Cadillac dropping CTS and STS - new luxury sedan expected

dannyboy2 submitted on 09/17/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 3:17 AM
from: www.motorauthority.com

[45] user comments | category: Misc News

Tags: Cadillac

Cadillac

Officials from Cadillac have confirmed that the DTS and STS (pictured) sedans will be dropped at the end of their respective product cycles in favour of a single luxury sedan. The premium large car market has shrunk considerably over the past five years, and this is reflected by sales of the DTS and STS, which were down 13.9% and 24.7% respectively from last year’s levels. Read Article

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Matthew1 - 9/17/2007 3:39:54 AM

+4 Boost

I think a correction in the title is needed.

Although it got my attention!

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Airliner - 9/17/2007 1:35:03 PM

+1 Boost

Agreed, 'dannyboy2'... More attention to detail please.

Spectator - 9/18/2007 5:41:38 PM

+1 Boost

Yes, change the title immediatly.

I just had a mild stroke.

To think GM had finnaly done somthing good and then immediatly turn around and kill it. Even I, an American, would have given up on the Big 3 if that happened.

arcy - 9/17/2007 6:52:15 AM

+2 Boost

well the DTS looks boring and the only reason behind its low sales is that other rivals are introducing all new models

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M35MT - 9/17/2007 9:08:30 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

The DTS's biggest problem is that it's FWD. Therefore, its not even in the same class.

EnnNorak - 9/17/2007 10:17:38 AM

+4 Boost

I never thought that the DTS looks boring but I never saw a reason to have both the DTS and an expensive STS. My wife and I used to drive large cars and had cars like the 1972 Imperial Le Baron, 1976 Buick Electra, 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood and 3 different Grand Marquis for about 10 years from the early nineties.

We currently drive a leased Audi A6 Quattro and my wife prefers a small SUV. Since we are older now, smaller cars are easier to park in today's tighter parking spots and a car like the Cadillac CTS would work just fine for us in lieu of a small SUV.

Cadillac should continue to to combine art with good engineering and superior materials but offer the Cadillac experience in two different sizes: a CTS for people who prefer a smaller sedan and a RDW version (with LSD) of the DTS for people who want the extra comfort and convenience of a larger sedan.

bmwdrvr - 9/17/2007 8:35:11 AM

+2 Boost

im know cadillac fan but you cant be serious here. infiniti and cadillac are far from being on the same level, the difference is Infiniti cant sell the Q at the same price as the fully loaded M (the Q is really not that expensive), Cadillac has the prestige to sell cars maybe not alot but cars upwards of 65,000-100,000. Infiniti is also like Acura is a Value leader in the luxury marke the logical choice, Cadillacs prices right there with Mercedes and BMW models that they compete with they dont undercut thir prices.Infiniti doesnt have the name yet to be able to sell models, or even have someone to think about cars in this price range. TO some people Cadillac is THE luxury car, so they have far more prestige than that.

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EnnNorak - 9/17/2007 10:29:29 AM

+3 Boost

for a minute I thought you were refering to a "third-tier" supplier in the auto industry but obviously you want to segment the car manufacturers into 3 classes of deirabilitty.

My view is that, once Cadillac gets rid of its el-chapo FWD and makes the DTS a vehicle with RWD and LSD, it will be right up these with the S but Cadillac will be a better value. The only advantage the S has is its unique front seats which are the best on the planet. The Audi A8 still reigns supreme with its rust-free aluminum body and superior AWD system with Torsen center differential. The A8's seats match those of the S for general comfort but don't have the unique seat cushion length adjustment of the S.

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david999 - 9/18/2007 10:20:22 AM

+1 Boost

Hey amazingbimmer,
the 7 -series is not in the first tier. In fact, time magazine rated it one of the 50 worst vehicles of all time.

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S4cabriofoxone - 9/19/2007 12:06:01 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

The 7 Series has never beaten the A8 in any comparison test.

It should be:

Tier 1: S-Class, A8, LS460 (in that order)
Tier 2: XJ, 7 Series (in that order)

The XJ is gorgeous but it needs more power and an updated interior.

The 7 Series just doesn't lead in any respect. I love BMWs but it desperately needs a redesign. The 5 Series presents a better proposition, IMO: about as much interior space as a 750i, no awkward angles, better interior construction/materials (matte wood in 7 Series feels fake), faster/more agile (550i), as big/bigger trunk, better fuel economy, lower price.

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bmwdrvr - 9/20/2007 7:39:03 PM

+2 Boost

lmao at the 7 series being below lexus and audi in anything...they are the upstarts the underdogs, for years it has been simply mercedes and bmw....and 7 series has beaten the a8 in tests. has the xj beaten the a8 yes,has an ls beaten the a8 before yes...all facts...your bias showing....look at the facts and cover up.

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iamdabest1 - 9/17/2007 10:08:10 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

sts/dts were both pointless, bring on the sixteen and it should be more interesting against the ls460, a8, 7, and S

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germeezy2 - 9/17/2007 11:38:15 AM

+3 Boost

I applaud the people who actually know what they are talking about. Those that know that if anything Cadillac is tier 1...certainly not tier 3. Alot of people forget the true heritage luxury brands in favor of the faux luxury brands (Lexus,Acura,Infiniti)
Cadillac has been #1 and no lower than #2 over the last 5 years as the leader in the true luxury category. Cars over $42k, its only competitor in true luxury at this point is Mercedes.

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ThierryHenry14 - 9/17/2007 6:31:56 PM

0 Boost

you are either a diehard cadillac fan, or clueless about world markets...

BTW, the DTS and STS not selling does not mean the premium large car market is shrinking. It just means Cadillacs are not selling... DUH!!!

zorbeeze - 9/18/2007 1:37:25 PM

+2 Boost

and Audi's are not selling in North America. Does that mean Audi is not world class?

ThierryHenry14 - 9/18/2007 2:48:17 PM

+2 Boost

I didn't know Audis are not selling in North America. I thought that their 15 years of consecutive sales growth (over 150,000 cars/year) in North America was an indicator that they were selling.

Has there been a new definition of "not selling" Perhaps "not selling" means to have consecutive sales growth and over 100k cars.

S4cabriofoxone - 9/19/2007 12:07:58 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Compared to the main three- Lexus, BMW, Mercedes-Benz -Audi is not selling well. They are still a high-volume luxury brand but definitely need to be more aggressive in NA. They are doing fabulously everywhere else.

Something in me just doesn't want them to do well in America. I kind of like having something that's different and interesting, rather than having your neighbor's BMW.

mini22 - 9/17/2007 11:59:16 AM

+2 Boost

Cadillac clearly is on the right track in Competing with the Europeans and Japanese. The new CTS shows they have made tremendous strides in ride and handling.In addition interior quality has take a big stride as well.It is certainly correct to merge the DTS and STS into one. They were only competing with each other.In addition you can't be a true player with a large FWD luxury car. The replacement certainly promises somthing special.

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no1listensanyway - 9/17/2007 1:24:14 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

If Cadillac puts as much effort as they have with the Escalade/CTS, they will def be a tier one player.

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85bmw745i - 9/18/2007 8:08:33 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

what effort, re badging a chevy tahoe.......

85bmw745i - 9/18/2007 8:09:25 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

great job on the cts though. thank hip hop for the escalades success

ThierryHenry14 - 9/17/2007 6:36:23 PM

-2 Boost

lets dissect your comment...

"Cadillac is world class"

No they are not. They sold less than 5,000 cars worldwide (excluding its home market), Its only used by 1 world head of state (George Bush)

"...new designs a far from boring and looks better then most bmw's or lexus's"

Besides the grammatical mistakes, which I will not get into, this sentence has no basis and is opinionated.

In other words, your comments have no merit.

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bmwdrvr - 9/17/2007 9:39:28 PM

+3 Boost

wow you sound upset with cadillac, is world class. GM'S poor ideas, and watering the brand down or not. it has the prestige to stand against most cars up to mercedes, not above that but up to mercedes bmws, and audi. it has the heritage as well. besides Cadillacs were once the standard of the world in original times and were priced against the likes of Bentley and Rolls Royce it is GM that has brought them into a household name, and lower end brand than what it was. but there are people that sware by cadillac, and consider cadillac the top choice over BMW over Mercedes, and for that reason alone it is world class. How many, people over seas lust after escalades, sts, the new sls, or the xlr if you can say any than it is World CLass. they are some value added brand(not downing them) GM has always ran its prices right there with best in class

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zorbeeze - 9/18/2007 1:40:56 PM

+2 Boost

let's dissect your comments:
"Besides the grammatical mistakes, which I will not get into, this sentence has no basis and is opinionated."
A-we're not doing a grammar test
B-every comment is opinionated, it's human nature to give your opinion on an article presented to you

"No they are not."
Not too long ago Cadillac was the benchmark for luxury. And within time they'll get back to that stage.

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S4cabriofoxone - 9/19/2007 12:09:50 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Where did you get the 5,000 car figure, Henry? I have heard that they are very successful in China.

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germeezy2 - 9/17/2007 7:54:45 PM

+1 Boost

You know this is really interesting, Lexus also fares poorly outside of the US. Yet you Lexus cheer leaders always bring up US sales only. So now that I mention Cadillac who leads in US true luxury sales, all of a sudden we are talking about the world market. Come on fanboys at least base your fan boy nature on fact. Do some research Cadillac doesn't offer that much of a price break vs BMW or Mercedes. I mean even Audi's are typically cheaper and Acura's and Infiniti's are always less money.

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EL34allroad - 9/18/2007 12:55:53 PM

0 Boost

How is Cadillac doing outside of the US. That's what I thought.

zorbeeze - 9/18/2007 1:43:16 PM

+1 Boost

It's not always Lexus fans that cause this disturbances. Look at whose putting down Cadillac, they're all euro fans. So don't start a lexus war now.

"How is Cadillac doing outside of the US. That's what I thought."
How's Lexus doing outside the US? How's Audi doing in NA. How's Buick doing in China?

S4cabriofoxone - 9/19/2007 12:12:01 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Lexus is steadily increasing in Europe, but are still only a blip on most companies' radar screens. They need more Euro-biased products (a.k.a. diesels).

Audi is still on track in the US. It's not as if they have microscopic sales numbers- anything in the 100,000s is very good, and they will be this year.

Buick is the best-selling luxury brand in China, with Audi in second.

zorbeeze - 9/24/2007 1:22:03 PM

+1 Boost

Thanks S4, i was just trying to show that every market has different tastes and values.
I wasn't trying to knock down Audi, Lexus nor Buick, their all great companies, though Buick can try harder in NA.

germeezy2 - 9/17/2007 7:57:44 PM

+2 Boost

And BTW I don't own a Cadillac and have owned more BMW's than any make...but lets not forget how far Cadillac has come.

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ThierryHenry14 - 9/17/2007 9:58:00 PM

0 Boost

First off, I have NEVER talked about US sales, I don't like Lexus, and only because you live in the US do you say its world class. At no point was it ever up to Mercs, let alone RRs and Bentleys - must be dumb to even bring that up.

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zorbeeze - 9/18/2007 1:45:41 PM

+2 Boost

Yes there was a time when Cadillac was more luxurious then Mercedes. Do some research you ignorant tool.

ThierryHenry14 - 9/18/2007 2:53:36 PM

0 Boost

speaking of tool...

what research would prove that they are more luxurious? can you tell me that? price (stupid)? the type of wood?

Lets call an end to this...

Luxurious is in the eyes of the beholder...

germeezy2 - 9/17/2007 10:35:17 PM

+3 Boost

Incorrect my friend, you must do some research before speaking. The Cadillac V-16 was one of the original high end plutocrat car. Besides being the first with a self starter and winning the Dewars award.

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germeezy2 - 9/17/2007 10:38:58 PM

+1 Boost

Agruably its one of the top luxury brands as far as heritage and history. Which although I am not a huge fan of Audi I respect the history as well. And if you are truly a learned man you would know that Cadillac, Lexus and yes even Jaguar are much better than Mercedes when it comes to quality as of late.

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S4cabriofoxone - 9/19/2007 12:13:49 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Cadillac, Lexus, Jaguar, Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Acura and Porsche are all ahead of Mercedes-Benz in reliability. But quality? That's not really clear.

ThierryHenry14 - 9/17/2007 10:39:38 PM

-1 Boost

...they put out a concept car, and that makes them as prestigeous?

I give them credit for being US' most luxurious, but not worldly...

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ThierryHenry14 - 9/18/2007 2:56:46 PM

+1 Boost

I never knew how many people have never been outside the US...

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Porschinator - 9/18/2007 7:32:52 PM

+1 Boost

I agree and disagree with some of you. Cadillac at one time was a much more prestigious marque...30 years ago. Of course GM is about making money and during the late 70's and 80's GM has reduced the prestige. Mostly due to the strain of the UAW and cost cutting required alot of rebadging/cost-cutting.

Cadillac in the 90's was a very good vehicle but lacked modern styling that German and Japanese luxury brands developed.

Cadillac in the last 10 years have made a surge to remake the brand as "modern", desirable to younger buyers (Catera - half-ass attempt until CTS) and developed great tech that BMW and MB use (Head up display, night vision, others I forgot). The previous CTS and new CTS ar every nice and competitive. Will take another 5 years of improvments for Cadillac to be considered a Tier 1 player by the masses.

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