Wednesday 7th July 2004

Cadillac UK

Could we see Corvettes being sold in UK showrooms soon?

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Cadillac has confirmed that it is currently investigating possible scenarios for entering the UK market.  A new Netherlands-based "Cadillac Europe" operation was established on October 1st, 2003 to distribute General Motors’ Cadillac products throughout Europe.

Initial developments centred on key markets in mainland Europe but the Cadillac Europe management has also been carrying out research in the UK and expects to announce its plans for the market within the next few months.

The company is in discussion with various potential sales and distribution partners in the UK, although no decision has been made at this stage.

Products which could initially be available for the UK would be the right hand drive Cadillac CTS saloon (already produced in RHD for the Japanese market), plus three left-hand drive models: the XLR luxury roadster, the all-new SRX crossover model and the Corvette.

[Dan]

This has been tried before, about 10 years ago.

It flopped cos the Greedy Barstewards, doubled the US price, and didn't bother making RHD cars for the addtional cost.

It'll fail again.

Oh and the Caddy was crap.

[vetteheadracer]

Dan said:

This has been tried before, about 10 years ago.

er...up until 31st Dec 2002 you could buy from about 12 authorised GM dealers in the UK selling both the Corvette and the Caddy.

They will make the same mistake again though of having these dealers piggy backed onto existing franchises. What they need is independent, enthusiastic, knowledge dealers. Not some spotty oik from the Vauxhall garage trying to sell them.
"It's got a big engine mister" is not going to shift many units out the door as they found last time!

[Colvette]

Indeed - my Y2K Corvette is UK supplied...

Mind you, I think I'd sooner buy abroad and have the hassle of importing etc than have to buy my next vette from a Vauxhall Dealer!

A Corvette is not a Vectra!

[Balmoral Green]

As it happens I saw a green Seville today, on a 'S' plate, its no BMW but is a bit of a used car bargain and has a certain appeal.

[te51cle]

It'll never work if they pick the same sales/marketing/dealership method that they used before. Maybe they should have used Saab dealers rather than Vauxhall ones - if you must sell it through a GM brand dealer at least they should do it through a premium brand rather than a bargain basement one !

There's nothing wrong with the Corvette other than its image here, they could sell well it it was done correctly. Lets remember though that GM is in the business of making money for its shareholders, it is only by coincidence that it sells cars to to this, so it makes sense for them to sell into mainland europe as it limits the investment in modifications that they'd have to make.