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GM Kills Cadillac CTS Coupe Launch

GM Kills Cadillac CTS Coupe Launch

By Colin Mathews's avatar Colin MathewsColin Mathews November 13th, 2008

2008 Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

2008 Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

Enlarge Photo

And if you didn't think GM was in real trouble...

The beleaguered automaker has just canceled the launch of its stunning Cadillac CTS Coupe at next week's LA Auto Show, according to the U.K.'s AutoCar. They say it's part of GM's radical new thinking on its future lineup, forced by its festering financial crisis. Two European models, a Saab and an Opel, will also be delayed as part of the cost-savings program.

Why would GM cancel the launch of a production-ready vehicle like the Cadillac CTS Coupe? Two words: low volume. In trimming the fat, GM is being forced to abandon luxuries and halo vehicles and instead spend its money on product that will allow it simply to survive. Summing up the new strategy was a GM source who commented to AutoCar: "it's must-haves versus nice-to-haves." Surely this means that the equally stunning CTS Wagon is also on hold for the time being.

This is unfortunate news, as the CTS Coupe was heralded by enthusiasts, pundits, and designers as a brilliantly conceived vehicle. They claim it shows GM is capable of creating breathtaking designs that compete with the finest from Mercedes and BMW, not just bloated Escalade trucks based on tarted-up Suburban chassis.

With the money it saves on niche vehicles like the CTS Coupe, GM plans to complete and launch higher-volume cars like the next Saturn Astra. This is an understanding strategy, and hopefully it will result in small, efficient cars with excellent interiors, fun-to-drive personalities, and impressive quality from nose to tail. Or will they spend the CTS Coupe money on, say, the next generation of the infamous GM broken chicken wing turn signal/cruise control multifunction lever? Fingers crossed it's the former...--Colin Mathews
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2009 Cadillac CTS Wagon

2009 Cadillac CTS Wagon

Enlarge Photo

2008 Cadillac CTS Coupe ConceptEnlarge PhotoAnd if you didn't think GM was in real trouble... The beleaguered automaker has just canceled the launch of its stunning Cadillac CTS Coupe at next week's LA Auto Show, according to the U.K.'s AutoCar. They say it's part of GM's radical new thinking on its future lineup, forced by its festering financial crisis. Two European models, a Saab and an Opel, will also be delayed as part of the cost-savings program. Why would GM cancel the launch of a production-ready vehicle like the Cadillac CTS Coupe? Two words: low volume. In trimming the fat, GM is being forced to abandon luxuries and halo vehicles and instead spend its money on product that will allow it simply to survive. Summing up the new strategy was a GM source who commented to AutoCar: "it's must-haves versus nice-to-haves." Surely this means that the equally stunning CTS Wagon is also on hold for the time being. This is unfortunate news, as the CTS Coupe was heralded by enthusiasts, pundits, and designers as a brilliantly conceived vehicle. They claim it shows GM is capable of creating breathtaking designs that compete with the finest from Mercedes and BMW, not just bloated Escalade trucks based on tarted-up Suburban chassis. With the money it saves on niche vehicles like the CTS Coupe, GM plans to complete and launch higher-volume cars like the next Saturn Astra. This is an understanding strategy, and hopefully it will result in small, efficient cars with excellent interiors, fun-to-drive personalities, and impressive quality from nose to tail. Or will they spend the CTS Coupe money on, say, the next generation of the infamous GM broken chicken wing turn signal/cruise control multifunction lever? Fingers crossed it's the former...--Colin Mathews --- Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius. 2009 Cadillac CTS WagonEnlarge Photo

Tags: North America, Industry, Styling, Los Angeles Auto Show, General Motors, Cars We Love

Posted in: 2009, Cadillac, Sedans, Wagons, Luxury, Concept Cars, CTS



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Responses (8 total)

  1. By Cyrus EM #1, Posted: 11/14/2008

    This is yet another dum move from GM, killing a good car that it needs in its show room. The design is done, and the car is competitive. GM needs every sale it can get. Low volume is better than no volume. It should be pushing this one through the door. There is no way for Cadillac to become a true luxury competitor without this coupe. I understand delaying it but stopping it altogether... Might as well throw the keys under the door...

  2. By WS #2, Posted: 11/14/2008

    What?! GM is killing a stunning, production-ready Cadillac? What stupid reasoning...the only people that have money to buy cars right now are the ones that can afford a Cadillac! Can't anyone at GM remember to shake up their prescriptions in the morning?

  3. By JL #3, Posted: 11/15/2008

    They gave the go ahead for the hideous Pontiac sports truck and they kill this amazing German fighter?!?!?! I love the G8 but it’s not selling well so who says this fake El Camino will either? No wonder why they are in this predicament. You think they would have learned from the Chevy SSR! Talk about low volume.

  4. By Reece #4, Posted: 11/16/2008

    JL they are building the Sports truck in Australia it is already sold as a ute here so no extra tooling costs and it in fact increases the volume of production here for little extra money so makes a lot of sense financially for GM even if they sell only a couple of thousand.
    Anyway the Caddy looks hideous personally but sad they are going down this track the money's been sp[ent it is a deadweight loss to me not to produce and get some volume into the US factories. Tehn again they are the ones with financial data not us so maybe they know soemthing they are not telling us.

  5. By Dave #6, Posted: 11/17/2008

    I would not be surprised if the Camero is next on the chopping block.

  6. By JDK #7, Posted: 11/18/2008

    Well, that was dumb, GM. Here's an idea: ditch Pontiac, breathe some more life into Buick, and keep pushing Cadillac ahead. You just chopped your nose off to spite your face. The rear-drive GM platform is the most exciting thing going on at GM right now.
    Tell that to your accountants.

  7. By  KDL #8, Posted: 11/19/2008

    I would have to say that if GM does anything they should by all means take the risk and proceed with the launch. I am currently in the market for a new car and it was a toss up between the CTS 7 the MB CLass. I was starting to lean toward MB only becuase of GM's uncertain future and I didn't want to get stuck with a car I could get rid of. Nonetheless, I must say that had this car been released for 2009 or even 2010 I would have definetly purchsed it! Lastly, I would have to agree with JDK, get rid of Pontiac like you did Oldsmobile and that will save you a great dealof cash. Who even owns a Pontiac??

  8. By DH #9, Posted: 11/24/2008

    Instead of killing the CTS coupe, arguably GM's best design in decades. They should instead discontinue the Pontiac and Buick product lines. I would also cut losses with the failed Swedish experiment called Saab. I agree that the focus must be on higher volume cars but low volume higher margin is not a badf thing. They need a halo vehicle to get people in the showrroom again and Chevy Aveo is not that car!

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