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen once said he didn’t want Cadillac’s CTS to be as popular as the Chevrolet Cruze and didn’t want the street filled with them, de Nysschen’s plan is working too effectively and needs to reverse course as Cadillac needs or risk being replaced by Chevrolet’s President who appears to know what the market wants.
Do you have any understanding of what you are talking about?
The attention is not on the current ATS and CTS… never has been. The attention is on the next products. Your tongue in cheek comment is cute but it shows you don’t get the strategy.
Also, Chevrolet’s “president” is Alan Batey, who is also tasked with running GMNA, so the Chevy title is an afterthought for him. Chevrolet as a brand needs much work and attention that Batey isn’t giving it.
Othertwise, we would have already had a Raptor fighter and performance models of the sedan lineup five years ago, not to mention basic features available on the Chevrolet sedan lineup like AWD, projector beam or HID headlights, old rack attachment systems, etc.
Let’s be real here! The biggest reason is no doubt number 3: and mostly because the price is too darn high! The last gen CTS started several thousands cheaper than this 3rd gen model, and topped out with a 556 HP beast for a cool $75K! I know the idea was to move the CTS upmarket to make room for the (also failing) ATS to more effectively compete in the compact luxury sedan segment. But the fact is Caddy should be playing the value card more like they were with the first and second iterations of the CTS! Buyers flocked to the tweener CTS! Which is why they should’ve left the compact luxury sedan segment to Buick with the Verano!
Agreed with the part about #3 being the biggest limiting sales factor. However, I think it has more to do with the RFTs, stiffer ride (compared to previous gens), limited visibility, and reliability issues. But of course the high price is a large part of the problem as well.
Seems like the current CTS has been around forever. Why would I want another when the lease is up? It the same model as before!
After 10 months, with new models from: Mercedes, BMW, Genesis & Volvo
Only 135,000 Midsized Luxury cars were sold.
Cadillac is going to need to do some really creative math to justify the cost of the CT5.
The XTS is a year older than the CTS, marketing support is equally non-existent, yet it sold nearly 3x as many units in October than the CTS. Why? Probably because it is a real Cadillac, not a generic sports-sedan.
When you make generic sports-sedans, apparently there’s a short lifespan for sales, because the market wants the latest models. When you make real Cadillacs, no one else offers real Cadillacs, therefore you are not as much up against the clock in terms of having customers go to the competition.
By the way, the pictures of the CTS used in this feature were actually of the CTS-V, which looks fairly hideous IMO. The (non-V) CTS looks classy, but the Frankensteinian CTS-V is a more appropriate picture, since Cadillac trying to make sports-sedans has thus far produced only compromised monstrosities.
It’s sad that JDN is determined to kill off what works for Cadillac in favor of what he likes, but the fault there ultimately rests with GM and Mary Barra. Can’t blame JDN for being JDN.
I have owned an ATS and also driven CTS loaner when in for Cadillac service. I think they are outstanding cars.
There seems to be minimal TV advertising for Cadillacs sedans. Recently I’ve seen Cadillac TV ads for $15 off on service and another for tires. No advertising for the car itself.
Maybe they are saving all their money to advertise and promote XT4, CT3, and CT5.
I hope they also offer a convertible.
I agree, I had a 13 ATS 3.6 Premium and it was a wonderful car. I think they are wasting their time and should be selling the ATS-L that is sold in China, here. It has a much bigger back seat which has always been a critique. Clearly Cadillac has room for improvement but the CTS is a great car and I even like the XTS too. I agree on marketing which is non-existent and where i live I see more Tesla’s on a daily basis than the CTS or ATS combined. I think Cad should go back to names on each new product cycle and dump the crappy CT/XT nonsense, it simply isnt their heritage or speaks to “luxury” IMO. I’m not sure about the competition either or even the magazines. THe new E class only comes with a 245 hp turbo 4 and to get it equipped the way a luxury car should be it’ll push mid 60’s or higher. I recently drove one that was 68K w/o a leather interior. Caddy needs better comparison marketing too as they have significant content, standard… again, alot more room for improvement and the dealers are mostly sub-par as well. Where I live in Atl the nearest Caddy dealers (4) are all in the suburbs but more affluent urban areas are loaded with Teslas and the Mercedes dealer is within walking distance…. They need to put dealers where the money to buy the cars is located..