Autoblog

Akerson says GM will build Cadillac models outside North America by end of 2012

Zach Bowman — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Cadillac, GM, Luxury

2008 Cadillac BLS - Click above for high-res image gallery

Automotive News is reporting that General Motors will begin to manufacture Cadillac vehicles outside of North America by the end of next year. Dan Akerson, GM CEO, says the move is part of an overall strategy to make the Wreath and Crest a truly global brand. Right now, Cadillac vehicles are manufactured only in U.S. and Mexican facilities, despite the fact that the models are sold all over the world. Expanding production outside of those two countries would help protect Cadillac from currency fluctuations and help the company better manage its supply chain, Akerson said.

As of right now, there's no indication as to where the new plants will be located, but we wouldn't be shocked if it turned out to be China.

Akerson also said that GM wants to make Cadillac the company's global luxury brand just as Chevrolet is its current global value brand. The General hopes that doing so will allow the automaker to emulate the success that Toyota has had with Lexus.

Cadillac has experimented with production outside of North America in the past with lackluster results. The unloved Saab 9-3 -based BLS sedan and wagon (above) was produced in Sweden from 2005-2009 and Russia from 2009-2010.

Akerson says GM will build Cadillac models outside North America by end of 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM forced Saab to pay for Cadillac BLS development

Zach Bowman — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Plants/Manufacturing, Cadillac, GM, Saab, Earnings/Financials, Luxury

Way back in 2005, General Motors decided it needed a small four-door sedan in order for Cadillac to compete in Europe. The end result? The Cadillac BLS. The car was little more than seriously restyled Saab 9-3 (itself an already aging model), and since most Europeans are neither blind nor ignorant, the car didn't fare well in a market loaded with goods from the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. It was scrapped after a mere four years of production.

As usual, there's a little more to the story than that. According to Ny Teknik, GM stuck Saab with the cost of reworking the 9-3 into a Cadillac to the tune of around $140 million after the model tanked. The site quotes Jan-Åke Jonsson, the managing director of Saab, as saying that being out from under GM control will have its advantages. Yeah, we can see how he might feel that way. Top tip, Tom!

[Source: Ny Teknik via Saabs United]

Report: GM forced Saab to pay for Cadillac BLS development originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Apr 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Slow-selling Europe-only Cadillac BLS euthanized

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:23:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Cadillac

In a move that can only be described as "What took so long?" Autotelegraaf reports that Cadillac has pulled the plug on its BLS. The BLS, of course, was the front-wheel drive smaller Cadillac that was only offered for sale in Europe. We say "offered" because sales of the BLS made the old Cimarron look like a home run by comparison. The BLS was little more than a re-bodied Saab 9-3 in either sedan or wagon form, and it was built alongside the aformentioned Swede in Trollhättan. Cadillac spokesman Klaus-Peter Martin has confirmed with us that production actually quietly ended in June.

The BLS never came close to hitting GM's 10,000 unit per year sales target and with the parent company divesting itself of Saab, it only makes sense to kill off the model. While dropping the BLS, General Motors is adding its CTS Sportwagon which is expected to help boost CTS sales in estate-happy Europe, as will a 2.9-liter V6 diesel engine option.

Later next year, the lower end of Cadillac's lineup is expected to be filled out with a new rear-wheel drive ATS which will hopefully prove to be a much more viable competitor.

Gallery: 2008 Cadillac BLS wagon

[Source: Autotelegraaf.nl]

REPORT: Slow-selling Europe-only Cadillac BLS euthanized originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Cadillac to base new sub-CTS on front-drive Epsilon II platform

Noah Joseph — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac

2008 Cadillac BLS Wagon - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Just a year ago, the future of Cadillac's line-up looked pretty bright. By 2010, the CTS would spawn coupe and wagon versions, the "super-Theta" platform SRX would replace its Sigma-based predecessor, the Escalade would get a Lambda-based replacement and the Converj would come to market. Cadillac was also tipped to launch a new small sedan to slot in below the CTS using the new rear-drive Alpha platform, plus a new larger sedan to replace the aging DTS and STS models. However while the CTS derivatives, the new SRX, Escalade and Converj are all still in the works, drastic cutbacks at GM have meant the Alpha and DTS/STS successor have been canned. In their place, the next-gen. CTS is expected to grow larger, while a new front/all-wheel-drive sports sedan is now tipped to enter into the mix.

In order to make the Alpha compact rear-drive platform feasible, GM would have needed to spread development costs across several of its divisions, but many of those brands - chiefly Pontiac and Saturn - are now facing the axe, while its European assets Saab and Opel are on their way out the door. So what is a downsized GM planning for Cadillac instead? Using the next-generation Epsilon II platform, the replacement for the European-market BLS is tipped to come home to roost, positioned between the new Buick LaCrosse and the Cadillac CTS. With its advanced turbo-diesel programs also on hold, the General realizes it lacks the resources to produce a serious contender for the European market, so expect a decidedly more American approach when the new small Caddy hits the market late in 2011 as a 2012 model with a price tag of around $35,000.

[Source: Motor Trend]

REPORT: Cadillac to base new sub-CTS on front-drive Epsilon II platform originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Cadillac gets green light for smaller, RWD sedan

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Cadillac, Rumormill

Despite being priced to compete with the smaller BMW 3 Series sedan, the Cadillac CTS is as large as the German marque's 5 Series. Similarly, the STS competes with the 5 Series in pricing but matches the top-level 7 Series in size. Rumors of a smaller Caddy to zig alongside the benchmark 3 Series in size have been running rampant for over a year and now we hear the sedan may have finally been green-lighted. Expect the new entry-level Cadillac to be built atop GM's upcoming rear-wheel-drive Alpha platform. We have had nothing but good things to say about the latest Cadillac CTS, so we naturally have high hopes for the new, smaller Caddy sedan, which could also sprout a coupe and a convertible. To this point, GM has never quite hit the sweet spot with the premium division's smallest offering in Europe, the Saab 9-3-based BLS, and we are anxious to see how the new Alpha Dog can compete. Thanks for the tip, Rob!

[Source: Motor Trend]

REPORT: Cadillac gets green light for smaller, RWD sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: CTS Wagon to show at Detroit, CTS coupe to follow

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:41:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, Cadillac

In Europe, Cadillac hasn't been moving the new CTS in the kind of numbers it wanted, and the BLS has always been somewhat of a disappointment. On account of this, Cadillac is once again being said to seriously consider broadening the CTS range to include a coupe and wagon, the better to compete with its German rivals in Europe. Word is that the CTS wagon could bow at Detroit in January, with a CTS coupe coming some time after that. While rumors of a CTS Wagon and Coupe have been around for at least a year, additional European demand for such models could sway the General into giving these cars the green light.

We can't say it strongly enough: Cadillac, do it. And in case that still wasn't enough: we double dog dare you. Cadillac wants its new CTS to swipe buyers from both BMW and Mercedes. Sure, the CTS is COTY, but -- and with all due respect to Motor Trend -- no one buys a 3-Series or C-Class because it wins COTY. The fact that Cadillac doesn't want to offend its core buyers attract new, trendy import buyers with a single four-door sedan is a challenge that we have yet to see anyone overcome. And certainly not a challenger starting from Cadillac's perceived image.

If Cadillac really wants to show the coastal metropolitan crowd that it's serious, it needs to offer more than one great choice of car. A coupe, a wagon, and throw a diesel in, as well... those are great places to start.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Rendered Speculation: CTS Wagon to show at Detroit, CTS coupe to follow originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alpha RWD platform set to invade GM lineup

John Neff — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:04:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Pontiac

Citing suppliers and loose-lipped employees of General Motors as its source, Inside Line has learned that the rear-wheel drive Alpha platform will be making a big splash in the automaker's product portfolio soon. The Alpha will reportedly underpin a successor to the Pontiac G6 set to arrive in late 2010. Such a vehicle would do much to enhance Pontiac's unsubstaniated claim to build excitement, and would also augment the upcoming Zeta-based, rear-wheel-drive G8 sedan nicely. After that, the Alpha will take up residence beneath the next-generation Cadillac BLS sedan that's currently sold only in Europe. Once it makes the switch, IL expects the BLS to cross the Atlantic and slot in below the CTS in Cadillac's North American lineup. Next up would be a new rear-wheel-drive Alpha-based sedan for Saturn that would be positioned below the front-wheel drive Aura and above the Astra.

The Alpha infusion would occur in GM's lineup just as the aged front-wheel-drive W-body platform is phased out and replaced by the Epsilon II platform. The W-based Buick LaCrosse will make way for an Epsilon II successor that revives the Regal name, while the next-gen Malibu and Aura will move over to the new platform, as well. The Malibu may also be offered in a long-wheelbase version to appease current Impala customers who will still need a large, front-wheel-drive sedan once that car jumps to the rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform.

Regardless of whether any of these plans actually happen (nothing's written in stone in this business), it's clear that GM's push to globalize its platforms is on track.

[Source: Inside Line]

Alpha RWD platform set to invade GM lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab confirms 9-4X CUV to replace 9-7X SUV

John Neff — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 18:55:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, SUV, Crossover, Saab

Saab U.S.A.'s General Manager Jay Spenchian told Ward's Auto that a Saab CUV, reported by nearly all members of the press to be called the 9-4X, will replace the Chevy Trailblazer-based 9-7X SUV after the end of the decade. The Trailblazer is expected to be discontinued by 2010 and Spenchian said that the introduction of a Saab CUV would likely overlap a bit with the 9-7X.

Spenchian, however, wouldn't reveal what platform on which the Saab CUV would ride. Ward's reports that the new CUV could be built on the same platform as an upcoming Cadillac CUV destined only for the European market. Dubbed the BLX, this Caddy CUV would be built at Saab's Trollhattan plant that currently can't keep workers busy building only the Saab 9-3 and Cadillac BLS sedans. Such a move would move production of Saab's new people hauler back to Sweden from its current point of production, Moraine, Ohio, where the Chevy Trailblazer is built.

The Saab 9-4X will be priced right on top of the 9-3, which ranges from $25,570 to $43,320, and will be sporting Saab's new design language previewed on the Aero X concept.

[Source: Ward's Auto]

Saab confirms 9-4X CUV to replace 9-7X SUV originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Aug 2006 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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