Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, LA Auto Show, Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Buick, Cadillac
GM cutting costs by delaying debut of LaCrosse and CTS Coupe
by Damon Lavrinc on Oct 24th 2008 at 2:58PM 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Cadillac CTS coupe concept
According to a report by Reuters, General Motors has nixed plans to debut production versions of the Cadillac CTS coupe and new Buick LaCrosse at the LA Auto Show next month. The report goes on to say that the Buick unveiling has been delayed until the Detroit Auto Show in January, and after navigating Cadillac's voice-mail Hell, we weren't able to get confirmation on when GM plans to reveal of the CTS coupe. The decision by GM to delay both debuts is reportedly intended to reduce costs. If you buy that one, there's a bridge we think you might be interested in. Top tip Scott S.
Gallery: 2010 Buick LaCrosse - spy shots II
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MJL 3:00PM (10/24/2008)
The Lacrosse is much more important than the CTS coupe; it should be the anchor of the Buick lineup.
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Torrent 3:36PM (10/24/2008)
I hope it's the sedan equivalent of the Enclave.
You're right, Cadillac doesn't need the CTC as much Buick needs the LaCrosse.
Mondrell 4:27PM (10/24/2008)
I'm not so sure about that. Along with MoonRover's point that there aren't many people in the market for new vehicles, I'm thinking that the times aren't much more favorable to Buick's price range than Cadillac's. Assuming parity with the current car and the continuance of benchmarking Lexus, I believe the new LaCrosse will only offer the 3.6 and thusly start in the mid to high 20K range. Not expensive, but probably not something lenders nor individuals want to entangle themselves in at the moment, either.
Flashpoint 6:30PM (10/24/2008)
I could care less about the Buick.
GIMME THE CTS Coupe...and call it the CTC !!!
I want a CTC with LAMBO DOORS. PERIOD.
And a V-series engine.
Torrent 9:40PM (10/24/2008)
Flashpoint:
NO. PLEASE NO LAMBO DOORS!
MJL 9:45PM (10/24/2008)
YES Lambo DOORS FTW
WANT NOW!!!!!! TOmorrow. Or no more buying Cadillacs.
Luis 1:15AM (10/25/2008)
I agree Buick needs the Lacrosse more...what I don't understand is this bs about the delay...wouldn't the fact that you bring your cars out sooner mean you sell sooner? Sometimes American automakers make it very clear why they are going under...
TJ 3:10PM (10/24/2008)
I saw the CTS coupe undisguised here in Denver (on Pena blvd near the hotels/56th on a car-hauler) and... Oh. My. God. It is UNBELIEVABLE. stunning.
They need the new lacrosse on lots tomorrow. the current one reminds people way too much of the early 2000's Intrigue.
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Gabagool 3:30PM (10/24/2008)
I just think that the grill is a bit too big, just make it smaller and it will be one of the most beautiful cars out there.
As much as i hate to admit it but Lutz.......did a good job on this one.
Torrent 5:04PM (10/24/2008)
I look at the current lacrosse as a 90's Taurus. The resemblance is scary. the whole front looks the same.
http://www.mtctrade.com/Vehicles/ford%20taurus.jpg
http://w02.us/pv/WKA/2004/07/30/WKA2004073048623_pv.jpg
MoonRover 3:15PM (10/24/2008)
Introducing a new car in this climate is not a good idea. When customers cannot get financing, and many are not buying at all, GM would lose the advantage a new model impacts on buyers. Many car buyers buy on impulse, if those buyers cannot get financing they might change their minds given the time to think about it. Better to wait and introduce them when the customer has money in their pockets.......That is my opinion, yours may vary.
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Icon149 3:16PM (10/24/2008)
so the cruz is delayed, the caddy and the buick are delayed, the malibu is delayed, hummer is on the block, the G8 and solstice are canceled, the GMT's are basically done...
has everyone just gone home? how do they expect to sell cars if they aren't going to release any... $40k volts won't fix GM, the cruz will though.
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TJ 3:21PM (10/24/2008)
cruz is delayed - for NA, not for global.
malibu is delayed, - WTF? puff puff pass.
G8 and solstice are canceled - G8 has a full 5yr lifespan planned, and only CAFE is killing it (for now). The Solstice/Sky/Speedster may migrate to the Alpha platform (if its still planned) rather than the Gamma they are presently on. Just because the platform is dying does not mean the vehicle is. Remember, the Coupe is hitting market soon also.
GMT's are basically done. - now I KNOW you are smoking something.
simianspeedster 4:08PM (10/24/2008)
Ahhh, TJ -- always good for a chuckle.
Do you really think the G8 is going to be killed off because of CAFE or might it have something to do with poor sales? The G8 may be a fine car, but it's the Pontiac brand that's keeping it from selling. Pontiac has no brand equity.
GM could have introduced the G8 as another brand, but the simple truth is that GM doesn't have a brand which is has the appeal, desirability and status of Mercedes, BMW or Lexus. Witha few more features (like Nav and a spruced up interior), the G8 could have been competitive as a $30-40K sports/luxury sedan, but GM has no brand for it.
You know you're in trouble when even good products don't sell because your brand is so badly damaged...
-SimianSpeedster
TJ 4:27PM (10/24/2008)
"might it have something to do with poor sales"
hence 'for now'.
Sales have 5 years to pick up. Brand image is not reclaimed overnight, and this vehicle can substantially improve that image over the course of the planned product run.
If not, let the ban-hammer fall.
simianspeedster 4:24PM (10/25/2008)
Pontiac, the brand, is likely beyond saving at this point. Why?
The G8 doesn't have nearly the broad based appeal that's necessary to make a dent (especially with it's typical, tired Pontiac styling cues) and GM doesn't have the money needed to reinvent Pontiac completely, which is the brand's ony hope. Combine this with terrible' brand confusing ideas like the G3 and you have a brand which is damaged beyond repair.
The G8 would have made a great Infiniti G37 competitor...if it weren't branded Pontiac.
-SimianSpeedster
Richard 3:30PM (10/24/2008)
They should bring the CTS coupe' forward now and shoot the Buick, actually shoot all of Buick asap.
Sorry if I have offended someone here, but I'll bet that there aren't too many old guys who always wear hats surfing this blog...they're out spending their grand kid's inheritance, driving around in their Buicks huntin' cougars.
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Jared 3:57PM (10/24/2008)
Buick doesn't sell very well here in the US, but it does in China, and China is the fastest growing auto market in the world.
The CTS coupe may be more to your taste (and mine), but luxury sport coupes are a niche market -- the sales numbers are small. They'll sell far more LaCrosse sedans than CTS coupes.
driverg 4:24PM (10/24/2008)
CTS Coupe - DEAD.
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John 4:35PM (10/24/2008)
It seems like there are a lot of introductions slated for the LA show this year from other manufacturers, but I haven't heard of much for Detroit. Might this be a ploy for lots of attention from the press at Detroit with fewer other new models rolling out there, hence more bang for the buck?
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