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  • Caddy's new SUV for Europe

    Jan 05, 2009 6:25 PM

    This is the new Cadillac SRX, a ground-up rethink of the model that’s been designed to succeed in Europe.

    The original Cadillac SRX missed the mark, GM officials admit. The all-new Cadillac SRX is more SUV-like yet also more elegant, in keeping with Cadillac’s position as a ‘high-line luxury brand’, and it has a much better interior.

    Although the original Cadillac SRX was a niche player in the SUV market, GM luxury boss Mark McNabb has already said the goal with the new car is to t...Read the full article
    • manicm
    • Joined May 01, 2008
    • 458 Posts
    • Status: Offline

    Re: Caddy's new SUV for Europe

    Jan 05, 2009 6:35 PM

    Looks really promising but I can still hear Wagoner saying 'Diesels are too complex and sophisticated for the US market, so let's hit 'em with good facts like 15% more economical V6 petrols'.

    You'd think they'd learn their lesson third time round, alas not. Opp. missed again.

    • TheStig
    • Joined Feb 18, 2008
    • 85 Posts
    • Status: Offline

    Re: Caddy's new SUV for Europe

    Jan 05, 2009 6:51 PM

     Right, so this is the car that will help Cadillac (and in turn GM) escape the economic downturn, is it? Well, in the pictures it looks very good, the interior is likely best one ever found in a Cadillac and it is likely to undercut the rivals from BMW and Mercedes by some margin.

    However, the SUV market has nearly stalled and most manufacturers have thus focused on small, economical cars. To be successful Cadillac needs a good dealer network (which it hasn't got), loyal and trusting customers (that's how BMW and Merc make most of their sales - previous ownership, reputation, word of mounth) and a secure future (with the GM bailout only secured until March you can't be too sure of Cadillac's future).

     No matter how good the SRX is going to be (and a groundbreaking car it is not going to be) I don't think that Cadillac will make it in the current climate.

  • Re: Caddy's new SUV for Europe

    Jan 05, 2009 8:20 PM

     

     Gm`s woes get more laughable by the day........

    They spend 50% of their time sending european designs over to the U.S. that are not marketed correctly and subsequently fail............

    the other 50% of the time they are sending american designs over to europe that are marketed incorrectly and subsequently fail...........

    The last thing europe needs just now is a new range of Cadillacs (esp SUV`s)....if Merc, BMW etc are having problems shifting respected, admired, established product what the hell chance have Cadillac got (Answer: None). Save a few million in american tax payers money and withdraw from the UK market now!

    Whilst you are at it, cancel the SAAB version of this completely and spend the money saved on getting the new 9-5 to market and do something sexy with the Insignia design to create a more upto date 9-3.

    Why try and market Cadillac as an upmarket brand in europe that has no real history here whilst simultaneously starving SAAB, an upmarket european brand, to a certain death.

     

     

    • Mini1
    • Joined May 13, 2008
    • 1,801 Posts
    • Status: Offline

    Re: Caddy's new SUV for Europe

    Jan 05, 2009 9:51 PM

    Yes, it seems a bit of a silly time for Cadillac to launch an SUV. Considering SUV sales are falling really quite dramatically, wouldn't it have been better to launch the CTS Coupé, and put this on hold? This really isn't going to do them any good, especially in this current climate. Still, it looks nice for a 4x4.
    I've got an Aygo and a Meerkovonian meerkat :)
    • JezyG
    • Joined Jul 03, 2008
    • 462 Posts
    • Status: Offline

    Re: Caddy's new SUV for Europe

    Jan 06, 2009 7:28 AM

    SUV seems a strange choice at the moment. Cadillac needs more diesels in it's lineup but under the current climate is going to struggle epsecially as a new brand with no real dealer network. I love the Cadillac design and we own a Cadillac BLS and it's not a bad car at all for a rebodided Saab 93 nice to be different having a 1 Series as well.

    After owning one I would have another but wish the dealer network would expand but doubtful in the current climate and Caddillac may dissapear altogether in Europe if GM goes under!!!! Residuals are appaling our Caddy cost £7700 for a 1 year old BLS diesel allot of motor for your money.....

  • Re: Caddy's new SUV for Europe

    Jan 06, 2009 7:51 AM

    jonfortwo:
    Why try and market Cadillac as an upmarket brand in europe that has no real history here whilst simultaneously starving SAAB, an upmarket european brand, to a certain death.
    Yes, it does seem crazy. A case of NIH? Cadillac deserves to die, as does GM for it's appalling marketing and product planning. I used to be a keen Saab buyer until GM based all new models on recycled Vauxhall platforms. What kind of strategy is that for a luxury brand? Even Skoda get current VW platforms. I love the idea of a Chevy, but can't decide between a Matiz and a Corvette. Might just plump for an Opel/Vauxhall Signum or a Holden/Vauxhall Monaro/VXR8 instead.
    • m_bowl
    • Joined Sep 30, 2008
    • 73 Posts
    • Status: Offline

    Re: Caddy's new SUV for Europe

    Jan 06, 2009 10:02 AM

    Got to bear in mind that this is a small SUV for the US though and people can downsize from the horrid Escalade into this. Add a bit of patriotism and an American might just buy this over a European rival.

    I'm sure it'll fail in the UK though, although it may fair a little better in mainland Europe. Of course, GM should have ploughed the money they've wasted on their 2 or 3 attempts to establish Cadillac over here into Saab all along.

  • Re: Caddy's new SUV for Europe

    Jan 06, 2009 10:34 AM

    This really does make me cry into my green tea, really....

     GM trying to force Cadillacs upon us which will fail, just like the BLS (how many sold??) - when you can logically consider that the money spent on these could have meant a new 9-5 now....and of course we have no idea about a new 9-3.....

     A Cadillac SUV won't sell, I can predict that with certainty.... You want an SUV in these times?

    a) you will be daft

    b) Land Rovers, LandCruisers, X3, X5, Quattro, M, GL, Touareg, etc etc etc occupy the market

    c) Saab should be left to run its own destiny - affordable, sporty, distinctive and extremely-well engineerd turbocharged cars made in Trollhattan

     Cadillac - GO HOME

    • Will86
    • Joined Dec 11, 2007
    • 1,111 Posts
    • Status: Offline

    Re: Caddy's new SUV for Europe

    Jan 06, 2009 12:51 PM

    I am not sure what platform the Vauxhall Antara and Chevy Captiva are built on (might be smaller platform??), but the lines on this Cadillac look quite similar. Are they all built on the same platform? If they are, its not the best of starts.

    Like other people have said, no wonder GM are in trouble when they pour money into this rather than Saab.

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