C&D: Cadillac to build Lexus ES-fighter
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Melbourne, Australia
I guess, in order to be true to yourself, you have to recognize your own limitations... I think Cadillac can still be successful if it aims 'low-ish' at first... then take the step up if/when...
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Chicagoland IL
Without Alpha, Cadillac essentially gets out of the RWD business in afew years and Camaro goes FWD or dies.
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Also, GM would just have to develop another sedan to slot into the sub-$30K area and compete with the Taurus, Avalon, Maxima, 300, etc.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Mack and Bewick
The ES is almost the same overal length as the CTS on a slightly shorter wheelbase...
So what they'll have is an STS replacement that's another one for the "traditional Cadillac buyer." Which means if, as the article says, there goal was to avoid creating another "tweener" car, then...
So what they'll have is an STS replacement that's another one for the "traditional Cadillac buyer." Which means if, as the article says, there goal was to avoid creating another "tweener" car, then...
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Santa Clara, CA
That's not a 1-series like Cadillac. It's an A3-like Cadillac. The point of the 1-series is that it's RWD in a subcompact.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Santa Clara, CA
I'll be happy once an Alpha is officially announced.
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Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Coppell, Texas
Holy crap. AWD delta for Cadillac? Kill me.
Whoever is supporting this idea needs to be fired immediatley. Not only that, they need to find a different industry to work in, because they obviously don't have a freaking clue! Damn, there are times that I feel like the same morons are still running this company!
This report can't be accurate.
Whoever is supporting this idea needs to be fired immediatley. Not only that, they need to find a different industry to work in, because they obviously don't have a freaking clue! Damn, there are times that I feel like the same morons are still running this company!
This report can't be accurate.
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,698
From: USA
I agree. For Buick to be successful, Cadillac neets to get the hell out it's kitchen. Cars like the current DTS, and this proposed XTS are what Buick should be.
Sigh.
LaCrosse should be aimed at ES. As it already is. Buick as a whole was supposed to be the 'smooth luxury' brand. Meant to compete with Lexus.
Caddy was supposed to be the edgier sportier brand, meant to compete with BMW, Infiniti, etc. CTS is a great car but a bit confused... it's priced like a 3-series, but sized like a 5 series. So will XTS be priced like a 1-series, sized like a 3-series, and tuned like an ES/LaCrosse? Wow... as if things weren't already muddied enough.
And then of course this means we still have no flag ship car, either.
LaCrosse should be aimed at ES. As it already is. Buick as a whole was supposed to be the 'smooth luxury' brand. Meant to compete with Lexus.
Caddy was supposed to be the edgier sportier brand, meant to compete with BMW, Infiniti, etc. CTS is a great car but a bit confused... it's priced like a 3-series, but sized like a 5 series. So will XTS be priced like a 1-series, sized like a 3-series, and tuned like an ES/LaCrosse? Wow... as if things weren't already muddied enough.
And then of course this means we still have no flag ship car, either.
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Chicagoland IL
I have some mixed feelings on the XTS as well. But, if you look at it as a DTS replacement, I guess it makes more sense. Adding AWD, some Cadillac specific features and gizmos and optional hybrid power, will hopefully differentiate it from the LaCrosse.
The CTS though, needs to be cut loose and allowed to be a true 5 Series/E Class competitor.
The "flagship"? Well, that's nice to have, but I don't see it as critical. The Cadillac line up has more pressing needs than a $70-$100,000, very low volume player right now.
The CTS though, needs to be cut loose and allowed to be a true 5 Series/E Class competitor.
The "flagship"? Well, that's nice to have, but I don't see it as critical. The Cadillac line up has more pressing needs than a $70-$100,000, very low volume player right now.
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Albany, NY
Escalade is the vehicle that made Cadillac cool again and needs to be a priority. Escalade, CTS, and Alpha Caddy need to be kept competitive.
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Kansas City, MO
There's a flagship mentioned in the article?
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...illac_car_news
Cadillac recognizes the need to offer a vehicle above the CTS; one insider says the brand wants to avoid becoming the "CTS brand.” That flagship, our sources indicate, could be derived from the SLS, a stretched STS sold in China. For U.S. duty, the car would be reskinned and use a version of GM’s small-block LS V-8.
Cadillac recognizes the need to offer a vehicle above the CTS; one insider says the brand wants to avoid becoming the "CTS brand.” That flagship, our sources indicate, could be derived from the SLS, a stretched STS sold in China. For U.S. duty, the car would be reskinned and use a version of GM’s small-block LS V-8.
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Joined: Sep 1998
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From: Memphis
Z28x... 7 series sized but 3-series priced??? So it's going to be bigger than the CTS but priced similarly to the CTS and tuned like a Buick? Again... more confusion. People already have enough of a fit trying to figuring out where the CTS lined up with the competition.
If the 2010 LaCrosse is anything like it seems like in pictures and articles then I believe it will be a very solid competitor to the ES. Of course the Buick buying and ownership/service experience is nothing remotely close to that of Lexus but I guess if Hyundai can get away with it with the Genesis sedan, it's possible for Buick to do it too... for now anyway.
By flagship I'm referring to industry standards.
The RL is technically Acura's flagship and the M35/45 is technically Infiniti's flagship, but in reality they have nothing to put next to the 7-series, S-class, A8, LS460, etc.
If the 2010 LaCrosse is anything like it seems like in pictures and articles then I believe it will be a very solid competitor to the ES. Of course the Buick buying and ownership/service experience is nothing remotely close to that of Lexus but I guess if Hyundai can get away with it with the Genesis sedan, it's possible for Buick to do it too... for now anyway.
By flagship I'm referring to industry standards.
The RL is technically Acura's flagship and the M35/45 is technically Infiniti's flagship, but in reality they have nothing to put next to the 7-series, S-class, A8, LS460, etc.
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Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
Z28x... 7 series sized but 3-series priced??? So it's going to be bigger than the CTS but priced similarly to the CTS and tuned like a Buick? Again... more confusion. People already have enough of a fit trying to figuring out where the CTS lined up with the competition.
If the 2010 LaCrosse is anything like it seems like in pictures and articles then I believe it will be a very solid competitor to the ES. Of course the Buick buying and ownership/service experience is nothing remotely close to that of Lexus but I guess if Hyundai can get away with it with the Genesis sedan, it's possible for Buick to do it too... for now anyway.
If the 2010 LaCrosse is anything like it seems like in pictures and articles then I believe it will be a very solid competitor to the ES. Of course the Buick buying and ownership/service experience is nothing remotely close to that of Lexus but I guess if Hyundai can get away with it with the Genesis sedan, it's possible for Buick to do it too... for now anyway.