BLS Wagon Announced
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
The travel schedule for March is heavy, but I thought I'd check in with some news from Europe.
The Geneva show was another good one for General Motors. Among other introductions, we unveiled two sporty Opels that made a splash: the Opel Corsa OPC and the Opel GTC Concept, both great indicators of the current focus and direction of Opel Design.
We also showed, for the first time in Europe, the all-new Cadillac CTS, first unveiled at the Detroit show in January. In fact, Cadillac made a lot of news last week. We took the wraps off an all-new 2.9-liter, 250-hp diesel V6 that will be used primarily in Europe, and will be introduced in the Cadillac CTS in 2009.
The availability of diesel powerplants is obviously hugely important in Europe, and this is something we've needed to make Cadillac a stronger player in the market, so I'm glad it's in the offing.
Wagons are another popular item in the European auto market that Cadillac had been lacking – until now. For the first time in its 104-year history, Cadillac will have a pure wagon in its lineup later this year when the BLS Wagon goes on sale in Europe.
The BLS Wagon will give European customers another option when it comes to our flagship brand, a new reason to take another look at Cadillac. And they'll have their choice of gasoline engine turbo-diesel, manual or automatic transmission.
This vehicle is another example of our global product development organization in action, sizing up what is needed in which market, and quickly and efficiently delivering.
In this case, we're continuing to build the Cadillac brand in Europe, where we aim for it to be a true contender in the luxury market, so we're expanding its offerings, both in terms of product and powertrain, to meet the needs and expectations of European customers.
That being said, we're not naïve about it. No one expects Cadillac just to appear in European showrooms and take the continent by storm. That's crazy. For one thing, we know the established competition is far too formidable for that to happen.
We also know we have to take our time to introduce ourselves to European customers, and show them what Cadillac is all about. So we're building the Cadillac portfolio in Europe, and its momentum, gradually. But make no mistake: Cadillac is in Europe for the long haul.
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And when will we see a diesel in a car in the US? Certainly a better option than the BAS Hybrid.
Mr. Lutz,
While attention is being given to Cadillac of Europe, one of the major complaints is the size of the Cadillac BLS. European vehicles are sometimes smaller in size than the BLS, which may be hurting sales in Europe.
The fact that the Cadillac line-up is significantly bigger then it’s competition with no small car offering.
Hopefully we can see Cadillac focus on the small “1-series” market for both Europe as well as North America.
Maybe try introducing some diesels here if you can get the emissions down.
Bob,
While you are over there don’t forget to bring back a present for America when you come back. Here is a list of the requests just in case you forgot.
The first one of course is the…
Let me put it this way, if you’re single or under 40 years old Cadillac has a big sign on its doors.
WE HAVE NOTHING FOR YOU!!!
The BLS can and will change all that. We can laugh at the Catera all we want but I see a lot on the road and people treat them like new cars. Here is the rest of the list and it’s growing.
1. BLS/throw in the wagon
2. Opel Corsa
3. Chevy Captiva/Daewoo S3X
4. the new Diesel
5. Astra Coupe w/ big windshield
But back to the BLS. There is absolutely nothing at the Cadillac dealership for a single person, everything there is full size, mid size, crossover or sport utility. Oh wait, I forgot about that $100,000 XLR, not quite there yet Bob.
And the way marriages are going these days half the population will never consider a Cadillac.
Mr. Lutz: When will this great new 2.9-liter, 250-hp Turbo-diesel V6 be available here?
Can it meet 50 state emissions?
Even if it cannot, put it into the CTS for the U.S. market anyway and let the car buyers in California and New York demand it from their states.
Good to here that there will be a wagon version of the BLS but I think the BLS would sell better in the U.S. market as a Buick Century.
Wagons can sell in the U.S. if they are well designed as the BLS is.
Where is a Sedan version of the Solstice?
It would be about the size of the BLS and be a competent competitor for the 3-series and C-Class in both the U.S and Europe.
Are we to take from “2.9-liter, 250-hp diesel V6 that will be used primarily in Europe, and will be introduced in the Cadillac CTS in 2009,” that the ‘09 CTS for North America will have an available diesel?
Mr. Lutz:
Cadillac and Packard were successful exporting to Europe and Asia before World War II. In fact the Emperor of Japan owned Cadillacs, Packards, and Pierce-Arrows. Cadillac, if General Motors is persistent, can be successful around the world. Toyota is successful in large measure because of persistence. For instance, it took four generations of Toyota minivans in before they had a fully competitive one. The original Japanese market Toyota van, the Previa, and the original Sienna were not fully competitive. Toyota kept analyzing their mistakes, kept doing better, and never gave up. If General Motors is determined to make Cadillac a worldwide luxury car force, is persistent, keeps improving, and goes about it with the proper fighting sprit (like the U.S. Marines), General Motors will succeed.
Respectfully,
Eric Matthew Vest
Will GM be releasing diesel passenger cars in the US? That’s the easiest way to boost gas mileage.
And if the laws aren’t amenable to this, do what big corporations do and change them!
Dear Mr. Lutz,
well, the Cadillac-lineup for sure is strong, but there dramatically has to be changed the perception of Cadillac all over Europe. Maybe I am repeating myself, but I am sure, the majority of my folks in Germany does not even know that there already is available a Cadillac BLS with a Diesel (40 mpg) right now, maybe some don’t have ever heard, that Cadillac is selling vehicles over here at all.
There are commercials about Dodge and Chrysler on German TV (or newspaper-ads), so I can’t see any reason why there shouldn’t be a Cadillac-Spot.
Finally some good news from Europe, regarding the BLS:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/03/11/039916.html
Maybe this report features another reason to bring the BLS to the US, either.
So, then are you going to begin introducing non-truck diesels in your U.S. lineup?
In addition, I’d love a station wagon from GM and the BLS wagon with a turbo-diesel would be the ideal car for me.
I’m sorry, but SUV’s, minivans, and crossover vehicles are not what I’m looking for and are not an acceptable substitute for a station wagon in the U.S.
Greg
So, what about Saab?
Wow. The car your mentioned above is precisely the kind of car that I would buy. Diesel, a wagon, and something that isn’t a Mercedes/BMW/Audi.
The only problem… I live in the U.S. So my question for you would be does GM have plans on launching such a product for the NA market?
If you look at the US market, certain regions lean favorably towards Euro tastes. NYC, SF, LA, Boston, Miami… basically anywhere that holds enclaves of wealthy people, these people also tend to drive the same cars: BMWs, Volvos, Mercedes and so on. You will also see scores of people driving Subarus, Volvo Cross countrys, and other foreign brand station wagons.
I think there is a demand for wagons here basically because they offer an alternative for those who don’t want to be stuck with only 2 options: SUV or car.
I would strongly suggest bringing the BLS wagon, either gas or diesel to certain US areas for testing to see if it would sell. I think it would.
Dear Bob
Regarding the direction of cadillac. I think you should go ahead with the ultra luxry car and forget the smaller car. As a matter of fact I think you should bump the CTS up to 5 series both in size and price. That way you will have more room to fit buick in the luxry segment.Buick should start in the 30 thousand range and go up from there. Cadillac should start in the 40 thousand range and go up from there. Eventuly cadillac should work its way up to the ultra luxry range only. This will leave room for buick to compete in the luxry car range such as Lexus, Mecedes and BMW. Otherwise you will have too many products competeing for the same customers. You do not need to go back yo your old way of doing business. You do not need a vehicle in every catagory for every brand you make. Thank You Felix
The problem is that Cadillac frankly doesn’t have a good image in Europe.
I suspect most people in Europe link the word Cadillac to huge big cars with fins, huge engines and an equally huge fuel bill.
GM already have some strong “Premium” brand names in Europe – Saab being an obvious one.
Why not concentrate on building up Saab as a brand rather than taking a Saab and sticking a different front and back end on it and calling it a Cadillac BLS?
Just like GM holds Saabs head underwater here in the US so too in Europe? Why not go after market share of the competition instead of your own brand(s)?
Do like the idea of a stump-rippin chain-drive diesel V6 capable of 40 mpg in many models however.
As interesting as the BLS is – especially with the TD – I think a CTS wagon of the shooting brake style is a more compelling product for North America. Not only does this slightly larger product sidestep a tough competitor in Subaru (that was a sad day for GM…) but it provides a more family-friendly solution that would, with the addition of the 2008’s AWD package, be sure to show up alongside Audis, Bimmers, and Benzes at ski resorts and cycling events across the country.
“European vehicles are sometimes smaller in size than the BLS, which may be hurting sales in Europe.” – Josh E. Oliver
Hi Josh,
I don’t think the size of the BLS might prove as negative. Several months ago I could take a closer look on a brand-new BLS at a GM-Dealership in Frankfurt. The dimensions are similar to those of the main competitors. I am 6.25 ft. tall and it was very pleasant to sit down behind the wheel of the BLS. I already was driving a Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4 at my former company. The BLS appears roomier to me. BTW, the BLS already gained praise at test-drives (TV, car-mags) over here, either. I think it could sell much better, if the marketing would improve, like I mentioned at my previous comment.
In my opinion this should have been mentioned at the official GM News, since this also has to do with changing perceptions, in this case regarding Cadillac in particular: http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=210784
Bring the 2.9 diesel to Canada! H3, Colorado, Canyon, etc.
Bring the diesel to the U.S. please!
Sorry Bob,
But the BLS wagon, like the BLS sedan and the coming BRX, are doomed to failure. Why? Because you have already forgotten what launched the renaissance of Cadillac. PROPRIETARY ARCHITECTURES AND ENGINES!
Sigma is a Cadillac exclusive. So was the NorthStar V-8. So now that you have proven conclusively that the way to elevate Cadillac into the ranks of the true luxury marques is with exclusive architectures and powertrains, you revert to platform sharing and a move downmarket. To put it bluntly, that is simply dumb.
Rumors abound concerning a new Cadillac based on Zeta. Just what Cadillac needs, a new car based on a Chevrolet. Nothing stirs the passion of a luxury buyer quite like a tarted up entry-level vehicle. When will you get it that the buyers of a BMW, Bentley or Mercedes want exclusivity? They do not want shared engines or platforms.
Cadillac will never achieve greatness until the do some very fundamental things. Use only proprietary architectures and engines (the new Ultra V-8 should be a Cadillac exclusive, and a new exclusive 6 cylinder, preferable an inline 6, should also be developed). Figure out your sizes (is the CTS a 3-series or 5-series competitor? Is the STS a 5 or 7-series competitor?). Price and equip the cars accordingly (if the CTS is slotted against the 5-series, where is the NorthStar option? Why is it priced against the 3? You do not raise brand equity by being the cheaper alternative). Get rid of pushrods (leave that to Chevy and Buick. There is no place for them at Cadillac. The supercharged NorthStar would make a fine CTS-V engine. Then put a V-12 in the STS-V and the Escalade). Forever banish fake wood, foot actuated parking brakes, column shifters and non-power tilt/telescopic steering columns from all Cadillacs. Offer manual transmissions in every V-Series derivative, and offer a V derivative of every model in your lineup. Use only advanced technology in your powertrains and make superior horsepower (the direct-injection 3.6 liter should be the standard CTS engine, and it still makes less power than 3.5 liter competitors from Lexus and Infiniti). Leave the current DTS crowd to Buick (which should have had a long-wheelbase Lucerne to offer from day one). Never, ever, ever put a Cadillac badge on anything that began life as a front-wheel drive based vehicle. Ever.
Do that, and you will win. Pursue volume, and you will forever be an also-ran. It really is that simple.
Is the Cadillac BLS really a Saab with Cadillac skin?
Hello Bob,
I am one of your biggest supporters, but I don’t think the BLS does anything for Cadillac.
With it’s quirky looks it may have been better suited to be a Saab.
Question…with the lower dollar, why aren’t we exporting more from NA to Europe?
How about creating a specialized dealer network that carries the best of the best GM brands in each country. Each dealer would carry models that make economic sense at the time. The mix and country of origin would always evolve. It could be set-up as a premium network with margins to mine.
Sweet! A modern day “shooting-brake” (that’s sport wagon for you youngsters)
a bit smaller than the SRX with diesel fuel economy.
Lets’s get this show on the road for the US.
“Is the Cadillac BLS really a Saab with Cadillac skin?”
Hi Brent,
the BLS is built in Trollhattan, Sweden, and, yes, it shares the platform with the Saab 9-3. I already saw the BLS at a dealer-showroom and at the end it looks pretty different in comparison to the Saab 9-3, inside, either. Also other major car companies use the same platform for different models, e.g. VW Passat – Skoda Octavia, VW Golf IV – Seat Leon, (if I’m not wrong) previous Mercedes SLK – Chrysler Crossfire, Renault Modus – Dacia Logan, Smart ForFour – Mitsubishi Colt… and so on.
Pete only needs to look at the current sales numbers for Cadillac cars to realize that platform sharing is a necessary evil for survival. Of course this assumes that premium features and choice of interior materials are not compromised. If Cadillac sold as many cars as BMW this would not be an issue – they could remain exclusive in all aspects. But, alas, they do not even come close on a global scale.
Did the exclusive Sigma platform set the world on fire, and create a long and lasting buzz and market demand? Sadly, no. Is is because of the parts bin sharing and emphasis on cost cutting by the beancounters? I would agree, this definitely has an impact.
Oh gosh. Where to start? Firstly, to those who wish GM had a wagon to offer them, surprise ! GM has two, There called Sport Combis and come in two sizes. As a matter of fact, the smaller one is actually the BLS wagon without the Cadillac grill and taillights and the shrunken hurst look. So run to your nearest Saab dealer and treat yourself to the original. Unfortunately, neither the diesel or bio power variants are available in NA but that could be fixed much quicker than importing the BLS.
As for the whole idea of trying to establish Cadillac in Europe it is proving to be an endless waste of resources of all kind. How many BLS did you sell exactly so far? how many Escalades (oh my gawd)? Two, three thousand ? I forget the number it is so small. Have the humility to admit the error, cut your losses and run. Remember, your biggest problem at the moment is NA, not Europe which is responding nicely to your turnaround efforts. Keep working at your NA turnaround, and don’t dilute your resources needlessly. Surely all this money would have been better spent on reviving the aging Saab lineup? After all, Saab is your only global prestige brand and it would be much easier to bring it up to speed while it still retains a little credibility, than trying to impose an american icon to people who frankly, are not very pro american these days as you well know. It would also be consistent with the huge investments you already made in Saab, which has a much better chance of going after Merc, Audi, BMW Volvo and the others. For sure, if you run Saab into the ground, that’s where I’m going, not to Cadillac.
AWESOME! I’ve been looking for an old cadillac wagon conversion, but I’d totally buy one of these.
Bring it to the U.S.(especially the manual tranny version)!
-c
I think I am going to go with Bob on this one.
The idea here is no more Zeta, Sigma etc…it’s now becoming
global rear wheel drive platform
global front drive platform
etc…etc…
If we can save billions on platforms perhaps we can spend the money on more variations FROM those platforms. Like an exotic Cadillac along side the Efigy.
I want GM to outspend every automaker on product development, but I want them to do it in a way that is smart, intelligent and gets the most bang for the buck.
In short?
Alright everybody, sit back, let’s all watch the master work.
here’s my opinion partly about the BLS problem I posted on GMi forums, better read it GM guys:
‘GM did advertise BLS on billboards and whole Cadillac on TV in Poland but for a very short period of time. The problem is they advertised only the most inferior Cadillac (BLS) and not the STS for example. Secondly the BLS was advertised not in the magazine it should have been advertised. For example in ‘Auto Swiat’ (German Auto Bild branch) which is a magazine that is bought by Taxi drivers (maybe GM wanted to attract E-Class drivers ) , teenagers and people looking to buy a used Daewoo Matiz not a luxury car. A single ad in Polish Auto Motor und Sport was a good one though ( an addition with a description of the whole line-up) but that’s all. There was also a huge billboard at square in Warsaw where are some posh boutiques and Sheraton Hotel (where Warsaw celebrities often get drunk ) Maybe the ad worked well because the Sheraton parking lot is a place where I see the new Caddies quite often , recently a new Escalade but no BLS cars.’
Bob:
Recommendation: Bring this diesel to America. Install in Cadillacs, Chevy Malibu, Buick Lucerne, Lambda crossovers, and oh what the heck, how about the Saturn Aura too? (If there is sufficient room). Make sure the bugs are worked out, and you will have success. Plus, this will boost your fuel efficiency ratings across the board, and it is not an extreme new technology like hybrids, (nothing against hybrids but they are still fairly new to a lot of people). Good luck!
Good to see that some taboos in Cadillac are being broken. Maybe you should have wagons at least 30 or 40 years before now, in the time that Mercedes was selling around their ugly wagons (well, they’re still makers of some of the harshest SWs today) and stablishing the brand in this niche. How many sales Caddy lost to Volvo, Mercedes, Audi and BMW just because it didn’t have a wagon in its lineup? And I’m not mentioning any market outside US…
And also I will tell something that I said before and maybe you are more than bored to read from me: bring Cadillac officially to Brazil! You can begin by the new CTS just to create a first impact in our market. Then you can bring the other models. How about the XLR just to offer competition to the Mercedes SL? Hey, you can also bring the STS (or maybe its Chinese version, the SLS, to compete with S-Class and 7-Series). We’ll only be waiting the 1 and 3-Series killers. But also remember: rear wheel drive all across and RWD-bias all-wheel drive systems. Hey, here in Brazil it’s easier to compete in the luxury market. Remember that Lexuses are sold in very, very few quantities compared to MB, Bimmer, Audi and Volvo. Lincoln, Infiniti and Acura don’t exist here. Compared to Europe, other least-sellers here are Alfa-Romeo and Jaguar. Let’s also remember that no luxury brand except Audi could have so many dealers as Caddy, not even Alfa-Romeo. That’s because GM has the second largest network in Brazil, only behind VW. And here in Brazil we don’t have any prejudice about selling luxury rides next to the ordinary ones, but we love to be well treated when arriving at a dealer, no matter what kind of ride we would buy.
While there is a loyal diesel following in the United States, it remains a small minority. I feel diesel is a good alternative fuel and should be encouraged, but reality is that some carmakers that brought diesel vehicles to the United States ended up cancelling production amid poor sales. But I have a hard time believing that if Honda can make a natural gas-powered Civic, the General cannot bring a diesel Caddy. I would not put much faith in the BLS, as European reviews have attacked its build quality, road manners, mileage, and interior. I would love to see a Baby Caddy here, but not this one–diesel or petrol.
Bob,
How about a wagon for the rest of us in the US?
Nice use of the word “primarily”. 8^)
Personally, I’d love to be able to buy a TD AWD minivan as a fuel-efficient winter commuting vehicle.
Regarding the rumored sub BLS class Cadillac:
Hello Bob Lutz,
I love Cadillac, do not waste money studying a smaller than BLS model.
In Europe, your SAAB brand would more immediately benefit from a premium small car. Since SAAB is a well known brand for GM Europe, you could more easily take it both into the premium compact market segment and. further up market as well.
Cadillac as a brand is much more glamorous and upscale than SAAB.
However, most Europeans are pickier about their car’s automotive heritage than Americans and will overlook Cadillac for the much more established SAAB brand.
Please, for both Cadillac and SAAB, very quickly make easy upgrades -throw in some over the top first class interiors – I’m talking $60k looking interior in a $40k car.
Offer GM’s best diesel engines for every European Cadillac. Expand Biofuel offerings for SAAB. I hate to say the L word, you must match LEXUS for quality/refinement as well.
Since SAAB already outsells Cadillac in Europe and both share dealerships, use these quick upgrades and smart marketing to help SAAB bring in the biggest money for awhile. At the same time remake Cadillac into a highly desirable yet lower volume brand for now. Gradually build demand and image until Europeans aspire to pay top dollar for Cadillac.
Dear Mr. Lutz,
as I can read, your entry is from 03-11-2007. That’s five days ago and about at the same time there had been several media-reports about the Cadillac BLS Wagon, also in Europe. As I was visiting the Cadillac Europe-Website this afternoon, there was still not a single word about the BLS Wagon, but at least a preview concerning the all-new CTS. What’s going on there in the Netherlands? How could it be, that anybody else is informing about the BLS Wagon before them? Is the Cadillac & Corvette Europe B.V. not interested in selling cars? I think there needs to be somebody to turn up the heat on them.
Sidenote…The China Buick LaCrosse looks great! Move that design group to the front of the class.
Now have that team pull from GM platforms and parts bins to design a smaller car for Cadillac of Europe.
Make sure the platform can perform to match the styling.
So, 250 hp diesel in Europe? Right now one of teh biggest advancements domestically is pure biodiesel, using virgin oilstocks and not pulling up to the tank at McDonald’s. As long as we do not short our food supply the ability of biodiesel to help extend the reach of diesel is a good thing. They can be clean enough for 50 state emission. And most of us forgive you for the POS Olds diesel fiasco.
OK, still not the exact forum to bring it up, but HELLO from South America. Yes, you are selling fairly well here, however, you need to refresh your product line-up before you do a repeat of North America! I get why you brought the Corvette here, but an image booster can only go so far. Please update these models soon and please get a decent crossover here to compete with what the Japanese are importing. Chevrolet IS relevent here, no doubt, but you’ve got to go beyond expectations before you wind up with an image that will take years to erase! Product, product, product!!!!
Dear Bob
I am writing this about Buick.I just read an artical about the next Buick lacross being designed in china. After seeing photos of the chineese exterior and interior both of which is much better than the U S version, I think this is a great idea. As I said before Buick need to be brought up to and exceed lexus standards in all aspects such as style, drivetrain,performance, quality the total package.Buick need to win all comparson tests in every catagory. Here is my idea of what Buicks lineup should be. The Buick Century front wheel drive to match the Lexus ES. The Buick Laseber rear wheel drive to match the Lexus GS. The Buick Electra to match the Lexus LS. The Buick Enclave which you already have coming. Last but certenly not least a large rear wheel drive luxry sports coupe also avalable as a convertable by the name of RIVERA.
Hello Bob and GM,
Bob if you take a look through these posts you may notice a trend; bring auto diesel engines like the Europeans are getting and bring wagons back to GM dealerships! I don’t know where the aversion to wagons began and why it is still persisting in corporate GM but stop already, please! I am fifty one years of age so I can be considered a “boomer” and I have fond memories of family trips in station wagons. My guess is that many Americans around my age do too. I am in line to buy the new Camaro (beautiful and a throw-back as well) but I would like to get a Chevy or Cadillac wagon with all-wheel-drive (I live in the mountains) with a diesel! My family is small; I have a six-year-old son and my wife and the BLS would be perfect. So read over these posts and I think you’ll agree there is a pent-up demand for wagons and diesels. Give us what we want and we’ll help make GM number one again. Thanks Bob and GM, keep up the good work.
I think that both Cadillac and Saab could have sold more cars in both Sweden and the rest of Europe by comparatively simple means.
I also doubt that it was necessary to create a specific marketing organization for the European countries although I can not judge how much the extra cost would have been if existing GM organizations had been assigned the task to sell Cadillacs. A separate organization may be a great idea if the cost is about the same and if selling more Cadillacs really is a strong driving force for the new organization and if this organization is interested in finding new, cost-efficient ways to sell more cars and has the ability to understand the premium car market in Europe and the customers.
Furthermore, I am not sure that 4-cylinder Cadillacs is a great idea in the long run (Cadillac could might use an edge as regards prestige since it unfortunately probably will be very hard to fix the problem that consumers somehow generally find European luxury cars more tasteful since they are European) although the European market probably needs a model with less than 6 cylinders. However, GM doesn´t currently have a 5-cylinder engine on its shelves although Saab definitely could have used a 5-cylinder engine when competing with Volvo.
I would also like to say a few words as regards the dealership network.
Cadillac has less dealerships in Sweden and Europe compared to BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and particularly Audi. Since the Cadillac basically is a badge-engineered Saab 9-3 and since it shares many components with Opel I think that a BLS could be serviced by any Saab or Opel dealer in Europe. Put a Cadillac advertising sign in front of every Saab, Opel and Vauxhall dealership in Europe. Although I know that the Audis now will get separate showrooms at Swedish VW/Audi dealerships I think that separate showrooms for Cadillacs is unnecessary in at least countries like Sweden and Norway. I think that 4-cylinder engines harm Cadillac´s prestige more than selling them in the same showrooms as Saab and Opel vehicles. If someone buys a more expensive Cadillac model and want to have this car serviced at a smaller dealership I think that it should be possible to take care of that even at a smaller dealership. Last year, I asked a Saab/Opel dealer if GM would allow him to repair a Cadillac BLS. He said that would not be a problem.
Sometimes, it is somewhat easier to carry out service and repair jobs if you got specific tools for the model in question. But remember that there actually are independent garages which do not have a complete set of tools for all models in the market but almost never refuse to service or repair any vehicle. These guys who run independent garages are usually very skilful. They are usually better car mechanics than most of those you find at an ordinary Saab or Opel dealerships. However, if you let the best guy in the garage at a Saab/Opel dealership work on cars like the Cadillac STS and the SRX I don´t think that it should be impossible to do a good job on those cars as well.
*********************************
There are also some interesting postings above which I would like to comment on:
————————————
Steve Atty on March 12, 2007 12:48 PM:
“The problem is that Cadillac frankly doesn’t have a good image in Europe.
I suspect most people in Europe link the word Cadillac to huge big cars with fins, huge engines and an equally huge fuel bill.
GM already have some strong “Premium” brand names in Europe – Saab being an obvious one.
Why not concentrate on building up Saab as a brand rather than taking a Saab and sticking a different front and back end on it and calling it a Cadillac BLS?”
My comments:
Maybe the problem is rather that American brands generally do not have a good image in Europe in some respects. I doubt that the problem only boils down to that the cars are associated with the old land yacht style cars. Even Americans seem to have preferred European cars (i. e. Rolls-Royce) in the ultra-luxury car segment at the end of the Interwar period. Up to the mid-1930s it was harder to tell whether a car was European or American from the way it looked. However, I think that Cadillac has already proved that it is possible for an American brand to become more competitive compared to car makes like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. I also think that people understand that a 1.9-litre diesel model is not a gas-guzzler. However, I still think there are some marketing related things which Cadillac could do that probably would increase the number of sold vehicles.
As regards Saab I must say that although I am a Swede and like the brand I don´t think that GM should expect that you can charge the same price for a Saab as for a Mercedes-Benz or BMW. I think that GM realizes that today. Saab is not a luxury brand Рespecially not in Sweden Рbut still some kind of premium brand. Saab did not discontinue its economy-class model 96 until 1980. In Sweden, it is hard to charge the same price for a Saab as for a Volvo equivalent. That problem would most likely be less significant if Saab also could offer a 5-cylinder engine. But the fact is that Saab gets a lower rating than Volvo if you ask people how prestigious they think others think these brands are. Maybe that will change now when Volvo has introduced the C30. I really hope that GM will not do the mistake to introduce a car smaller than the 9-3.
I definitely think that GM could use a more prestigious brand than Saab in Europe. The Saab name is probably very good for a car that costs 5-7 % more than a Vectra equivalent and is not more expensive than the entry-level Mercedes E-class. Saab is a competitive brand in the price bracket above the Vectra 1.8 and below the E200. But a smaller car, less expensive than the Vectra 1.8, would harm the prestige of the Saab brand and not sell in large numbers since the market for such cars is very small in Sweden and the United States and since the Saab name is not prestigious enough to generate lots of sales of down-market models just due to its brand name (unlike Mercedes-Benz with its A-class and Packard in the late 1930s).
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Pete Nicholson on March 12, 2007 10:51 PM:
[- - -] Nothing stirs the passion of a luxury buyer quite like a tarted up entry-level vehicle. [...] They do not want shared engines or platforms.
[...] Use only proprietary architectures and engines (the new Ultra V-8 should be a Cadillac exclusive, and a new exclusive 6 cylinder, preferable an inline 6, should also be developed). [- - -]
My comments:
I think that Pete Nicholson is right as regards proprietary architectures and engines. If you have to let other car makes share the same architecture/platform or the engine, see to that Cadillac gets the architecture or engine first and that Cadillac somehow can claim that they developed the engine.
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Lawrence Shine on March 15, 2007 11:19 PM:
Regarding the rumored sub BLS class Cadillac:
Hello Bob Lutz,
I love Cadillac, do not waste money studying a smaller than BLS model.
In Europe, your SAAB brand would more immediately benefit from a premium small car. Since SAAB is a well known brand for GM Europe, you could more easily take it both into the premium compact market segment and. further up market as well.
My comments:
I think that Mr Shine is wrong on Saab. I have already explained why a down-market Saab is bad both for Saab and GM. I also doubt that the Saab name is prestigious enough for a car which is considerably more expensive than the 9-5. Perhaps it would be possible to sell a 9-5 with a Northstar V-8 and a $45,000 MSRP price tag in your country. I don´t know. I don´t live in your country and the only data that may cover this topic which I have is 15 years old. In Sweden, it has always been hard to sell the most expensive 9000 and 9-5 models which is partially due to the fact that the Saab brand is less prestigious than Volvo and the German competitors. I have actually carried out some market research on this myself in Sweden.
I think that the Saab brand name is very good for the price bracket where the cars are found now. I even think that Saab could have charged a little bit more for the 9-5 if the car had offered a 5-cylinder engine instead of the 2.3-litre 4-cylinder engine. A 2.75-litre 5-cylinder base engine in the 9-5 would not be a bad idea. And why not a 2.25-litre 5-cylinder engine in an up-market version of the 9-3? A 2-litre instead of 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine in the entry-level European 9-3 would probably also result in increased sales. I think that more piston displacement and more cylinders is a better idea than continuously offering a 3-5 % discount, particularly if we are talking about piston displacement. The extra cost for more piston displacement if you use the same block is almost nothing.
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Last but not least: I think that Cadillac sales in Europe will be a failure in the future as well. I have posted some advice above free of charge above but I doubt that GM will not even consider them. But if Mr. Lutz actually thinks that my ideas are good he should might try to figure out who I am and ask for more ideas for further market research as regarding Cadillac in Europe. I would charge less than the experts GM so far has hired.
Hi Bob,
This was just posted last week on http://www.edmunds.com. The Solstice was one of your babies and why can’t GM, the most powerful car company in the world, built a reasonable priced sports car that can match or beat the Miata??
Regards,
Marc McClelland
Semper Fi
Chief Road Test Editor Chris Walton says:
I can’t think of a vehicle in the past 10 years that has so frustrated, disappointed and flat-out infuriated me as the Pontiac Solstice. With all the anticipation leading up to its initial introduction in model-year 2006, I had admittedly high hopes for the little beauty that bore Bob Lutz’s highly publicized stamp of approval. With a year’s worth of experience behind it, and added performance ahead, the 2007 Solstice GXP reignited my optimism, but ultimately fueled my despair.
It does everything it can to anger me. It started with an impossible-to-reach seatbelt that jammed between the door and the seat. It moved on impossible window switches and to inadequate interior storage. Finally I’ve got an infuriating story about putting the convertible top down/up, which not only requires getting out of the car and a handful of Rube Goldberg steps, but also running around the car to both sides.
In terms of sports car driving – wherein steering, brakes, suspension, clutch and engine all have something useful to say – my brother’s 1967 Austin Healey has a better vocabulary. I haven’t stalled a car in years, but managed to flame out in the Solstice, twice. The engine always sounds like it’s always 200 rpm away from self-destruction. The shift action feels artificially heavy. The chassis provides admirable levels of tire grip, but doesn’t communicate one bit of information through the steering or body motions. The brakes are equally capable, yet lifeless.
In the end, the GXP hasn’t got a soul. I’d gladly give up performance and even pay more for the opportunity to experience a tiny bit more inspiration and enthusiasm.
Posted by Lutz on March 11, 2007 -
A 2.9 liter, 250 hp diesel? Those lucky Europeans. How I long for that same choice here in the USA.
You know what Bob? It’d be really nice if you gave us the same choice. I’d love to be buy a GM car or light truck with a turbo-diesel and manual transmission. Instead I’m driving a VW with a TDI and a manual transmission. I routinely get mileage in the mid to high 40s, and once got as high as 53 mpg on a road trip.
Don’t you think a few turbo-diesels with manual transmissions in your stable would do wonders for GM’s CAFE? Or do your marketing people think most Americans can’t handle a manual?
Dear Bob, Forget about stinking diesels in North America. With all the rolling warehouses we have on the road the last thing we need are more diesel engines. For all who want them, sit on an over-pass somewhere in rush- hour and breath deep. Maybe you`ll change your mind. This things should be eliminated from earth.
Joe Citizen – you are clueless about modern diesel engines, don’t spoil a good thing. Bob Lutz: the leap in fuel economy from a diesel is a much greater incentive to get a light truck, since they’ll get great mileage with it compared to the gasoline engines. They are looking for some balance of efficiency – or else they’d be buying a 1500.
When, GM…WHEN are you going to capitalize on the terrific and smooth Atlas4200 Inline-6…this engine begs to be in a Buick or Cadillac, but instead we’ll see the pushrod 5.3 for Buick Super models and the ol’ Northstar V8 for Caddys. The BMW brand was built around that straight-six, which is an icon in auto circles for good reason…build up brand value by having the I-6 where possible, it could not hurt to have silky smooth torquey engines which are willing to rev. Perfect sport-luxury engine.
Joe Citizen,
driving around here in Germany, I can comprehend your opinion regarding Diesels, which we are knowing SO FAR. You are right, there are still Diesel-Cars, even many more on our roads, belching black clowds, also among newer vehicles. One of my biggest concerns regarding Diesels is the emission of NO2, which contributes to cancer. But on the other hand: I could imagine, the all-new 2.9 Diesel of the CTS will perform vastly better referring to emissions, even more since it actually provides new techniques. So I think it’s much too early to say anything negative about that engine.
One of the weakiest points of the Atlas family of engines is their tall blocks. Yes, a fantastic engine that cannot be used in passenger cars because GM didn’t think about the possibility of mounting them in bays lower than the one of a Trailblazer.
Well, I also think that General Motors should have also a good I-6 to compete in the world and also diversify the options in its divisions and whole lineup.
A good option lays in Daewoo, but it’s still not well explored. I think that the 2.5 liter version can reach far more than just 157 hp (and also the 2-liter can reach well beyond only 144 hp). You can also think about longitudinally mounting it. If it’s very compact to be mounted transversely as we see now, would be very nice packaged in a north-south way. And also it would be a very nice alternative to Bimmer inline sixes.
But this thing doesn’t mean that you have to forget about the Atlas ones. Maybe the 5 and 6 cylinder ones can have a way into car bays. Hey, Chevrolet, Holden and Opel used to have their I-6 engines. Pontiac also had its Sprint engine. Isn’t it time to rethink about a strong comeback of this configuration? Leave V6s for some brands and I6s for others and you’ll help a lot in creating distinct identities in your divisions.
Does the BLS have a foot operated emergency brake like the upcoming CTS? I sure hope the engineering team that designed in this fatal flaw in the CTS won’t be working on any future designs. That alone is the reason that the CTS w/ 6 speed won’t be my next car.
What were they thinking? Or is this another example of cost considerations over function, and of course cheap wins. It doesn’t seem that BMW has this problem with their luxury cars.
The Opel Corsa OPC? Will we will really have to wait three or four more years?
It is also too bad that the Astra Red Line / OPC does not seem to be coming stateside soon. And why not the six-speed transmission on the Astra? Four-speed automatics are so 1990s…. Why not the 2.0L Turbo from the get-go? The VW, inter alia, has the GTI. The Astra will be labelled an unexciting econo-car, guaranteed, if there is no performance version.
It is interesting that when fuel prices spike, the Japanese (Yaris, Fit) already have cars ready for our market, i.e., meet our crash tests — while the Corsa (a much better looking car) get held up a generation because “Geez, we did not design them with America in mind.” When people in their 20s are looking for small, stylish cars in 2007, for under 22K, GM is nowhere to be found — the current G6, Cobalt, and Aveo are just not there yet
Wow, lots of stuff to think about in here….
A 5 cylinder saab? why?? Saab’s are not about displacement or cylinder numbers. Saab is about using less displacement combined with turbo technology to make more power from smaller engines.
I live in Sweden and I could definatly see a Saab smaller than the 9-3 but not aimed at the BMW 1 series but rather the Golf GTI. A small hatchback Saab 9-1 Aero with a 250+ hp engine and optional AWD would be sensational.
Why is Caddy selling so few cars in Europe? A big part of it is that Europeans aren’t interested in Amercan cars. If we are to spend top money on a car it’s BMW, Audi, Merc or maybe Lexus that get the deal. Caddilac….not even close. This isn’t something that is fixable with a good car or two. It’s the whole Cadillac image that’s wrong. Hopefully GM will realize this before they spend to much $ on trying to sell cars that basically noone wants to buy.
A 2.9 liter diesel engine. Great if you want to build a Le Mans race car but for a normal passenger car a 1.9 litre engine produces all the torque you need and then some and gets better milage.
Now I’d better get back to work. Happy Easter !
YEAAH!!!! For an American Diesel car !!!!!!
Biodiesel is getting more and more popular as people learn about it: near zero emissions, great mileage, engines last forever and it supports local economies. Ethanol doesnt light a candle next to this thing!!
The Groove and Trax are the BEST ideas out of GM since the upcoming CTS. Restyle the front of each to look less dorky, give the back seat riders some legroom, make sure they have the six-speed and not the the old four, and produce them NOW. Make them! These are great!
GM is in a death spiral and who really cares anymore!
you need to work on your voting page will not load in a fashion that I can vote would vote for the Groove
Finally,
I belive you have a shot.
in 1970 I told you we needed a mini van you gave us a vega station wagon when we were looking for the Scion “roller skate”.
now with the mini cars you can tap the true Conservative market. I know you think we’re liberals or greenies but we’re not. Give us something we can depend on to be here. we know you have ablility to build Quality economical vehicles just do it.
I do like the new Cadillac styling in terms of how bold it is especially compared to some in the UK market, however, several major factors block Cadillac from been a successfull car brand yet in the UK. One factor is that there is a small dealer network and that needs to be improved PRONTO!!. Another major factor is that many people and reviews comment on the fact the the BLS (BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 et al comptitor) is based on a Saab 9-3 with little changes. Another factor is the ‘wood’ that is in the cars. Many people in the UK/EU don’t like this or find it irrelevant on cars short of a Rolls or Bentley. Another is the lack of RIGHT-HAND DRIVE cars and some more powerful diesel engines wouldn’t go amiss either