Cadillac says Escalade hybrid stickers easily removed by dealers
Cadillac recently provided some Detroit-area media an opportunity to drive the new Cadillac Escalade hybrid. From a driving perspective the Escalade is indistinguishable from the Tahoe and Yukon hybrids, which should come as no surprise since it is mechanically identical. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as these big SUVs are the most fuel-efficient of their type. One area where we had hoped to see a difference, however, was in the hybrid signage. When the Tahoe and Yukon launched, their flanks were emblazoned with huge hybrid stickers. They've apparently done little to stimulate sales. Unfortunately, the Escalades on hand for the drive were similarly marked, though the lettering was a bit more subdued. Nonetheless, we asked Cadillac officials, "Will it be possible for customers to order a hybrid without the rocker panel and window graphics?" The response was that all hybrids would be shipped from the factory with the decals. However, at customer request, the dealers can easily remove the lettering with a heat gun. We also learned that some states actually prohibit any stickers on the glass, so vehicles shipped to those states will go without the windshield and tailgate decals from the factory. Even without the sticker package, the Escalade still has prominent hybrid badges on the fender vents, the C-pillar and tailgate, so no one is likely to miss what it is.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Alex Nunez 11:41AM (8/10/2008)
"The response was that all hybrids would be shipped from the factory with the decals."
Yeah, because luxury buyers are so into decals. This is stupid.The Hybrid badges on the fender vents, etc. are plenty big enough without having to further browbeat the point home with the ridiculous stickers.
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Cmicasa the GREAT 2:16PM (8/10/2008)
I don't understand why this is such a big deal to anyone who has ever bought a car. If U have ever done so... and had PINSTRIPES on your car when it was delivered, it was EASY to remove them with a Hair Blower....
Josiah 3:08PM (8/10/2008)
Think about the typical buyer of an Escalade (and how they're customized) and then read your statement about "luxury-buyers" again. I don't think decals are outside the realm of acceptable decorations when you're most likely going to see obscenely large chrome rims and who knows what other tacky add-ons adorning these new SUV's. The folks who buy Escalade's aren't the same folks who buy Range Rovers.
Seoultrain 4:47PM (8/10/2008)
I'd say Escalade and Range Rover buyers have significant overlap. Where are you getting that from?
AMcA 4:58PM (8/10/2008)
To put it in LA terms, Escalades are very South Central, while Range Rovers are more Bel-Air.
Or in NY terms, 'Slades are very Bronx, while Range Rovers are very Westchester.
Same price, yes. Very different class.
why not the LS2LS7? 5:11PM (8/10/2008)
Oh yes, that's correct. All those Esclades you see running around in LA were bought by people who live in South Central.
How ridiculous.
BTW they aren't even the same price, the RR runs $80K and even the Hybrid Escalade is only $71K.
Clarence Young 6:00PM (8/10/2008)
You don't understand. This is how old guys get young chicks who are sooo totttttallllllllllllllly green. Send the stickers to my address. I will apply them to my 88 Saab Turbo.
Torrent 10:06PM (8/10/2008)
Well, I respect the fact that there is even a such thing as a full size SUV hybrid. If the SUV works, (and by Tahoe and Yukon Hybrid's reviews, it does) I wouldn't give a damn if HYBRID was sprawled across the bottom of my Esaclade. Plus, It can be easily removed, so it's no big deal.
hydrogenvodka 10:45PM (8/10/2008)
@clarence: brilliant LOL
MemphisNET 2:16PM (8/10/2008)
Hey GM. You're not being very eco-friendly if you're wasting money, time and material on something 99% of buyers are just going to rip off and throw out :p
Hopefully the Chrysler won't do the same with the Durango/Aspen.
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Brent 5:07PM (8/10/2008)
The Chrysler offerings only come with the "Hemi Hybrid" emblem on the liftgate.
MachinaDC5 2:17PM (8/10/2008)
Screw VTEC stickers, I want hybrid stickers!
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adelossa 7:34PM (8/10/2008)
here: http://tinyurl.com/5ssyv9
jon 2:23PM (8/10/2008)
look at me, look at me! I have a friggin 2 ton Hybrid, see it says so right on the side in 6" letters.
Some people will want to leave these on you know. It's that important to them that everyone knows they are being "green" It's probably former Hummer H2 owners. They are over compensating again. They are like born-again SUV owners.
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cowboy bob 3:19PM (8/10/2008)
You are so right. I was going to say the same thing, and then read yours. I wonder if they can re-spell it "High-Bred" to further inflate the biggest a-holes.
why not the LS2LS7? 5:12PM (8/10/2008)
It's a 3-ton hybrid. The LS600h is the 2-ton hybrid. 2.5-ton actually.
Brian 2:24PM (8/10/2008)
But you need those Hybrid stickers so everyone knows you are driving such an environmentally friendly car that gets 20 mpg.
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Dave 2:35PM (8/10/2008)
How about building an Escalade light. Take a ton off the weight and put an "Escalade Light" decal on the side. Offer a hybrid on top of that and the luxury SUV might be a good citizen (sic) to the world.
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Franz 2:46PM (8/10/2008)
I keep wondering when the focus will switch from trying to make huge behemoths such as these fuel efficient to going back to building lightweight, cheap vehicles that don't need hybrid technology to get over 20mpg. I mean, hybrid technology is good, and the bump in city mpg can't be ignored but if we're gonna be serious about using less fuel overall, the focus should be on making vehicles lighter instead of just on engine tech.
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MemphisNET 3:15PM (8/10/2008)
Some of us actually still need these - although the Escalade in general is silly. A base Tahoe or Durango Hybrid is more desireable in my eyes.