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Cadillac XT5 Sales Increase 4.8 Percent To 5,623 Units In November 2017

Cadillac XT5 sales increased in the United States and decreased in Canada in November 2017.

Cadillac XT5 Sales - November 2017 - United States

In the United States, Cadillac XT5 deliveries totaled 5,623 units in November 2017, an increase of about 5 percent compared to 5,364 units sold in November 2016.

In the first eleven months of the year, XT5 sales increased about 92 percent to 61,424 units.
MODEL NOV 2017 / NOV 2016 NOVEMBER 2017 NOVEMBER 2016YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 YTD 2017 YTD 2016
XT5 +4.83% 5,623 5,364 +91.66% 61,424 32,049

Cadillac XT5 Sales - November 2017 - Canada

In Canada, Cadillac XT5 deliveries totaled 448 units in November 2017, a decrease of about 6 percent compared to 477 units sold in November 2016.

In the first eleven months of the year, XT5 sales increased about 161 percent to 6,170 units.
MODEL NOV 2017 / NOV 2016 NOVEMBER 2017 NOVEMBER 2016YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 YTD 2017 YTD 2016
XT5 -6.08% 448 477 +160.56% 6,170 2,368

The GM Authority Take

The XT5’s November sales performance places it in second place in its segment, behind the Lexus RX (down 1.6 percent to 10,102 units). However, sales of the Acura MDX (up nearly 16 percent to 5,341 units) was nipping on the Cadillac’s heels. The Acura was able to realize the impressive growth rate, the highest in the segment, by Honda moving production of the vehicle to a plant than can produce more of the model a few months ago. The Lincoln MKX took last, fourth place in the segment (up 6.8 percent to 2,619 units; see Lincoln MKX sales). For the 2019 model year, the MKX will be relaunched as the Lincoln Nautilus, while also gaining a few extra changes.

We attribute the growth in the XT5 November sales volume to the ongoing shift in consumer buying dynamics that favors crossover utility vehicles at the expense of other vehicle types like sedans and hatchbacks. However, the crossover did see the lowest growth in its segment during the month, which is concerning.

Sales Numbers - Midsize Premium Luxury Crossovers - November 2017 - United States

MODEL NOV 17 / NOV 16 NOVEMBER 17 NOVEMBER 16 YTD 17 / YTD 16 YTD 17 YTD 16
RX -1.63% 10,102 10,269 -0.21% 94,356 94,553
XT5 +4.83% 5,623 5,364 +91.66% 61,424 32,049
MDX +15.56% 5,341 4,622 -0.90% 48,810 49,252
MKX +6.85% 2,619 2,451 +2.24% 28,055 27,440
TOTAL +4.31% 23,685 22,706 +14.44% 232,645 203,294

The mid-size premium luxury crossover segment grew 4.3 percent in November and 14.4 percent to 232,645 units in the first 11 months of 2017.

Below, we provide sales figures for midsize sport-luxury crossovers, including the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class (which includes GLE-Class Coupe), BMW X5 and X6, and Infiniti QX70. Despite being similar in size to the XT5, RX, MDX and MKX, these models have starting prices roughly $10,000-$15,000 above, placing them in a different segment. This segment also includes the Jaguar F-Pace and Maserati Levante, but sales figures for these models are not available.

Sales Numbers - Midsize Sport-Luxury Crossovers - November 2017 - United States

MODEL NOV 17 / NOV 16 NOVEMBER 17 NOVEMBER 16 YTD 17 / YTD 16 YTD 17 YTD 16
X5 +17.52% 5,515 4,693 +6.21% 43,968 41,396
X6 +31.20% 799 609 -8.67% 5,775 6,323
GLE-CLASS +4.69% 4,914 4,694 +5.53% 48,772 46,217
QX70 -63.88% 268 742 +27.27% 6,586 5,175
TOTAL +7.06% 11,496 10,738 +6.04% 105,101 99,111

About Cadillac XT5

2017 Cadillac XT5 Platinum Exterior Review 029 driving by water

The Cadillac XT5 is a midsize crossover that replaced the Cadillac SRX. Currently the only crossover in the Cadillac lineup, the vehicle will soon be flanked by a smaller Cadillac XT4 and a larger crossover believed to be the Cadillac XT6.

Currently in its first generation, the XT5 was introduced for the 2017 model year. The vehicle is based on the regular-length wheelbase variant of the GM C1 platform shared with the second-generation GMC Acadia and upcoming, future Chevrolet Blazer. A longer-wheelbase variant of the same platform underpins the second-gen Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave.

For the 2018 model year, the XT5 gets several new exterior colors, a new “base” trim level that offers all-wheel-drive, the Rear Seat Reminder technology, and various new accessories.

For North American markets, the Cadillac XT5 is built exclusively at the GM Spring Hill factory in Tennessee operated by GM USA. For the Chinese market, the vehicle is built at the Cadillac China Jinqiao factory operated by GM China.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Cadillac XT5 November 2016 sales
  • In the United States, there were 25 selling days in November 2017 and 25 selling days in November 2016
  • In Canada, there were 26 selling days in November 2017 and 26 selling days in November 2016

Related Sales Reporting

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

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Comments

  1. If other car makers mid-size offerings are similar in size but the cost difference is 10-15,000 dollars aren’t they still in the same segment ? Size not price should dictate the segment . It may be that some of the other crossovers offer options that you can’t get in cheaper vehicles .
    Cadillac really needs to pay attention to this segment as there are so many other makes wanting their slice of this pie . I read an article recently that some analyists are noticing a change towards the 7-8 passenger cars . People want that extra row of seats that you can’t get with a mid-size offering . Take a look at Lexus coming out with their longer RX-350L , and RX-450L answering the critics that the regular size didn’t have that 3rd row .
    GM has part of this segment covered with the Buick and Chevy but Cadillac does not and won’t for atleast another year . Late to the party again .
    II notice that the new Mazda CX-5 wasn’t mentioned in the article , same segment , different price though . The interior of this crossover is actually outstanding as is the CX-9 .

    Reply
    1. 1. “If other car makers mid-size offerings are similar in size but the cost difference is 10-15,000 dollars aren’t they still in the same segment? Size not price should dictate the segment It may be that some of the other crossovers offer options that you can’t get in cheaper vehicles”

      Well, it’s not a black and white determination. What “should” dictate a segment is becoming quite amorphous. Size and price are the two determining ones. From the other end of the segment spectrum, one might consider demographics: two vehicles of the same “size” and similar “price” could be shopped by one set of buyers with certain common demographics, but not the others. The best example of this is the BMW 3 Series compared to the Buick Regal.

      In this case, all vehicles mentioned in the article are in the same “segment” from a size standpoint. Price-wise, the Cadillac, Lexus, Acura and Lincoln are not at in the same category as the German or Italian offerings.

      Do consumers buy vehicles on size or price? Does the consumer make the payment to the length or size of the car, or does s/he make payments from their bank? The price is more often than not the determining factor.

      From a price standpoint, the vehicles that compete with the XT5 and RX are the GLC-Class, X3/X4, Stelvio… from a size standpoint, it’s the GLE-Class, X5/X6, Levante…

      2. The strategy Cadillac is most likely to pursue in regards to a three-row crossover is to derive a model off GM’s C1 long wheelbase platform used by the Traverse and Enclave… thereby offering a better three-row solution than the Lexus RX350L… which is not really bigger (but rather more boxy in the rear) than the RX while cramming in a third row. In that regard, the RX350L is an exercise in boosting profits by making and selling more vehicles off the exact same line but with a slightly different rear end configuration/top hat… it is not about offering a superior product, or a product that’s good at doing the third row thing.

      3. Cadillac is, indeed, late to the party on the three-row crossover front… as they are in the crossover game altogether. You can thank GM product planning and forecasting circa the year 2012-2014 for that. You can also blame lack of courage by GM and even by the new management at Cadillac, as it would appear that they are scared to make a large crossover that would step on the toes of the Escalade.

      4. The Mazda CX-5 is a compact mainstream crossover. Not only is it a size smaller than the XT5, RX, MKX, and MDX, but it is also not a luxury or a premium offering.

      Different size segment and totally different price point. It’s like you’re trying to lump in the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain in here. Round hole. Square peg.

      It’s very seldom that any of the vehicles mentioned in the article are cross-shopped with a Mazda.

      Reply
      1. Under which Cadillac administration was the XT5 given birth?

        It pre-dates JdN, so someone, somewhere, deserves some credit for what – for now – is Cadillac’s best seller.

        Reply
        1. From what I know, the XT5 was not made/greenlit under a specific Cadillac administrator. It was simply the successor to the SRX… and was always baked into the C1 platform programming under GM proper.

          Put in another way: the XT5 was a GM product in terms of planning and execution. A sad state of affairs, if you ask me… which shows just how much the brand needed to be away from GM Detroit, which simply has no business or experience running a luxury automaker while stifling the necessary creativity and leeway to turn one around.

          Reply
          1. Lool
            I can see that your very disappointed and angery with Cadillac. Same here and most of Cadillac fans are.

            Reply
  2. Alex, thanks for including the next price point higher. This may sound ignorant. Why doesn’t GM position to have Buick go head to head with Asian Luxury and Cadillac head to head with European luxury.
    Thanks, Mike

    Reply
    1. They will but Cadillac need to move up First. The problem is the product is not here yet and consumer demand and trust is not here yet.

      We should see this come about in the coming years and with each release.

      Cadillac needs to earn their place as just raising the price is not how it is done.

      Reply
    2. “Why doesn’t GM position to have Buick go head to head with Asian Luxury and Cadillac head to head with European luxury.”

      Because there isn’t such a thing as European luxury or Asian luxury, or even American luxury. There is just luxury.

      Luxury itself is the total experience that is better than an experience with common product. What makes something a luxury is the production and promotion of its better engineering, features, material quality, design, status, and exclusivity.

      Marketing plays a huge role in the incorrect perception that there significant difference between luxury products from different nations. Some brands don’t need to rely on their nation of origin, while others haven’t got much to talk about except about where they’re from.

      Consider how Apple sells it’s desktop computers. By every technical metric, an iMac IS a PC. They use the same components from established manufacturers, the same processors, the same ram, the same X86 architecture that supports the OS, the same integrated GPUs, and their drives can be partitioned as easily as some low-end Dell unit.

      Apple, however, will convince the unwitting public that they don’t sell PC’s, but that they sell Macs. They don’t have motherboards, they have logic boards. They don’t have hybrid drives, they have fusion drives. They don’t have drive partitioning, the have BootCamp. If Apple can rename any part of the entire product to create an false distinction between their computer and another computer in the consumers head, they consumer won’t care about the technical details.

      And that’s the same kind of malarkey that happens when someone tries to convince you that there exists American luxury, European luxury, or Asian luxury; it’s in name only.

      Reply
    3. Mike – that’s more or less what GM should do, but the strategic vision is poor to non-existent. Or rather, the strategy is kind of there, but the ability to bring it all together cross-divisionally (Buick-Cadillac) is non-existent.

      I wouldn’t call it Asian or European luxury… but personally prefer experiential terms: Buick should be about “pure luxury” focused on delivering key product attributes such as a quiet, soft, comfortable ride… Cadillac should be about red-blooded luxury, bold designs and sporty, exhilarating driving experience.

      As it stands now, both Buick and Cadillac are in no-man’s lands… with Buick having a pure luxury product like the LaCrosse (which should be even softer than it is now) and then having a sport-luxury product like the Regal (thanks to the tie-up with Opel/Europe). Meanwhile, Cadillac’s sedan line (XTS excepting) is sporty and agile, but then we get things like the XT5, which does not impress in the area. The same will likely hold true for the XT4.

      Reply
  3. Lexus RX – with FWD, the most comfortable ride and highest reliability – still leads this sector by a very wide margin. That’s even despite the hideous “Darth Vader” visage; certainly the XT5 is the more attractive vehicle. But Cadillac used to own ride comfort and reliability, and they need to get back to that, IMO.

    Lexus stole Cadillac’s crown and Cadillac should be fighting to get it back, on their terms (which were Cadillac’s terms originally, as the US luxury leader). Let the Germans own the best track times on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, with their Autobahn ready CUVs. Last time I checked, US roads and driving conditions were almost nothing like the Autobahn.

    Reply
    1. 1. Reliability has nothing to with what wheels drive the car.

      2. If you actually knew how these reliability studies are performed (very few outside the industry actually do), then you would understand why Lexus is constantly at the top of the charts. You would also understand why Buick has the best chance of a GM brand to land itself at the top of those studies.

      So, let’s leave the reliability out of it, as it’s not an equal ground of comparison. Why? Refer to the first sentence in my second item/point.

      3. Comfort has nothing to do with what wheels drive the car. We have been over this ad nauseam. Must we go over this again? I heard repetition is the key to learning…

      4. The reason the RX sells at the numbers that it does is because it practically invented the segment. It has then built up a name and a loyal audience, while having the reliability factor you mention. But at the end of the day, it’s not an astounding product. It’s not class-leading in almost any fashion, it’s not earth-shattering, it doesn’t “Dare Greatly” and it is by no means the most sought after (desired).

      5. You speak like all of Germany’s roads are like the Nürburgring or the Autobahn. They are not.

      6. U.S. “roads and driving conditions” are actually quite similar to those in Europe, Germany included. The point is that the same vehicle qualities and characteristics valued in Europe are valued all over the world, including the U.S. Canada, Mexico, China, Russia, and many other countries with developed.

      Have you ever been to Germany or any part of Europe, for that matter? Have you driven there?

      Reply
      1. Alex Luft, the RX has 3 different things – FWD, the most comfortable ride in the class, and the best reliability in the class – I never said these were related.

        I get the feeling that if I told you I had a blue car, hatchback, driven by an electric motor – you’d lecture me that there’s no relationship between the color of the car, the style of trunk, and the power plant. You are the one making those connections, not me.

        Regarding your numbered points:

        1&3 – see above

        2. This is not an explanation by you. I have seen studies that show graphically the breakdown issues per year of ownership. Toyota/Lexus at 10 years has roughly the same number of problems that most German and American brands have at 5 years. For you to say that it’s about the way the studies are done, says nothing. Yes we all know you were “in the industry”, something to do with being “responsible for customer experience”, whatever that means. If you know something enlightening about reliability, then just tell us. When you imply that your “industry experience” makes your view superior, and nothing more, you actually are saying nothing.

        4. Lexus RX has had a lot of competition for a long time, so I’d say they are doing something right. Obviously the RX is not the type of CUV you would chose for yourself. But to claim that it’s the number one choice simply due to inertia is not credible. That’s like saying Sears Roebuck is doing well in retailing, because they were the first mass retailer. Only Sears is not doing so well in retailing now. The Lexus RX is still the dominant luxury CUV, for a reason (or several reasons).

        5. No, not all roads in Germany are like the Autobahn. But the USA has nothing like the Autobahn. There are only 3 states in the USA where you can go over 70 mph, the fastest being 80 mph in a very limited rural area. Rural areas of the Autobahn have no speed limit, otherwise 81 mph (130 kmh) in non-congested areas.

        6. German cars are obviously built to serve the German public. Yes there are some self-described “enthusiasts” in the USA who like German cars, because they want to drive very fast through tight turns. Good for them. The vast majority of the US public does not care to do this. You might not like that, but it’s a fact.

        I’ll now ask you some things – that I doubt you’ll answer, because you never answer anything (you don’t have time, so you say). Can you name even ONE Cadillac “sport” vehicle that has sold very well? The ATS? No. The CTS? No. The CT 6? No. Why do you think Cadillac needs to get away from what made it successful, to pursue something that isn’t working for them? Just because YOU happen to like that type of vehicle? You do realize that this is a business and Cadillac has a glorious history, don’t you? Why do you want Cadillac to throw away their history and continue a failed program of copying the Germans? Lexus basically copied Cadillac’s core values (other than the bold angular styling), and they are doing extremely well because of it. Let the Germans be the Germans. Let Cadillac be Cadillac.

        Reply
        1. By the way Alex, I see that you have changed the wording on your bio from yesterday to today, apparently thanks to my input. That “responsible for customer experience” thing was lame and ambiguous, the new wording is much better and more enlightening. You’re welcome.

          Reply
          1. Sorry to disappoint Drew, but the changes to my bio were already planned for a while and are not related to anything on your end. The world does not revolve around you…

            Reply
        2. Drew – it’s surprising how off you are, once again… and it’s getting exhausting. But I’ll play with what will surely be a long-winded response. Here we go!

          1 & 3: “I get the feeling that if I told you I had a blue car, hatchback, driven by an electric motor – you’d lecture me that there’s no relationship between the color of the car, the style of trunk, and the power plant. You are the one making those connections, not me.”

          Why would you think that I am “lecturing” you? It’s merely a discussion, is it not?

          Instead of lecturing or making connections, I am merely calling out the connections that you were trying to imply in your previous comment. You just didn’t do a good enough job connecting the dots. So in the spirit of avoiding confusion, I cleared it up for you and will do so again: drive wheels (FWD/RWD/AWD) has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to with ride comfort or the sales success of the Lexus RX. Nice and clear, right? You’re welcome.

          2. “This is not an explanation by you. I have seen studies that show graphically the breakdown issues per year of ownership. Toyota/Lexus at 10 years has roughly the same number of problems that most German and American brands have at 5 years. For you to say that it’s about the way the studies are done, says nothing. Yes we all know you were “in the industry”, something to do with being “responsible for customer experience”, whatever that means. If you know something enlightening about reliability, then just tell us. When you imply that your “industry experience” makes your view superior, and nothing more, you actually are saying nothing.”

          Your comments about this subject (in this thread and those previously) make me wonder whether you have issues accepting others’ expertise in an area. Do you? If so, I feel bad for you.

          I might hurt your feelings with what I’m about to say, but I’ll do it anyway – since it needs to be said: you are a not an expert in this field. Honestly, what professional industry experience do you have? I am led to believe that you have none, as you would have mentioned it by now.

          Meanwhile, there are others on here who are interacting with you and trying to explain things to you. But every time someone explains something to you (might I add with a great amount of patience and composure) that you clearly have no understanding of, you simply dismiss it. And that’s just exhausting. Now, you can do this here online… in the real world and in person, you would have already been excluded from the conversation long ago and eyes would have been rolling.

          So, you can argue until you are red in the face… you can question my experience until your vocals give out… but given that you have no education, experience or other forms of deep understanding of the matters we are discussing , you will continue being incorrect.

          As it relates to the quality and reliability topics: during my time at GM, I was directly involved in efforts associated with quality and reliability, including studies such as JDP’s IQS, APEAL, LQS and others. This furnishes me with significant expertise on the matter… exponentially more than you. Heck, I’d be highly surprised if you even knew what either one of those studies are, how they are conducted or what they measure. Go ahead, google them… I’ll wait.

          The bottom line is that difference between me and you is that I can speak about these topics from direct and significant experience. By comparison, you are speaking from a point of zero experience and 100% speculation and conjecture. In other words, nonsense and poppycock.

          And to think that we haven’t even touched on the actual subject matter at hand.

          4. Lexus RX has had a lot of competition for a long time”

          – Incorrect. It was the only vehicle in its segment (which it created) back in 1997/1998. The closest competitor was the Acura MDX 3-4 years later in 2001/2002. The first-gen SRX came out in 2003. That’s several years – significant head start. Your lack of experience continues to shine through.

          You continue…

          “Obviously the RX is not the type of CUV you would chose for yourself.”

          – This is not about a CUV for myself. How did you come to the conclusion that this is what we are discussing – my CUV needs?

          “But to claim that it’s the number one choice simply due to inertia is not credible.”

          – No one is claiming that the RX is the best-selling model in its segment only because of inertia. As I stated earlier, it is because of several factors – which I will break down for you right here:

          1) Established customer base granted by creating the segment, 2) strong customer loyalty to Lexus as a brand, 3) Strength of Lexus as a brand, 4) Perceived reliability of the Lexus brand (in association with Toyota) and 5) low entry level price of the RX.

          5. “No, not all roads in Germany are like the Autobahn. But the USA has nothing like the Autobahn. There are only 3 states in the USA where you can go over 70 mph, the fastest being 80 mph in a very limited rural area. Rural areas of the Autobahn have no speed limit, otherwise 81 mph (130 kmh) in non-congested areas.”

          This is a ridiculous and irrelevant topic in this conversation… but I’ll oblige.

          First – the Autobahn is not representative of how most German drivers experience driving. And most who do drive on it drive at normal speeds. Meanwhile, those in the US drive well over the speed limits on the highways.

          The point is that roads in developed/first-world countries are similar. The point is that a well-balanced car that is properly engineered can deliver a great driving and riding experience any (paved) road with poise and comfort, whether in the States or in Europe. That’s not the case for the vision of Cadillac that you have, which can be summed up with couches on wheels or land yachts.

          Now, I asked you a question that you didn’t answer: have you ever been to Germany or Europe, for that matter? Have you driven there? I have, and I speak from experience. What are you speaking from?

          Ultimately, your comments make it seem that you perceive as all roads in Germany as not having a speed limit and all German drivers wearing SCCA-sanctioned helmets while doing 300 kph. That’s simply not the case. There is congestion in Germany and in Europe… perhaps even more so than in the States.

          But the point stands: a good car in America is a good car in Europe, Japan, Australia, Russia, Canada, etc.

          6. “German cars are obviously built to serve the German public. Yes there are some self-described “enthusiasts” in the USA who like German cars, because they want to drive very fast through tight turns. Good for them. The vast majority of the US public does not care to do this. You might not like that, but it’s a fact.”

          When did this become about me? Never is or was any of this about me. Not sure why you’re addressing it this way.

          German cars are built for the world public. That’s why German car brands are the best-selling in the world.

          “You might not like that, but it’s a fact.” what’s a fact? Show me the facts. All I see is conjecture random pokes in the dark from someone who has an opinion and is outspoken, but has very little understanding of the topic at hand. I’m not arguing a point or an ideology… but you are. So show me the facts… show me the evidence! I’ll wait.

          And if you wish to discuss what people want in cars, let’s do that. Please tell me what people want. I’m sure you are an authority on the subject matter, given:
          – your vast market and industry experience
          – you owning and driving a Cadillac DTS
          – you not having driven ANY modern Cadillac model
          – you not having driven ANY modern luxury car from Germany

          Am I incorrect in stating any of this? If so, please correct me. I’ll be waiting.

          “I’ll now ask you some things – that I doubt you’ll answer, because you never answer anything (you don’t have time, so you say).

          – Didn’t anyone teach you “never to say never”?

          – The fact that I, someone with a more-than-full-time job running this website (and others) takes a significant amount of time out of his day to reply and interact with readers such as yourself is seen by all as a positive, yet shame you are trying to spin it as a negative. Honestly Drew, shame on you for that. This makes me feel like you’re a keyboard troll hiding behind a screen.

          On that topic, please show me one highly-trafficked, high-profile website where the author does this, and to the extent that I do. I’ll wait.

          Now, I should not have to explain why I can’t reply to every single one comments, which are generally long-winded and highly inaccurate, and therefore require even longer replies.

          So you’ve started your “questions” on the wrong foot. Bad start, Drew. Bad start indeed.

          “Can you name even ONE Cadillac “sport” vehicle that has sold very well? The ATS? No. The CTS? No. The CT 6? No.”

          – This is such a loaded question that it saddens me that you continue trying to spin things out of the realm of reality. Even worse, we have discussed it all before. But I’ll answer it anyway, despite it being doltish:

          – The ATS and CTS sold “very well” in the first few years following their launch. Specifically, the current/first-gen ATS and the second and third-gen CTS. Here are some numbers for you:

          ATS: http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/cadillac/ats/cadillac-ats-sales-numbers/
          CTS: http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/cadillac/cts/cadillac-cts-sales-numbers/

          Now, I’m sure you will try to argue against all of this, but the important elements of all this that you would be hard-pressed to argue against are as follows:

          – The ATS placed Cadillac into a space it has never competed in before. Before you bring it up, the Cimarron (which you love to bring up) was not an effort.
          – The third-gen (current) CTS moved segments from the “tweener” second-gen playing the value equation to a full-fledged rival to the 5er and E-Class. This resulted in a significant increase in the base price and a natural decrease in sales volume.
          – Cadillac, as a brand, is weak compared to its competitors and therefore the opportunity to sell any vehicles is limited. This also applies to the XT5, which is being outsold two-fold by the Lexus RX, despite the Cadillac being a better product.
          – None of the products you ask about – not the ATS, the CTS, nor the CT6 – were done with proper funding or benchmarked the right generation of vehicles.
          – The ATS and CT6 are single-generation vehicles. The CTS in its current form is also a single generation vehicle. It takes much longer than a single generation of cars to rebuild an automotive brand after decades of damage and mismanagement.

          What do you think would happen to sales of the ATS, CTS or CT6 if the Cadillac brand had the market image and general strength of Mercedes-Benz and if they were developed “properly” – without most of the defects of the current vehicles?

          “Why do you think Cadillac needs to get away from what made it successful, to pursue something that isn’t working for them? Just because YOU happen to like that type of vehicle?”

          Seriously, Drew? I never thought you’d stoop so low, jumping to conclusions and assuming that I am not familiar that Cadillac is a business. To the contrary, I am more in tune with Cadillac as a business than you are, so this pretentiousness is simply unnecessary.

          Furthermore, this is not about me. This is the second or third time you make it about me in a single comment… and I’m not sure why you feel the need to do so. But I’ll persevere and reply anyway, despite your absurdity.

          “You do realize that this is a business and Cadillac has a glorious history, don’t you? Why do you want Cadillac to throw away their history and continue a failed program of copying the Germans? Lexus basically copied Cadillac’s core values (other than the bold angular styling), and they are doing extremely well because of it. Let the Germans be the Germans. Let Cadillac be Cadillac.”

          The history that Cadillac has or had is irrelevant. It is gone. It is in the past. It is foolish and downright dense if you think that Cadillac’s history will be useful in rebuilding it going forward.

          Speaking from the last 30 years of ”Cadillac being Cadillac” means products that are uncompetitive, unwanted and outdated. This strategy brought us to where we are today: a tarnished brand due to poor and lackluster products from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s. Decent product and proper attention to the brand and the business started arriving after around the 2015-2016 timeframe … and even then, there is a lot of work to be done on both product, process, and the business end of it all.

          Now, we have discussed the following to no end in the past, but I’ll repeat it again: it’s not about “copying” the Germans. It just so happens that the Germans provide the product that the overwhelming majority of the market desires. Your perception of this product is “harsh riding”, but WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU DROVE A GERMAN LUXURY VEHICLE, if ever?

          The point is that this is not about the Germans, either: Lexus is moving in the direction of the products offered by the Germans with every generation of vehicle. So is Infiniti, Maserati and Volvo. Alfa Romeo is already there. To try to paint good, competitive, and decently-selling products like the ATS, CTS and CT6 as not selling well or some for of a commercial failure is downright shameful, especially given that Cadillac is right in the middle of a turn-around.

          Here’s the bottom line: what will bring Cadillac back to being the Standard of the World in luxury automobiles is introducing class-leading product that is expected by the majority of luxury car buyers globally (i.e. – a sport-luxury experience) that builds on and fixes what’s wrong with the current offerings is the way to go. It’s not just about product substance, but rather product excellence, consistent marketing, back-end business improvements done and executed perfectly day after day, month after month, year after year is what it will take to bring Cadillac back to the top of the luxury car game. And also, it will take courage and conviction. It’s not about offering land yachts that were relevant years ago.

          And finally, my questions to YOU:
          – in past comments, you claimed that you have a significant amount of experience. What is this experience?
          – Have you driven any of the following vehicles: ATS, CTS, CT6, XTS?
          – Have you driven any modern German luxury vehicle?
          – Have you been to Europe or Germany? If so, did you drive a car there?

          That’s all I have time for today. I’m sure you’ll reject all of what I say like you usually do or simply ignore the questions that I asked.

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          1. Alex Luft wrote:
            “Speaking from the last 30 years of ”Cadillac being Cadillac” means products that are uncompetitive, unwanted and outdated. This strategy brought us to where we are today: a tarnished brand due to poor and lackluster products from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s…”

            Actually no, the last 30 (actually 36) years were tarnished by Cadillac NOT being Cadillac. They were tarnished when Cadillac stopped being a leader going its own way rather than copying others, stopped being true to the core values that made it #1 in the US luxury market for decades.

            It was only in the early 1980’s when Cadillac decided it needed to copy the Germans and brought out the “fuel efficient” disaster V8-6-4 engine, as well as the tiny (ATS forerunner) underpowered Cimarron, that Cadillac began to become tarnished. Then in the late 1990’s there was another direct attempt to “meet the Germans”, the much-ridiculed Catera. Ironic though that a car entirely designed, engineered, and built in Germany hurt Cadillac’s reputation so much that it drove US customers to buy German badged cars.

            So no, it was definitely not “Cadillac being Cadillac” since the early 80’s that hurt the reputation, it was actually when they stopped being Cadillac in order to imitate the Germans, that was the cause of their problems and market share demise.

            As to the rest, I stand by my prior statements. We’ll just have to disagree. I accept your right to having an opinion, it’s a shame that you don’t accept my right to having an opinion because I don’t agree with you. You say that you are merely trying to educate me, and that you are an “expert”, therefore I should essentially defer to your superior wisdom. The reality is that I have plenty of experience with cars, engineering, and business/economics, and I’d guess that I have a good two decades more of experience than you have, based on the age that you appear to be. Yet I’d never said “shut up and listen sonny” and claimed that you have no right to your opinion. I say let all opinions be heard.

            I don’t think your particular experience at GM makes you an “expert” with the wisdom of the final say on all discussions. You do though seem to reflect a very insular pattern of thought that may be plaguing GM/Cadillac. It’s not a good business practice for Cadillac to reject all ideas that do not correspond to those of the insular group in charge. If GM was so full of “experts” while you were there, then why did it go bankrupt during that time? And if Cadillac is so full of “experts”, then why have sales of all these great “sporty” products been so dismal, while the only thing keeping the brand afloat are non-sporty vehicles that actually reflect some of Cadillac’s past (such as the Escalade, XT5, and XTS).

            No it’s not about you to observe that you love your “sporty” vehicles and you’d like to see Cadillac make every vehicle a sports-driving one, even the SUVs and CUVs. And if they made minivans and golf carts, I’m sure you’d want those to be sports-only too. But when your view is in lockstep with that of JDN and seemingly everyone else at Cadillac, there’s actually a problem of insularity. Particularly when the past 36 years have proven that you are following a formula that does not work for Cadillac.

            Alex Luft also wrote: “The history that Cadillac has or had is irrelevant. It is gone. It is in the past. It is foolish and downright dense if you think that Cadillac’s history will be useful in rebuilding it going forward.”

            Again, you are giving us a very closed-minded, insular view that pervades Cadillac, but has led to their demise for the past three and a half decades. Why would you cheer for Cadillac to throw away their prior history of success, in order to continue to pursue something that doesn’t work for them? Sure the German formula works for the Germans. But do Americans buy German cars so that they can weave in and out of traffic at high speeds, or because the German branded cars have a certain snob appeal, like a Rolex watch? Either way, the market is already saturated with German-type cars.

            Cadillac should return to being Cadillac, and actually SELL the appeal of comfortable-riding, roomy, well-powered, reliable cars to the public, instead of acting like they are embarrassed by that history. No the history of Cadillac is not gone or forgotten. I realize that you are an internationalist who has spent much of your life living outside the USA, and that is fine, but I don’t think you are in a position to negate what Cadillac means to Americans.

            Reply
  4. These XT5’s look really good in person. Definitely an upgrade over the older SRX.

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    1. Agreed! I was recently shopping for a new SUV and seriously considered the XT5. Problem is where I live (Cayman Islands) we do not have a Cadillac Dealer. I would have to hope my Chevy Dealer or other mechanic shop could properly service the vehicle (including diagnostics) and that didn’t inspire confidence.
      I also like the VW Touareg a lot! And we do have a very good well established VW /Audi Dealer. I bought the 2017 Touareg Wolfsburg Edition and really happy with it.
      In smaller territories it seems Dealers like Cadillac (a GM Brand) should find ways to encourage multi GM sales (such as a discounted introductory franchise to our Chevy Dealer).
      Same for Ford as our Ford Dealer, who is well established and has long also imported / sold Lincoln, and now Lincoln wanting it’s own “Lincoln Showroom” which isn’t feasible in small markets!

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  5. I have seen the XT5 up close and it is a very beautiful vehicle, compared with the ghastly Lexus. Cadillac must formally announce and produce the new XT4 as a smaller version of the XT5 for a lesser price and really take up the lead in this segment against all that competition. As the new XT4 rides on the same E2XX platform as the Chevy Malibu, it must offer the same hybrid power train for extra sales.

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  6. I’m really suprised at what I have been reading lately about the upcoming XT4 .
    We don’t know what it truly looks like , how it will handle and nothing about the interior or what trim levels there will be and what safety features it will arrive with , and some are already looking at this crossover as not meeting some expectation .
    This is Johan’s baby , his first , and for months we have had an enlightened discussion on how Johan will begin the transformation of Cadillac . He moved to New York , created his coffee shop , and has Ms. Lee in charge of his other creation and now that we are just months away from his first car we are reading from his most avid loyalists that this car won’t meet the demands needed to compete .
    He has taken more time bringing this to market than what was done in the past while we watch other crossovers in the segment sell rather well ( ex. Encore and Trax ) .
    If this newbie is priced right and has an appealing design it should sell well , remember that this was going to be the beginning of the new face of Cadillac !?!
    If the car is nothing but a mini XT5 then Cadillac ‘s image won’t move an inch . And if it does offer a hybrid model for sale here as well as China and other markets that would be a good thing .

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    1. You’re absolutely right, we don’t know much about the XT4.

      But we do know is that it will not be a “pure” Cadillac product based on the platform that it will ride on. That’s the first red flag.

      Even Johan is limited in what could have been done with the XT4. The grave reality of it all is that GM, as big and massive of an automaker that it is, did not have a rear-drive platform on which to base the XT4 back in 2015/2016. It still doesn’t have one, in fact. So his two choices were:

      1. Use an existing GM architecture like front-drive E2, or
      2. Develop a new rear-drive-based platform or heavily re-engineer Alpha, which would have taken an extra 12-18 months

      Obviously, option 1 was selected to decrease time to market, but the product is not likely to match up dynamically to the German and Italian competitors in the segment.

      At the end of the day, I personally predict that the XT4 will be a mini XT5… and that’s not necessarily a bad thing, since it will sell decently, mostly as a result of being a low(er) price option to the German rivals. But it definitely won’t break any ground for Cadillac or move the brand in any “Daring” directions. A product like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio or MBZ GLC-Class, but with Cadillac styling, would have been much more effective at achieving that.

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  7. Cadillac has the 3.6 to power the xt5 great engine but were is the turbo . just about all the other competition has a turbo option were is the xt5s turbo

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    1. Problem is, zero other vehicles in this class offer a turbo option.

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  8. competitors like clc 300 xc90 audi q7 mkx all have some turbo engines

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    1. I was under the impression that you’re referring to its direct competitors like the RX, MDX and MKX. In that regard, you’re correct – the MKX does, in fact, offer a boosted motor. It’s the 2.7L V-6 and is as a step up from the base naturally-aspirated 3.7L. But it obviously appears to not be doing it any favors in sales.

      All of the German, Italian and Swedish C-segment crossovers offer a boosted engine… but they are less direct rivals to the XT5.

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  9. Escala interior and exterior, on all new Cadillac models going forward, that was said months ago. Don’t know why people don’t remember that, but that’s what XT4 will look like. And people will said it’s not going to look like that, and not breaking any new ground, etc,etc.

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    1. It’s not about people not remembering… it’s about whether or not the XT4 will actually have Escala cues.

      The camo does a good job covering things up to keep us guessing, so it’s not inherently clear.

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  10. Cadillac is going in the right direction and in time will revive itself . the days of the Cimarron -Allante – Catera- 4-6-8— diesel — leaky crankcase seals are in the past . As a service advisor through those times was difficult . Being favored to Oldsmobile through the years (owning 13 ) GM should have tried better make it survive -it still have some important contributions to the automobile industry and today would have preformed better than Buick

    Reply

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