AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car
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From: Dollars, Taxes
Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car
Shame the XLR isn't selling well, it's such a striking design....perhaps the V will remedy some of that.
For reference, the MB SL500's base price is $92k, the Lexus base price is $64k.
They all target the same basic market and has been said, the MB includes a good deal of prestige that comes with silver star on the hood. The Lexus is decidedly a "chick" car. So where does that leave the Caddy? It seems that the buyers in this segment are unconvinced of a nearly $80k Caddy.
For reference, the MB SL500's base price is $92k, the Lexus base price is $64k.
They all target the same basic market and has been said, the MB includes a good deal of prestige that comes with silver star on the hood. The Lexus is decidedly a "chick" car. So where does that leave the Caddy? It seems that the buyers in this segment are unconvinced of a nearly $80k Caddy.
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car
Originally Posted by Chuck!
I just came back from lunch and saw a maroon XLR on the road. It might be the best looking car being produced today.
I hope that the $76K MSRP isn't holding you back?
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From: Cincinnati, OH
Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car
The best thing about this thread is that I know he just quoted me, but I cant see his response because he's on ignore.
What a grand idea.
What a grand idea.
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car
Originally Posted by Chuck!
The best thing about this thread is that I know he just quoted me, but I cant see his response because he's on ignore.
What a grand idea.
What a grand idea.
Maybe the response included a comparison of the handling between the gracious Armada and the XLR. Or maybe not. Isn't the suspense killing you? 
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From: five-one-oh/nine-oh-nine
Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car
But seirously, you guys actually LIKE the way the XLR looks? That thing is just ugly. It's all awkward and disproportionate looking. Also, it got slammed in the rags for GM's admitted stupidity in designing the retractable roof. The trunk lid lifts IN when the roof is being folded. What does that mean??? Well, it means that if it's been raining just recently, or you just washed the car, or for whatever reason there's ANY water on the trunk, guess where it ends up if you try to open up the roof? YEAH, there. Right on that expensive leather upholstry you payed $76k to plop your *** on.
SMART!
I don't see the XLR being a good buy at anything but Corvette prices. At least then you can justify driving an ugly, underpowered Caddy that throws water on itself.
SMART!
I don't see the XLR being a good buy at anything but Corvette prices. At least then you can justify driving an ugly, underpowered Caddy that throws water on itself.
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car
Originally Posted by morb|d
But seirously, you guys actually LIKE the way the XLR looks? That thing is just ugly. It's all awkward and disproportionate looking. .
I think it's one of the classiest looking roadsters on the road.
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car
Originally Posted by morb|d
I don't see the XLR being a good buy at anything but Corvette prices. At least then you can justify driving an ugly, underpowered Caddy that throws water on itself.
The ultimate problem with the XLR is that original idea was for a $60,000 steel bodied car with the same supercharged Northstar drivetrain as the upcoming STS-V. Doesn't anyone remember the Evoq concept?
1. The steel bodied XLR didn't happen because the Sigma platform wasn't flexible enough to support a low slung roadster. That forced a move to the Y-body, ruining the proportions displayed by the concept and adding almost a foot of length.
2. The supercharged Northstar V8 didn't make it to the XLR because the primary application for the engine was the STS-V, and Bob Lutz delayed the introduction of the entire STS line by about 2 years.
3. In any case, GM didn't have a suitable transmission for a supercharged Northstar until the 6L80E. We all know that development of the 6L80E has run desperately late and should have been ready in time for the C6 Corvette - but wasn't.
4. I also have the impression that GM has a hard time engineering a folding hardtop - unlike the non-prestige European makes that offer successful folding hardtop on cars that are the size and price of BMW's Mini. Some of the blame for the XLR's staggering price has to go to the complex top mechanism. The same goes for the Chevrolet SSR and the now-delayed G6 convertible.
GM should just buy its folding hardtops off-the-shelf from an established European supplier.
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car
Originally Posted by Darth Xed
I love it.
I think it's one of the classiest looking roadsters on the road.
I think it's one of the classiest looking roadsters on the road.
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From: five-one-oh/nine-oh-nine
Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car
Originally Posted by redzed
GM should just buy its folding hardtops off-the-shelf from an established European supplier.
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car
Originally Posted by morb|d
uh, it DID.
GM set out to assemble a team of suppliers equipped with cutting-edge technology and capable of meeting rigorous quality standards. Andersson is convinced the No.1 auto maker succeeded.
Supplier partners include Denso Corp. (DVD navigation system), Siemens VDO Automotive (keyless entry), Delphi Corp. (adaptive cruise control, Magnetic Ride Control, Magnesteer and Stabilitrak), Nippon Seiki (head-up display), Lear Corp. (climate control seats) and Car Top Systems (CTS) GmbH (retractable hardtop).
Andersson admits GM set the bar high for suppliers to test their capabilities. "If we can do it on the XLR, then we can do it on other vehicles," he says.
Supplier partners include Denso Corp. (DVD navigation system), Siemens VDO Automotive (keyless entry), Delphi Corp. (adaptive cruise control, Magnetic Ride Control, Magnesteer and Stabilitrak), Nippon Seiki (head-up display), Lear Corp. (climate control seats) and Car Top Systems (CTS) GmbH (retractable hardtop).
Andersson admits GM set the bar high for suppliers to test their capabilities. "If we can do it on the XLR, then we can do it on other vehicles," he says.
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car
I've never heard of "Car Top Systems (CTS) GmbH" before.
All I know is that GM North America is having a hard time finding reliable (Pontiac G6?) amd reasonably priced (XLR and SSR) folding hard-top mechanisms - but Renault and Peugeot (yes, the French!) don't have any problems putting out relatively cheap cars with folding hardtops.
All I know is that GM North America is having a hard time finding reliable (Pontiac G6?) amd reasonably priced (XLR and SSR) folding hard-top mechanisms - but Renault and Peugeot (yes, the French
!) don't have any problems putting out relatively cheap cars with folding hardtops.
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Re: AutoWeek: GM cuts production of sluggish-selling Cadillac XLR halo car
Originally Posted by redzed
I've never heard of "Car Top Systems (CTS) GmbH" before.
http://www.cartopsystems.com/english...actable/sl.htm
They designed the hardtop for the SL, the CLK, the Peugot 307 and the Cadillac XLR.
Fact check much? Here's a link that might help you not look like a fool in the future:
www.google.com
