Currently reading: Cadillac plots European return
New distribution arrangement to be finalised by March

Cadillac is planning to announce a new distribution arrangement for the UK and Europe by the time of March’s Geneva motor show.

Cadillac is weighing ‘multiple proposals’ for the distribution arrangements, which are thought to include various different independent distributors and the possibility of Vauxhall/Opel taking over the responsibility itself.

Detroit motor show: Cadillac XTS

"We’ve got multiple proposals along all those lines and we’ll make a decision soon. I’d like to be at Geneva with a solution,” said Cadillac general manager Bryan Nesbitt.

Cadillac needs a new distributor because its previous arrangement came to an end last year when its Dutch partner Kroymans hit financial trouble. As a result sales are declining. 

But the company desperately needs new and solid distribution arrangements in the UK and Europe because a new range of cars with a more subtle design language are on their way.

These will more obviously target the three major executive car segments – in BMW terms, 3-, 5- and 7-series.

The five-metre long XTS saloon concept shown at Detroit is the first sighting of this evolved design language which takes the heavily-creased Art and Science theme developed in the late 1990s.

Although the XTS is sized around the Merc S-Class, it won’t necessarily be the flagship of Cadillac new range.

Most immediately it will replace both the DTS and STS, but in pricing and positioning it still leaves room above for a super-luxury Cadillac saloon in the mould of the V16-powered Sixeen concept of a few years back.

“A real luxury flagship is still on our wishlist,” says Clay Dean, Cadillac design chief.

 

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minwow 13 January 2010

Re: Cadillac plots European return

Bring on the Caddy! There is a GM advanced design studio based in the UK and it has created some amazing cars, to name a few cadillac cien concept, converj. If we are designing it here should mean we should sell it here too. The public haven't seen the full potential of cadillac design...its "cadlacking" now but wait a few years it will catch on!!

TStag 13 January 2010

Re: Cadillac plots European return

miecio wrote:
In Europe, nobody can compete with German premium brands: Lexus tried and failed, Alfa and Lancia attempt to establish each their new car as a proper competitor to Mercs and BMWs but they also fail. Same thing with Volvo and Saab. There is one manufacturer that could establish himself as a true premium brand, alongside Mercedes and BMW, during last two decades... but it is also German brand: Audi
?huh? Audi are competing with BMW and Mercedes. In Europe I'd argue there are 3 and a half companies that dominate this market. The 3 are BMW, Daimler and Audi. The half is Land Rover which has effectively kept Jaguar alive for the last few years. Given Jaguar's recovery, Land Rover's ever growing range and TATA's money then I could forsee JLR becoming a big longer term challenger to the German 3. But It's hard to see a future for many others...

fhp11 13 January 2010

Re: Cadillac plots European return

I sincerely hope that they do well when they bring the models over. THe models are not bad like a lot of people make out - its interesting that alot of people who say the BLS is rubish also moan about Saab failing. - Ironic.

Admittedly, Cadillac does need some diesels desperately. However, when they get them and I'm sure they will, I hope they do well. It offers a nice alternative to German cars which these days are all too boring and predictable.

Look at the current BMW range, all look virtually identical.