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AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

Old Mar 2, 2005 | 03:30 PM
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AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

Originally Posted by AutoWeek
GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car
JASON STEIN | Automotive News and ROBERT SHEREFKIN | Automotive News
Posted Date: 3/2/05
Last summer customers waited in line to buy Cadillac's hot XLR. Now dealers are waiting to sell them.

GM has reduced XLR production at its Bowling Green, Ky., plant from 23 vehicles a day to 12, union officials say.

As of Feb. 1, Cadillac had a 200-day supply of the $76,200 vehicle -- about 1,700 units.

Cadillac once hoped to sell 6,000 XLRs annually. But through 18 months, Cadillac has sold just 4,744.
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101909
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 03:33 PM
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

Old Mar 2, 2005 | 03:39 PM
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

The problem is that it's a $76K Vette. If the price was lowered to around $60K in might sell better.
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 03:46 PM
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

Originally Posted by km9v
The problem is that it's a $76K Vette. If the price was lowered to around $60K in might sell better.
Its not a 76k vette. Its on the vette platform (or vice versa) but has a northstar engine. While it may be refined and smooth, it has nowhere near the punch of a real corvette.
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 03:48 PM
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

Seems to me like they simply over projected sales at 6000 per year.

How many Mercedes counterparts are sold annually?
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 03:56 PM
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

Originally Posted by Darth Xed
Seems to me like they simply over projected sales at 6000 per year.
Simply? For 18 months they only sold a teeny tiny pinch over half of projection?

Last edited by guesswhoo; Mar 2, 2005 at 04:04 PM.
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 03:58 PM
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

I've seen 2-3 of these ever. On the other hand, I see SL500s just about every day, especially in the summer. I don't think that this car's problem is the SL or anything, I think that it's not different enough from a 'Vette to warrant buying one over a 'Vette. In fact, some ways it's worse, like the Northstar engine compared to the LS2.

This looks like a case of GM's internal brand competition shooting itself in the foot
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 03:58 PM
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

Originally Posted by guesswhoo

Simply? For 18 months they only sold a teeny tiny pinch over half of projection?

"Simply" doesn't imply how much they miscalculated by. It's just means that's all it sounds like they did.

Again, How many of the Mercedes equivilents sell annually in the U.S.? I'd be pretty shocked if it is 6000+ units.
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 04:06 PM
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

Originally Posted by Darth Xed
"Simply" doesn't imply how much they miscalculated by. It's just means that's all it sounds like they did.

Again, How many of the Mercedes equivilents sell annually in the U.S.? I'd be pretty shocked if it is 6000+ units.

I know where you were saying Darth .. Nobody mentioned how bad the numbers were just yet though. I just found it very comical how you put "spmply".

Your thinking of sub 6k units for the Benz equivilents is spot on.
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 04:10 PM
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

ive seen 2 and they are hotttt
but yea, 76k is a bit steep
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 04:12 PM
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

Well, the car is not very attractive, especially the rear. That could be a majot issue...that long with a very steep price. If they sold it at a more realistic price, it might would have sold.
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 05:02 PM
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

Originally Posted by Darth Xed
Seems to me like they simply over projected sales at 6000 per year.
Didn't they originally say they were going to build 3,000 a year? Sounds more like initial demand was extra high (just like with the S2000, PT cruiser, 300, H2, Mustang GT, VW bettle) then leveled off. Plus don't for get it is still winter. This is not a winter car.

How many people are also holding out on their XLR purchase and waiting to see the XLR-V. I know if I was rich I'd hold out for the 440HP XLR-v
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 06:39 PM
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

If they came out with the XLR-V and made it the same price as the current car, they'd have a winner. The problem is, I think Caddy's image doesn't live up to that price level for that car just yet. Don't get me wrong...I love it, and I appreciate everything the car is. But at $76k, it'd be nice to be a little better.
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 06:50 PM
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

Originally Posted by Darth Xed
How many Mercedes counterparts are sold annually?
Last year in the US, Mercedes sold close to 13,000 SLs.
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 07:06 PM
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car

I think the XLR has two issues...

It is slighly overpriced, and it needs more power.

I would not want to pay $30,000 more for XLR that is on the same chassis has a Corvette, but has what, 80 less HP?

I know the XLR-V is coming, but it is probaly $20K more.

I think at the least, a base XLR needs as much power has a LS2 and to be priced at $69,999

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