Is Cadillac coming to Australia ?

[Lees]

Does anyone know if Cadillac is still coming to Australia?

If so, when?

What models would people like to see sold in Australia?

Who thinks this will be a good thing or a bad thing?

[chevypower]

How can having more variety than Korean crap on the market be seen as a bad thing? Escalade, STS, XLR please

[myles]

Within 18 months say Holden.

Latest Go Auto News came out an hour or so ago.
http://mellor.carsales.com.au/mellor/enews.nsf/edition/$first

[myles]

Some quotes:

HOLDEN has confirmed that Cadillacs will be on our roads within 18 months.

GoAuto understands four models will initially be launched, among them the Commodore-size CTS sedan, the XLR coupe and BMW X5-fighting SRX four-wheel drive wagon.

Cadillac cars “would be priced well above Holdens” and not threaten prestige Australian-built cars such as Calais and Caprice.

Prices are expected to start around $70,000 to $80,000 for the CTS, $80,000 for the SRX and more than $150,000 for the XLR roadster.

[myles]

CTS link here (http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/models/gallery.jsp?model=cts)
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/cts/gallery/photoExt1_med.jpg
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/cts/gallery/photoExt8_med.jpg
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/cts/gallery/photoInt1_med.jpg

SRX link here (http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/models/gallery.jsp?model=srx#)
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/srx/gallery/photoExt2_med.jpg
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/srx/gallery/photoInt1_med.jpg
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/srx/gallery/photoInt4_med.jpg

XLR roadster link here (http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/models/gallery.jsp?model=xlr#)
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/xlr/gallery/photoExt1_med.jpg
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/xlr/gallery/photoExt3_med.jpg
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/xlr/gallery/photoInt1_med.jpg
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/xlr/gallery/photoExt4_med.jpg

[LSX-438]

i dont think these cars are going to work here, they are essentially asking for Euro prices; the quality isnt too bad but people just arent going to pay premium beemer prices (say 330/530) for these vehicles. They will sell maybe 25 a month is my prediction.

[Patrick]

CTS link here (http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/models/gallery.jsp?model=cts)
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/cts/gallery/photoExt1_med.jpg
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/cts/gallery/photoExt8_med.jpg
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/cts/gallery/photoInt1_med.jpg

SRX link here (http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/models/gallery.jsp?model=srx#)
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/srx/gallery/photoExt2_med.jpg
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/srx/gallery/photoInt1_med.jpg
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/srx/gallery/photoInt4_med.jpg

XLR roadster link here (http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/models/gallery.jsp?model=xlr#)
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/xlr/gallery/photoExt1_med.jpg
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/xlr/gallery/photoExt3_med.jpg
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/xlr/gallery/photoInt1_med.jpg
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/xlr/gallery/photoExt4_med.jpg

IMO these new generation Cadillacs look great and should be interesting to see how the Australian consumer accepts them.

Certainly some of these Cadillacs are gunning after some Mercedes and BMW models.

[Smitty]

IMO these new generation Cadillacs look great and should be interesting to see how the Australian consumer accepts them.

Certainly some of these Cadillacs are gunning after some Mercedes and BMW models.

imo
ugly as sin.....bloody horrible, like sumfing R2D2 would design
the brand might be acceptable here in Oz, but the styling.....?
shheeesh blah, f'ugly :mad:

[Lees]

imo
ugly as sin.....bloody horrible, like sumfing R2D2 would design
the brand might be acceptable here in Oz, but the styling.....?
shheeesh blah, f'ugly :mad:

What's wrong with the styling?
I also think they look great, especially the little roadster, would love one of those. :cool:

The black CTS caught in Melbourne last week looks real
lux-o-barge nice as well. :cool:

[SCiFiRE]

i hated them at first,
but the CTS and CTS-V that Ive seen in the metal changed my mind.
They look tough as all hell, like they have been chiseled out of solid rock.

interiors however are another story
and i still hate the XLR, even after seeing it in the flesh...

[Smitty]

What's wrong with the styling?
too square and too many straight lines ....its a box on wheels
and imo..this does not portray a vehicle with class.
look at what Daimler Benz BMW and some of the other european brands
(Peugot etc) are doing with their styling..smooth curvy lines
(check their websites for the latest)

If Holden put the Caddy up against the Europeans(which is what I think they wanna do), then they will force the purchaser to make a styling choice
and this also applies to the interior.

I might be wrong, but I don't think MBenz BMW et al have much to worry
about in the Cadillac...

oh and I might be wrong too...... :lol:

cheers

[Merlin]

i hated them at first,
but the CTS and CTS-V that Ive seen in the metal changed my mind.
They look tough as all hell, like they have been chiseled out of solid rock.
...

i agree - i love the look of the CTS - was that the one in the highway chase in one of the matrix movies?

[Lees]

too square and too many straight lines ....its a box on wheels
and imo..this does not portray a vehicle with class.
look at what Daimler Benz BMW and some of the other european brands
(Peugot etc) are doing with their styling..smooth curvy lines
(check their websites for the latest)

If Holden put the Caddy up against the Europeans(which is what I think they wanna do), then they will force the purchaser to make a styling choice
and this also applies to the interior.

I might be wrong, but I don't think MBenz BMW et al have much to worry
about in the Cadillac...

oh and I might be wrong too...... :lol:

cheers

If every car on the market had the same styling theme, it would be boring, don't you think people would want something a bit different?
I think once you see them in the flesh on our roads, they will stand-out and look appealing.

[Marco]

I think the styling of the models in the pics above is well ahead of anything BMW's done lately. Don't start me on Merc styling - the cars have looked just about the same for 30 years.

Is there a market for them? Tricky. Mention Cadillac to people and the image that tends to come to mind is big, ugly land barges from the 70s. But with the right sort of marketing that makes it clear these cars are as modern and as good to drive as anything from Europe (or at least, gives that impression) and they could be on to something.

[RICHO]

Agree Marco...

The biggest problem will be that people know cadillac = GM and they know that Holden = GM. So it's a big ask to convince people to pay an extra $20-$30,000 minimum for a car with no additional features or performance from that offered by (and I'm talking VE here) a calais for example. Especially if they sell them through Holden dealers.

BMW, Merc and Audi etc are "perceived" to be luxury cars and can command a rediculous premium because of it.

[Patrick]

Agree Marco...

The biggest problem will be that people know cadillac = GM and they know that Holden = GM. So it's a big ask to convince people to pay an extra $20-$30,000 minimum for a car with no additional features or performance from that offered by (and I'm talking VE here) a calais for example. Especially if they sell them through Holden dealers.

BMW, Merc and Audi etc are "perceived" to be luxury cars and can command a rediculous premium because of it.

Denny Mooney confirmed in the Go-Auto news this week that:-

"Cadillac would be sold through select stand-alone dealerships, rather than in Holden showrooms, and that substantial investment - from the dealers, with possible assistance from Holden - would be required at these retail sites to ensure facilities were at BMW or Mercedes-Benz standards"

IMO Holden should also look at the model used by Toyota with the Lexus dealerships, they are very successful and have hand picked selected dealers in all major cities through-out Australia.

[Evil LS1]

You guys are kidding. If ford produced a car as butt ugly as that Crapillac, you would be givin them heaps. They are Daewoo and Lanos ugly. Keep that crap off our roads; it's hard enough sharing them with Camry's :spew:

[Smitty]

You guys are kidding. If ford produced a car as butt ugly as that Crapillac, you would be givin them heaps. They are Daewoo and Lanos ugly. Keep that crap off our roads; it's hard enough sharing them with Camry's :spew:

hmmm
someone else no likee the styling either :lol:

[myles]

If it's in 18 months, we'd have to be talking about the V-series, new series launched and releasing three models.Take a look at www.cadillac.com and click on V-series.

There are better pictures around, found these from various articles...

The CTS-V will have a 5.7L V8 LS6 engine with 400hp at 6000rpm (0-60mph in 4.6 seconds).

http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/ctsv/gallery/photoExt5_med.jpg
http://www.cadillac.com/images/models/ctsv/gallery/photoExt3_med.jpg

The STS-V will have supercharged 4.4L Northstar V8 SC engine with 440hp at 6400rpm (0-60 in under 5 seconds).

The XLR-V will have supercharged 4.4L Northstar V8 SC engine with a positive displacement intercooled supercharger at 440hp at 6400rpm (0-60 in under 5 seconds).
http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/image/0323200521090057.jpg
http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/merismus/gallery/c454176a.jpg
http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/merismus/gallery/c454231a.jpg
http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/image/482005124910.jpg
http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/merismus/gallery/c454374a.jpg
http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/merismus/gallery/c454378a.jpg
The site says the CTS-V at the SCAA World Challenge GT (where only production based vehicles can compete) had three wins, four poles, and five podium finishes in its first season.

[SCiFiRE]

Merlin - Yeah that was the CTS. They had a silver one at work but that dissappeared. (it wasnt the matrix one, the movie came out before it was gone). Now they have a Black CTS-V which looks crazy.



anyone looking for more confirmation that Cadillac is coming, go for a drive to port melbourne past Holdens new HQ. There are 4 signs in the windows. one is GM, one is Saab, one is Holden and one is Cadillac.

[myles]

I have to admit their marketing is slick for the V-series. Illustrates the new V-series and their speed as a 'bullet being shot from a loaded gun'.

Hey, but I don't mind hearing a car ad with Led Zeppelin. :)

[BA$TAD]

gotta admit the XLR-V doesn't look too bad. even better on the road me thinks. The rest of the range looks like they had an accident with the ugly truck.

[Frankster_P]

Looks wont be a problem its brand image.

german, german and more german is what sells these days in the luxury sector unfortunately

[myles]

This is the Barrels commercial for the V-Series.

V-Series (Barrel commercial)
http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/models/video.jsp?model=ctsv&video=1&size=t1

And non V-Series XLR commercial. (That could never air here, that's promoting street racing!! ;) )
http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/models/video.jsp?model=xlr&video=1&size=t1

[Lees]

german, german and more german is what sells these days in the luxury sector unfortunately


Really?

I didn't know Lexus was German. :lol: :lol: :lol:


P.S. Nor Jaguar, Saab or Volvo for that matter :bash:

[Frankster_P]

Are they as big sellers as the krauts?

dun think so.

[Marco]

Nope, and that's why Lexus, Saab, Jaguar and Volvo aren't doing all that well in terms of sales lately.

(Saab and Volvo aren't really competing in the same market as BMW/Benz anyway).

[jbernie]

What's wrong with the styling?
I also think they look great, especially the little roadster, would love one of those. :cool:

Little roadster!?!? hehe.. it is the same platform as the Corvette which is fractinally shorter than a 911. It isnt that small :).

Living over here in the US i get to see enough Caddies, the styling grows on you over time, going with a seperate dealership is wise when Holden is trying to compete with BMW/MB/etc. The XLR goes up against the Lexus 2 door hardtop convertible and the sl500 from Mercedes and even the American press who can be harsh on the US brands set it just below the sl500. Not bad for a first effort from Cadillac against a car with a lot of heritage.

The nice thing about Cadillac is that you wont have to sell alot to make alot, nicer margins at the higher prices.

Of course if the VE raises the bar significantly then it could be interesting. The BTS sedan can go up against the 1 series BMW and the A3 Audi's etc.

Holden/GM could use something more up market in Aust, but at the ame time, they better get the cars spec'ed out right the first time.

James

[hsv423]

sooooo....
does this mean the VE will look something like this..have the same engines ect?..it looks fairly horny, cept for the headlights :D
be intresting to compare the MOTOR pics and these....same with all the other spy pics....

[Lees]

Little roadster!?!? hehe.. it is the same platform as the Corvette which is fractinally shorter than a 911. It isnt that small :).

Living over here in the US i get to see enough Caddies, the styling grows on you over time, going with a seperate dealership is wise when Holden is trying to compete with BMW/MB/etc. The XLR goes up against the Lexus 2 door hardtop convertible and the sl500 from Mercedes and even the American press who can be harsh on the US brands set it just below the sl500. Not bad for a first effort from Cadillac against a car with a lot of heritage.

The nice thing about Cadillac is that you wont have to sell alot to make alot, nicer margins at the higher prices.

Of course if the VE raises the bar significantly then it could be interesting. The BTS sedan can go up against the 1 series BMW and the A3 Audi's etc.

Holden/GM could use something more up market in Aust, but at the ame time, they better get the cars spec'ed out right the first time.

James


OK, roadster then, it just looks little that's all.

But it sure looks sexy, I want one. :cool:

[Joker^]

ill be picking up a CTS-V if they ever get here

[Smitty]

sooooo....
does this mean the VE will look something like this..

I sincerely hope not..coz if VE does look like these Holden will have an 'AU' like disaster..I really don't believe the public will take to these designs...

[jbernie]

I can gurantee you one thing with the Caddie Art & Science designs, you can't mistake it for anything else on the road. no chance of a "is it a mercees or a hyundi coming at me?". :).. nothing like dropping a cool few hundred k's on a merc and seeing a $30k or so car get confused with yours.

A US$50k EXT (pick up) without the stock rims can be delivered to my drive way any time... along with an XLR-V for some relaxing touring :)

James

[Smitty]

gotta admit the XLR-V doesn't look too bad. even better on the road me thinks. The rest of the range looks like they had an accident with the ugly truck.

thanks to Myles for the updated piccies
all i can say is..my opinion is reinforced by them photos
it an ugly range of motor vehicle..and I DO NOT care if the yanks luv 'em :lol:
they can have 'em...

and one verrrry curious question??
I wonder if our 'Holden' Design crew are reading this thread
and whether they have any comment
(yeah i know wrong area..but dont wanna post all this again...)

cheers

[Lees]

I can gurantee you one thing with the Caddie Art & Science designs, you can't mistake it for anything else on the road. no chance of a "is it a mercees or a hyundi coming at me?". :).. nothing like dropping a cool few hundred k's on a merc and seeing a $30k or so car get confused with yours.

A US$50k EXT (pick up) without the stock rims can be delivered to my drive way any time... along with an XLR-V for some relaxing touring :)

James

Stop it mate, your making me impatient, now I can't wait 'til they arrive.

I agree that you will not mistake one when you see it on the road and that alone is the price of admission for me.
Can't stand the "me too" styling thats around at the moment, it shiit.

They will stand out and have good stance on the road. :cool:

[Patrick]

and one verrrry curious question??
I wonder if our 'Holden' Design crew are reading this thread
and whether they have any comment
(yeah i know wrong area..but dont wanna post all this again...)

cheers

Yeah good point. Would be good feedback for Holden.

[V-Car]

i agree - i love the look of the CTS - was that the one in the highway chase in one of the matrix movies?

Thats correct Merlin, Cadillac provided 24 pre-production 2003 prototype vehicles for the Matrix Reloaded...14 CTS and 10 Escalade EXT.

[GEN III]

Maroon Cadillac CTS-V spotted in Port Melbourne right hand drive test vechicle.
Are we going to see GM Australia bring the V8’s back? I could take photos but will probably loose my job but it’s nothing you can’t already see on doing a google search.
Off to Lang Lang today maybe?

[whitels1ss]

5692

Great thread digging! :goodjob:

[Inter State Man]

I like 'em

wait for the look-a-likes to emerge ….