Cadillac to return to the UK
Discussion
I don't know if this topic has arisen recently and the word "Return" is a bit misleading as although they've tried it's never really happened for Cadillac in the UK.
I wonder if it'll be different this time.
For me they need to get the right product line up.
It would have to involve very economical diesel engines coupled with cars that are well kitted out and at a price well below the competition.
As an example, a diesel Escalade at £45,000 would have a good number of customers I'd say though, it would have to have a lease option below £400 a month and would soon be fairly widespread, I don't know if that price point is realistically achievable whilst still allowing a profit.
What do others think?
I wonder if it'll be different this time.
For me they need to get the right product line up.
It would have to involve very economical diesel engines coupled with cars that are well kitted out and at a price well below the competition.
As an example, a diesel Escalade at £45,000 would have a good number of customers I'd say though, it would have to have a lease option below £400 a month and would soon be fairly widespread, I don't know if that price point is realistically achievable whilst still allowing a profit.
What do others think?
How did Lexus manage it back in the early 90s? Did they just use the whole reliability shtick?
I remember the original LS420 being a complete rip off of the W126 Mercedes, even down to the car's dimensions.
I think Cadillac should go the whole 'dare to be different, American muscle' route. They are great looking cars imo.
I remember the original LS420 being a complete rip off of the W126 Mercedes, even down to the car's dimensions.
I think Cadillac should go the whole 'dare to be different, American muscle' route. They are great looking cars imo.
The thing is that the market for that type of car barely exists (American muscle car)
To realistically make any inroads into the UK market they have to offer what the market want's and in my opinion it is;
RHD
SUV mid or full size. Diesel
A premium small saloon (3 series rival) diesel.
A network of dealers with stock.
Low lease prices.
With the above they would stand a chance but if they just dabble with the odd variant it'll be the same as previous I think.
"No thanks Cadillac, i'll stick to my Merc, BMW, Audi or Range Rover"
To realistically make any inroads into the UK market they have to offer what the market want's and in my opinion it is;
RHD
SUV mid or full size. Diesel
A premium small saloon (3 series rival) diesel.
A network of dealers with stock.
Low lease prices.
With the above they would stand a chance but if they just dabble with the odd variant it'll be the same as previous I think.
"No thanks Cadillac, i'll stick to my Merc, BMW, Audi or Range Rover"
Claudia Skies said:
Almost certainly the cars would have a better chance if branded as Saab - a name which GM could probably buy back for £2.95 on ebay.
The probably couldn't, as there are a few people trying to do so but I think the current price tag is something like a €10bn 10 year investment plan which might actually work.
Thankyou4calling said:
As an example, a diesel Escalade at £45,000 would have a good number of customers I'd say though, it would have to have a lease option below £400 a month and would soon be fairly widespread,
What do others think?
I think parking spaces would have to be made bigger!What do others think?
daveco said:
How did Lexus manage it back in the early 90s? Did they just use the whole reliability shtick?
I remember the original LS420 being a complete rip off of the W126 Mercedes, even down to the car's dimensions.
One of my neighbours swapped from Mercedes to Lexus years ago as he was fed up with re-buying all the options every 3 years. Lexus had everything fitted as standard. But the specs are probably much more similar these days.I remember the original LS420 being a complete rip off of the W126 Mercedes, even down to the car's dimensions.
The Crack Fox said:
ETA, see also Chevrolet and Infiniti, marques with big backing in the US that have no idea about creating a car with appeal for the UK and tiny sales.
At least some US brands have realised there is no market for their name here.Chevrolet: http://www.chevrolet.co.uk/owners-area/important-c...
Chrysler: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/news/147783/chrysler-axe...
I've just had a quick peek at the cadillac website.
The CTS looks fantastic but, the entry level option is a 2 litre petrol turbo, it claims 20 MPG in the city and 30 on the highway. I don't know how that equates to the UK MPG tests but for arguements sake lets say it acheives 25 MPG overall.
Straight away that is more than twice the fuel consumption of a Merc c class entry level.
That needs to be addressed to have a chance as in the UK economy is a MASSIVE selling point to most people.
The CTS looks fantastic but, the entry level option is a 2 litre petrol turbo, it claims 20 MPG in the city and 30 on the highway. I don't know how that equates to the UK MPG tests but for arguements sake lets say it acheives 25 MPG overall.
Straight away that is more than twice the fuel consumption of a Merc c class entry level.
That needs to be addressed to have a chance as in the UK economy is a MASSIVE selling point to most people.
I think Lexus worked because Toyota already had experience of selling to a global market. Cadillac is too focussed on America, as Jay Leno's father said Cadillac is the Rolls Royce of automobiles, and the average age of a Cadillac owner is over 70 (or something). Can't see anyone but eccentrics buying one in the UK.
Sheepshanks said:
Unless there are other RHD markets they're going address at the same time, it's really hard to imagine that it makes any business sense at all to sell yank cars hers.
India is supposed to be buying more and more premium cars, so maybe. I can't see a major impact in Australia, Japan and South Africa etc. Especially since it's fashionable in Japan to have a left hand drive car, I've heardRobinBanks said:
Chrysler have done reasonably well on and off here over the last 20 years. The Voyager sold well at times and so did the first generation 300C.
There also used to be quite a few Neons around.
Ahem, http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/chrysle...There also used to be quite a few Neons around.
Not so good now.
Unless Cadillac get serious about RHD and engineering the cars properly for the European market they can forget it.
Unless they are sold at Vauxhall prices and discounts, I can't see this working at all.
Few and far between will be the Business Development Managers who'd rather one of these than a 320d, A4 or XE.
Lexus and Volvo don't sell many cars here, and their quality and brand are a long way in front of Cadillac's.
Escalade could do ok with neighbours you wouldn't want if they can bosh them out for £399 a month.
Few and far between will be the Business Development Managers who'd rather one of these than a 320d, A4 or XE.
Lexus and Volvo don't sell many cars here, and their quality and brand are a long way in front of Cadillac's.
Escalade could do ok with neighbours you wouldn't want if they can bosh them out for £399 a month.
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