Cadillac to return to the UK
Discussion
Cadillacs are quite popular here in the UAE and are driven by the young to middle aged (the V series performance sedans and coupes being quite popular).
I have an SLS (built in China for only China and the Middle East) and love it. It is from 2007 but in build quality is, in my view, better than the W220 S600L that I had in the UK and not far off an LS400/LS430. .
I can't see a market for the Escalade back in the UK and can't see the global market for RHD V series cars being enough to warrant RHD investment.
However, agree with the above that if the market well-equipped cars with economical engines that look good, then quite a large international RHD market.
Marketing wise, they really need to crack the 'Yank cars are rubbish' perception that seems to linger on though.
Just wish they sold these:
I have an SLS (built in China for only China and the Middle East) and love it. It is from 2007 but in build quality is, in my view, better than the W220 S600L that I had in the UK and not far off an LS400/LS430. .
I can't see a market for the Escalade back in the UK and can't see the global market for RHD V series cars being enough to warrant RHD investment.
However, agree with the above that if the market well-equipped cars with economical engines that look good, then quite a large international RHD market.
Marketing wise, they really need to crack the 'Yank cars are rubbish' perception that seems to linger on though.
Just wish they sold these:
RobinBanks 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.
Chrysler announced last week that they are pulling out of the UK market due to insufficient volumes.There also used to be quite a few Neons around.
Caddy's previous efforts have been woeful. They imported the STS in the early 2000s; it held the record for the fastest depreciating car in the UK. No adjustment for the UK market, thirsty, handled like a boat, etc. Then they rebadged the Saab 93 as the BLS...that went well...there is quite simply no point in trying this again, it is doomed to fail.
XB70 said:
Marketing wise, they really need to crack the 'Yank cars are rubbish' perception that seems to linger on though.
[/img]
I don't think they ever will in the UK - We are just not willing to change our perceptions about anything.[/img]
Look at how long Lexus have been consistently putting out quality vehicles out for and yet you'll still find someone ready to bust out a partridge joke the second one is mentioned. They have a few minor recalls and everyone tuts, meanwhile BMW put out cars that can be stolen with a screwdriver and a laptoo and Mercedes quality has dropped off significantly and yet the sales keep on coming.
A great example IMO is the line up of Hyundai USA and Hyundai UK. In the states they are producing some interesting cars that are getting good reviews, but they don't bother bringing them to the UK because they know that they simply won't shift them because Hyundai have a reputation for banging out small, cheap cars in this country, a V8 luxury saloon or 300bhp V6 RWD sports car is unlikely to sell with a H on the front here.
Edited by 279 on Monday 23 March 16:26
279 said:
XB70 said:
Marketing wise, they really need to crack the 'Yank cars are rubbish' perception that seems to linger on though.
[/img]
I don't think they ever will in the UK - We are just not willing to change our perceptions about anything.[/img]
<snip>
UK thinks yank cars are rubbish, and they stuck a yank badge on a rubbish car as a response.
See also the Chrysler Ypsilon which might be a good car. But nobody will ever know because it's so ugly it blinds people that look directly at it.
The Voyager was the right product at the right time and sold quite well as someone else mentioned. So the UK will buy "good" american cars. IF they are offered.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/cadillac/escal...
So you have £93k to play with, who's first thought would be this?
So you have £93k to play with, who's first thought would be this?
They're not exactly lookers are they: cadillac europe range?
Swanny87 said:
LordGrover said:
They're not exactly lookers are they: cadillac europe range?
When you use the colour configuration tool, you can't read the text (bottom right) because of the lack of contrast with the floor in the background image. Not exactly great marketing...And one of the key features? Integrated brake lamp. Good to know.
The copywriting on that site is Village Fete level.
Thankyou4calling said:
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.
US gallons are different to UK, so for that add 20% to the US figureThe 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.
+ EU mpg figures are mostly utterly unachieveable, whereas US figures reflect what you'll get in the real world. + in my experience you can often better them
So for the CTS you'd get say 32mpg combined - I can't imagine the Merc being much better than that for the equivalent performance
Hey, you get an INTEGRATED BRAKE LAMP on the ATS Coupe. Count me in!
Seriously, if I wasn't fussed at all about the cost, I'd be interested in a Caddie, if only for the appeal of having something different. Some of their cars look pretty good in a brash sort of way, I think, and apparently aren't hopeless to drive. I think there would be potential interest in the brand among younger consumers who are likely to associate Cadillac with rappers and bling sh*t rather than wallowing whales out of gangster movies. But until they have a proper range of mainstream-acceptable cars that are competitive on price, economy and quality to put alongside that market image, they'll be wasting their time.
Seriously, if I wasn't fussed at all about the cost, I'd be interested in a Caddie, if only for the appeal of having something different. Some of their cars look pretty good in a brash sort of way, I think, and apparently aren't hopeless to drive. I think there would be potential interest in the brand among younger consumers who are likely to associate Cadillac with rappers and bling sh*t rather than wallowing whales out of gangster movies. But until they have a proper range of mainstream-acceptable cars that are competitive on price, economy and quality to put alongside that market image, they'll be wasting their time.
underphil said:
US gallons are different to UK, so for that add 20% to the US figure
+ EU mpg figures are mostly utterly unachieveable, whereas US figures reflect what you'll get in the real world. + in my experience you can often better them
So for the CTS you'd get say 32mpg combined - I can't imagine the Merc being much better than that for the equivalent performance
I think the US gallon being smaller would make it worse and although it's no easy to hit the claims 55 MPG overall in the Mercedes is easily acheivable. + EU mpg figures are mostly utterly unachieveable, whereas US figures reflect what you'll get in the real world. + in my experience you can often better them
So for the CTS you'd get say 32mpg combined - I can't imagine the Merc being much better than that for the equivalent performance
Always amazes me when US car companies think there's any point in trying to crack the UK market.
Cadillac have seriously upped their game. The regular ATS and CTS are good steers as far as daily drives go and certainly don't feel lacking compared to the equivalent BMWs. The new ATS-V and CTS-V look seriously promising too, I can see some german feathers being ruffled by them, and I'm genuinely interested in the latter. The previous CTSV was utterly brilliant, like an E92 M3, but more fun. They're not especially photogenic if the press shots are to be believed, but in the flesh I rather like them.
The Escalade is what it is. I don't think it's any more brash or offensive looking than the Range Rover really. They're a lovely place to spend time soaking up miles, well appointed, loaded with gadgets and tech, and more importantly they don't break all the time. I'm not bowled over by the styling, but I'd still buy one to waft around in comfort if I didn't have a truck.
Cadillac have seriously upped their game. The regular ATS and CTS are good steers as far as daily drives go and certainly don't feel lacking compared to the equivalent BMWs. The new ATS-V and CTS-V look seriously promising too, I can see some german feathers being ruffled by them, and I'm genuinely interested in the latter. The previous CTSV was utterly brilliant, like an E92 M3, but more fun. They're not especially photogenic if the press shots are to be believed, but in the flesh I rather like them.
The Escalade is what it is. I don't think it's any more brash or offensive looking than the Range Rover really. They're a lovely place to spend time soaking up miles, well appointed, loaded with gadgets and tech, and more importantly they don't break all the time. I'm not bowled over by the styling, but I'd still buy one to waft around in comfort if I didn't have a truck.
forzaminardi said:
I think there would be potential interest in the brand among younger consumers who are likely to associate Cadillac with rappers and bling sh*t....
That's obviously the demographic they're going for: http://www.cadillaceurope.com/experience_cadillac/...daniel1920 said:
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/cadillac/escal...
So you have £93k to play with, who's first thought would be this?
A mob boss. So you have £93k to play with, who's first thought would be this?
(Tony Soprano had one).
daniel1920 said:
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/cadillac/escal...
So you have £93k to play with, who's first thought would be this?
At £93,000 they won't sell any but in the US the platinum edition is $82,000 ( £54,000)So you have £93k to play with, who's first thought would be this?
Now if they bought them over here with a decent diesel engine in RHD and could get them to a customer for that price or better still £499 a month, I'd say they would outsell Range Rovers
The Crack Fox said:
Hands up - who genuinely would want to spend their own money on a Cadillac in blighty?
I would - the only thing that would temper my enthusiasm is the residuals issue.I rent a Cadillac in the USA every year and the current range is absolutely exceptional. They went from being crap to outstanding in one fell swoop with the new models. The ATS is IMHO a better car than the F30 3 Series and I'm a BMW owner and enormous BMW fan. They are really very good cars now.
I would absolutely snap up a bargain current model CTS if they came to the UK and the values bombed
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