...it's the Cadillac XLR:

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101909

GM is having difficulty selling it's low-volume, high performance "halo" cars. The only exception is the Vette.

 

Cadillac is trying to compete with BMW and M-B, and its not working. BMW appeals to me, I had a 325 not too long ago, but Cadillac still has that old, stodgy image to me. Maybe its the styling, maybe its the fact that most of the people you see driving them are 60+. I'm not sure, but I wouldn't even consider one, but I would consider a BMW or M-B in a heartbeat.

With so many missteps at GM, I think the board has to re-think Mr. Lutz's position. He has pushed a lot of ideas through, that probably should never have left the drawing board. When you can't sell X number of cars on a planned low production run, it means marketing didn't do their job finding out what the customer wanted, or they didn't advertise it enough to the right people. Either way, GM has lost its way, and Toyota is closing in fast.

 

It is different. The GTO design was a failure. The SSR has excellent design and features. It was the dealers that killed its enthusiasm. The XLR is on a more competitive upper end market. I give it excellent ratings on innovative design and performance.

 

I think the biggest problem Cadillac has is they are trying to compete with BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes, but cannot provide anything like the dealer/customer service experience that those companies can. And, GM does not seem to be doing much to remedy the situation. If you think guys on this forum are aggravated by poor dealer service when buying their Mustangs, imagine having the same experience while buying a 60k dollar car......exactly

It may not seem like that big a deal but these are customers who are absolutely used to having lips fastened to their hind-most orifice every time they go into a dealer. The average Caddy dealer is simply nowhere near providing this level of service, and for a brand that has something to prove it is inexcusable.

 

The GTO failure was due to it looking too "GM" generic. I disagree on the SSR. There never was alot of enthusiasm for it. Even highly discounted it isn't moving (at least the GTO sales went up when the big incentives hit). The XLR may be an innovative design but there are 31 TSBs for the '04 XLR. Things like inoperative retractable roofs, leaking differentials, and excessive oil consumption are on the list. In the high dollar market competing with M-B, BMW, and Lexus, that's a big image problem. I think that's one reason sales have dropped off after being hot the first year.

Regardless of the various reasons, GMs low production "halo" cars are failures. The numbers don't lie.

 

SSR has nothing bad looks and slow and heavy and all, and the GTO was just a rebadged junk. it is too heavy and underpowered for todays car market. IMO
That Caddy look slike a wannabe Honda S2000 IMO

 

Gotta disagree with you on one point. The GTO is indeed heavy but it's far from underpowered, especially the '05 with 400HP.

 

Cadillac looks to sporty. Cadillac is supposed to be luxury car which could compete against Lincoln. People always say that Lincoln is far behind Cadillac in cars, but I don't think Lincoln have problems selling LS and Town Car.

 

althous i do like this caddy. in fact, i like the chiseled (is that the right word there?) look of their newer cars. --BUT-- there is one caddy i cant stand anymore. that dern Escalade. it was cool, but im sick of it now

 

I like the ol' skool Caddys 55-80ish

 

You like the 'edge' on the cars? I think it could be a little softer. It reminds me of the GT-90 concept car....someone has a fetish for angles.

 

i think the new "edge" looks waaay beter than most older caddies. actually, dont hate me guys, i dont particularly like old caddies, its these new chiseled and angular ones i like.

 

Gotta disagree with you on one point. The GTO is indeed heavy but it's far from underpowered, especially the '05 with 400HP.
[/b][/quote]
I didnt no the 05 had that kinda power, i was thinking of the 04

 

No GM marketing "brainiacs" shot themselves in the foot with the GTO 04 to 05 crap!! I mean come on!! WHO is going to go out and get an 04 after they show what they have changed to the 05's with the better motors and "some" style" changes!!

As far as the XLR, I said it when I first saw it at the NYC car show 3 years ago, its a great looking car and im sure its nice, but why would I want to pay 20 grand more for a corvette in caddy badges? Its stupid.

 

Here's my theory: The '04s really weren't selling anyway. So, they basically gave up on the '04 MY and were hoping the HP bump and minor styling changes would help them meet sales for '05. I personally don't think 50 more HP isn't the cure for what ails the GTO. I think they're in for another round of heavy rebates to move the '05s. That's great for those that choose to buy them but not so good for GM.

 

hey Matt, What do you mean?

EDIT- I even confused myself in the previous post

 

HUH???? what the heck are you talking about? I wasnt even reponding to you, just making a n opionated statement about the marketing guys at GM and the GTO..

 

I was confused as to what you meant by your post?

 

The SSR is a dismal failure, it is underpowered, heavy and doesn't really fit anyone's tastes. GM could have easily spent that development money on something else. The fact that there is a 300day inventory is laughable.

The same goes for the GTO, it was rushed to the market and dealers tried to cash in on the cachet of a legendary name coming back and drove people away (besides the bland styling).

Lutz definitely failed on account of the GTO, he pushed that product, the same will probably be said for the soon to be rebate heavy HHR.

I personally think the XLR is a stunning car, but I would think that many who could afford it would probably be buying corvettes anyways, that's just my opinion.

 

it is a monaro with GTO badges, i have seen monaros and GTOs, not a difference. If i could afford that, i would have a 04 cobra with a turbo and a kenne bell minus the boost-a-pump