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Automotive News & Views Can GM make Cadillac the standard of the world Again?
6098 messages, Last post on Aug 14, 2009 at 4:43 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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The 2008 model year just started a few months back so I think we should see where the CTS stands after a full year. I would think it appeals to more younger people than before. One probable reason why CTS is selling to an older crowd relative to it's 2007 version is because the ATP is probably $5000 higher. The 2008 has more content and the ATP is always much higher for any new vehicle at it's new model intro. People pay closer to MSRP, buy more options and get the higher models. Couple years into it's life cycle it goes the other way. SOOO, again the wealthier buy in the first years and that means the older consumer is buying. |
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Replying to: 62vetteefp (Jan 07, 2008 11:24 am) I'm actually surprised that the average age of a Rolls owner is only 63. About half of the ones I see are being driven by a chauffer and "Miss Daisy" looks to be in her 80's or 90's. Maybe it's the kids buying the car for mom and writing it off as a medical expense.
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Replying to: habitat1 (Jan 07, 2008 12:46 pm) Someone earlier on posted it.
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Replying to: lemko (Jan 07, 2008 6:14 am)  Lemko, have you checked the MKS, out pal ? Man that car is Sharp !!! -Rocky |
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Replying to: 62vetteefp (Jan 07, 2008 1:26 pm) According to the article: the baby boomers, who will start hitting age 65 in 2011 ..... Eventually, 79 million baby boomers will hit 65. Cadillac has remade itself as a powerful, youthful brand, and its last old-fogy car — the DeVille — is in its final model year. General Motors, which owns Cadillac, dropped the Oldsmobile brand because of its older image and waning sales. GM's Buick, Olds and Cadillac divisions were catering to an older demographic when that segment wasn't very large and younger buyers flocked to other brands and makes. Now that the American popluation is about to enter the most significant "graying of America" period in it's history, Olds has been killed and Caddy is trying to be young and hip. Regardless of my personal preferences in cars, it appears that GM is perenially out of sync. They needed young and hip cars 20 years ago. Today they might actually want models that appeal to the older generation which will be increasing significantly over the next 20+ years. That doesn't mean "stodgy", as the article suggests. But it also doesn't mean ignoring the only demographic segment and loyal customer base that has kept the company out of bankruptcy. It's not the older buyers that are the "enemy" of GM. It was the incompetent employees in the design, engineering, marketing and manufacturing departments that couldn't put together decent cars to appeal to younger buyers in the 1970's, 1980's and 1990's. Now might be exactly the right time to embrace the older buyer.
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Replying to: habitat1 (Jan 08, 2008 2:46 am) I thought the article said it but perhaps it was some other. The baby boomers do not want old people cars. Since I am just about 50 (WOW) I can see that. The cars of yesteryear designed for older folks were well done and did their jobs great. Buicks, Olds and Cadillac did great. But today's soon to be old population does not want that. They do not want to drive old cars. Buick and Cadillac are doing exactly what the older population coming up wants. The Cadillacs are more performance oriented and hip. Buicks are becoming more stylish and premium lux, including the ride. I see nowhere where GM has thrown away the older market. If anything they continue to get it, as evidenced by our previous threads. Now if you feel Caddy and Buick are taking the wrong direction I wonder who you think the boomers will be buying into? Lexus? Well they are as close to Buick in so many ways that Buick will be there for them. Mercedes/BMW? Again Cadillac is right there with their new products coming out. Both divisions are squarely aiming at the boomers with money. Most Chevrolet models also can satisfy boomers that do not have the money or do not feel the need to spend it on a car. Only Saturn and Pontiac seem to be going after a more youthful market. Heck what makes a vehicle more attractive to the boomers? Ride? Ergonomics? Styling?
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| For those who continue to doubt that Cadillac is serious about competing I suggest you check out the specs on the CTS-V. I'm sure there will still be naysayers claiming "it looks good on paper but that doesnt mean it can compete with M cars" but I will let the car speak for itself. Based on GM press release the car has 550hp and 550 lb-ft from the 6.2L V8 as well as 19" rims on Z rated tires, huge Brembo brakes with 6 piston calipers in front and 4 in the back, recaro seats with 14 way adjustment, magneride, launch control system to keep the car from burning up rear tires, choice of 6 speed auto with paddle shifters and 6 speed manual and new interior trim. It may not be standard of the world, but its sounds good to me and enough to meet or beat the E63 and M5. | |
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