Cadillac News: Spying: Cadillac CTS, Now On The Streets

[smk4565]

Well the 3-series has been on the Car & Driver 10 Best award list for 21 consecutive years. That is a pretty good run. I generalized when I said 30 years, BMW has been a benchmark for over 20 though, and Mercedes much longer than that. Mercedes invented the car after all. And the CTS is no longer going to be an entry level car, if they push it to mid-lux against the E-class and 5-series Cadillac better not bring another knife to a gun fight like with the STS.

[SAmadei]

So that means the Honda Accord is 5 years of "C&D 10 Best" better than the 3 series.

[smk4565]

So that means the Honda Accord is 5 years of "C&D 10 Best" better than the 3 series.

Well the Accord has been pretty much benchmark for midsize cars for almost 30 years, and a really strong seller. In the past 25-30 years, I'd say only the Camry has been as successful. The Taurus had a run from 1986-1996 when it sold pretty well, but no single model in the mid-size segment has had the success of Accord or Camry, and the Accord was always much better reviewed than the Camry was.

The 3-series is pretty much the Accord of the entry-lux segment. I'm sure GM in 2040 would like to look back over the previous 30 years and see the CTS in the top 3 in luxury sales every year, with 25 10 Best awards on the shelf to boot.

[Drew Dowdell]

Being on the "10 best" list of import humping magazines like Honda & Driver or BMW Trend tells me nothing of how good the car really is.

Honda & Driver had their 3-Series test car have catastrophic brake system failure to the point of nearly wrecking and gave it first place while complaining about the thickness of the steering wheel on the CTS.

[riviera74]

I do hope that the ATS AND the CTS are not just price-competitive with the 3 and the 5 series. Both need to be better than those BMWs just to get luxury buyers into them.

[G. David Felt]

I do hope that the ATS AND the CTS are not just price-competitive with the 3 and the 5 series. Both need to be better than those BMWs just to get luxury buyers into them.

I would have to say as a CTS owner, the pricing is competitive and the Quality is better than BMW. I compare my friends M3 to the V and I have to say I like what GM has built. I think his seats are too hard for a big guy like me and yet he thinks the seats in the V are too soft.

You will not be able to please everyone, but I do think GM hit the head with the CTS series and I believe they will continue to improve it.

[hyperv6]

The ATS and CTS both need to take that big step and not just be almost as good or as good in class, this time they need to be best in class in most general areas. Quality, Ergo, Handling, over all performance in comparible models and it needs to be better than just 6 months than the compitition.

GM is to the point they need to take charge and move ahead and lead. They are now dealing with a new platform, restructured rules in building cars and more development money than they ever had. This time they need to get it right.

The ATS and new CTS are the cars that will pave the way of trust to buyers who will pay more money for cars like the coming flag ship. You prove your worth and value with the lesser priced cars that people will take a chance on they will spend the kind of money on the higher priced models when they are ready.

If you can't win trust with a $35,000 ATS how and the hell do you expect someone to pony up close to $100,000 on a unproven Cadillac. People spending this kind of money or more want to know they are going to get their moneys worth and not somthing that will be on a used car lot for $25,000 in 2 years with price drop off of some of the past expensive Cadillacs.

[smk4565]

CTS has a lot of plastic in the interior, it still feels cheaper and not as well built as the German cars to me. As a GM car owner that has spent a lot on maintenence, I still question if a current CTS 10 years from now will hold up, or will power windows/mirrors break, leather crack and wear out, interior trim pieces come loose, engine mounts break, engine sensors go bad, air conditioning compressor break, etc.

Cadillac has to win people over time with rock solid build quality to keep people coming back. Cadillac for example offers 5 year roadside assistance, Mercedes is forever. Unlimited miles, years, and owners shows Mercedes has confidence in their product. Mercedes in Europe also offers a 30 year anti-corrosion warranty.

I think you need a flagship too. Infiniti has two strong cars with the G37 and M37/M56 yet where are they? No flagship or halo car, no status, no image.

[balthazar]

I disagree with the ideal that 'it MUST be the BESTEST EVR!!!'

This is stated over & over with each new upcoming generation, and all it does it set the stage for "See, it didn't make it, again". It's a lot of self-fufilling nonsense.

Too many of the criteria for buying Car A over Car B is subjective; ergonomics, seat comfort/support, etc etc.

In the same vein, performance stats, while certainly influential, are intangible to the buyer, IE: these cars are not raced heads-up.

Chasing the hardcore fan boys is futile in any arena, those are a strict minority demographic anyway.

No; be competitive with vehicle dynamics & amenities, stylistically modern (and unique if you can also) & quality-driven... the buyers will follow. The CTS has already proven that.

[PurdueGuy]

Mercedes invented the car after all.

When was the last time you bought a TV from Farnsworth Television and Radio Corporation? The person or company that invents something has little to do with who builds it well decades later. Sure Mercedes can brag about it, but it has zero relevance to their current products.

[smk4565]

Too many of the criteria for buying Car A over Car B is subjective; ergonomics, seat comfort/support, etc etc.

In the same vein, performance stats, while certainly influential, are intangible to the buyer, IE: these cars are not raced heads-up.

I agree with that, there are many factors that lead buyer one way or the other. Some might not care at all about performance, others might make that their main priorty. But I do think on luxury cars brand image matters. This is where Cadillac falls short and what they need to repair.

[Drew Dowdell]

CTS has a lot of plastic in the interior, it still feels cheaper and not as well built as the German cars to me. As a GM car owner that has spent a lot on maintenence, I still question if a current CTS 10 years from now will hold up, or will power windows/mirrors break, leather crack and wear out, interior trim pieces come loose, engine mounts break, engine sensors go bad, air conditioning compressor break, etc.

Cadillac has to win people over time with rock solid build quality to keep people coming back. Cadillac for example offers 5 year roadside assistance, Mercedes is forever. Unlimited miles, years, and owners shows Mercedes has confidence in their product. Mercedes in Europe also offers a 30 year anti-corrosion warranty.

I think you need a flagship too. Infiniti has two strong cars with the G37 and M37/M56 yet where are they? No flagship or halo car, no status, no image.

There are four kinds of Mercedes here in Europe.

1. Taxis

2. Sprinter work vans and variants

3. Former taxis now privately owned and beat to hell

4. The few and far between non-E-Class, non-C-Class cars that are privately owned.

The vast majority of Benzes, probably over 90%, both here in Cologne and in Paris fall into the first 3 categories.

[Drew Dowdell]

CTS has a lot of plastic in the interior, it still feels cheaper and not as well built as the German cars to me. As a GM car owner that has spent a lot on maintenence, I still question if a current CTS 10 years from now will hold up, or will power windows/mirrors break, leather crack and wear out, interior trim pieces come loose, engine mounts break, engine sensors go bad, air conditioning compressor break, etc. Cadillac has to win people over time with rock solid build quality to keep people coming back. Cadillac for example offers 5 year roadside assistance, Mercedes is forever. Unlimited miles, years, and owners shows Mercedes has confidence in their product. Mercedes in Europe also offers a 30 year anti-corrosion warranty. I think you need a flagship too. Infiniti has two strong cars with the G37 and M37/M56 yet where are they? No flagship or halo car, no status, no image.

There are four kinds of Mercedes here in Europe. 1. Taxis 2. Sprinter work vans and variants 3. Former taxis now privately owned and beat to hell 4. The few and far between non-E-Class, non-C-Class cars that are privately owned. The vast majority of Benzes, probably over 90%, both here in Cologne and in Paris fall into the first 3 categories.

and as I thought about it more, there is no way to discern those Benzes in group 4 that are company cars bought for employees and Benzes that were sold retail to someone who really wanted a Benz... other than the fact that company cars rarely come in a color other than black, silver, or beige. Very few Benzes here are ANY color other than black, silver, or beige.

[hyperv6]

^{The Image of Mercedes is different in Europe vs the States. Same for China. Hell Buick means more to many more in China than here.}

^{While this is a global industry the cars are not always playing to the same criteria in each market.}

^{I do have to agree image in the luxury group goes a long way here in the states. Cadillac has been repairing it's image but it still has work to do in this area. You can not just design in image and desire for the buyer, you have to earn it. Cadillac is doing it right by getting the ATS and CTS to the point where the general luxury car buyer will consider them. The price is right. I expect the performance to be pretty much right and the styling on the new ATS and from what we see here on the CTS is more in line what the general buyer is looking for but still with a Cadillac edge. It may not be as hard edged but it is still there.}

^{BMW and Benz did not take over from Cadillac and Lincoln in one year as it took years to take the market. It also was taken from two weak players at the time they did it. While Benz and BMW are the end all be all of cars they are still strong players and the segment leaders as far as the buying public is concerned. GM can win this back with the right moves and time. As for Lincoln Dan is right they need Holy Water and billions in investment just to get to where Cadillac is at. It is late in the game for them and I am not sure Ford can pull it off if a weak economy remains and the models do not improve a lot over what they have now.}

[smk4565]

There are four kinds of Mercedes here in Europe.

1. Taxis

2. Sprinter work vans and variants

3. Former taxis now privately owned and beat to hell

4. The few and far between non-E-Class, non-C-Class cars that are privately owned.

The vast majority of Benzes, probably over 90%, both here in Cologne and in Paris fall into the first 3 categories.

And yet, the CTS still has a plasticy interior, and Cadillac can't manage to get any sales in Europe. And Cadillac is still drifing around 5th place in sales in their home market. If Mercedes is so flawed, it should be easy for Cadillac pass them by and make a $100k car that sells 75,000 units globally per year, and get 500k sales out of the CTS and ATS.

[G. David Felt]

There are four kinds of Mercedes here in Europe.

1. Taxis

2. Sprinter work vans and variants

3. Former taxis now privately owned and beat to hell

4. The few and far between non-E-Class, non-C-Class cars that are privately owned.

The vast majority of Benzes, probably over 90%, both here in Cologne and in Paris fall into the first 3 categories.

And yet, the CTS still has a plasticy interior, and Cadillac can't manage to get any sales in Europe. And Cadillac is still drifing around 5th place in sales in their home market. If Mercedes is so flawed, it should be easy for Cadillac pass them by and make a $100k car that sells 75,000 units globally per year, and get 500k sales out of the CTS and ATS.

It would be easy but people are hung up on a name and GM still has to overcome 20+ years of Consumer reports and news bashing them even when they did not deserve it. No they still get no respectible press.

[smk4565]

There are four kinds of Mercedes here in Europe.

1. Taxis

2. Sprinter work vans and variants

3. Former taxis now privately owned and beat to hell

4. The few and far between non-E-Class, non-C-Class cars that are privately owned.

The vast majority of Benzes, probably over 90%, both here in Cologne and in Paris fall into the first 3 categories.

And yet, the CTS still has a plasticy interior, and Cadillac can't manage to get any sales in Europe. And Cadillac is still drifing around 5th place in sales in their home market. If Mercedes is so flawed, it should be easy for Cadillac pass them by and make a $100k car that sells 75,000 units globally per year, and get 500k sales out of the CTS and ATS.

It would be easy but people are hung up on a name and GM still has to overcome 20+ years of Consumer reports and news bashing them even when they did not deserve it. No they still get no respectible press.

Righ so how does one change that image? Better product, flagship sedan, halo sports car, longer warranty, expanded roadside assistance, better service/dealer experience, advertising, etc. But mainly better product, and not a Chevy Impala with extra wood trim and a touch screen.

[G. David Felt]

GM also needs to force dealerships to invest in upgrading their place of business. The Caddy dealership I have bought my last 3 from is soooooo dated. They still have Olds, Pontiac and Hummer on their signage out front and the inside has not been remodeled since 92 as I asked.

I remember some pictures of some beautiful Caddy dealerships in China. They need to do this here. The local Lexus dealership went from an old building to a 3 story amazing swank digs with an awesome drop off and pick up area. They really need to have all Caddy dealerships modern and world class in addition to the cars and trucks they sell.

[balthazar]

There are four kinds of Mercedes here in Europe.

1. Taxis

2. Sprinter work vans and variants

3. Former taxis now privately owned and beat to hell

4. The few and far between non-E-Class, non-C-Class cars that are privately owned.

The vast majority of Benzes, probably over 90%, both here in Cologne and in Paris fall into the first 3 categories.

Quite true- mercedes has an abysmal private ownership rate in Germany. This is where mercedees falls short and what they need to repair.

[Drew Dowdell]

There are four kinds of Mercedes here in Europe.

1. Taxis

2. Sprinter work vans and variants

3. Former taxis now privately owned and beat to hell

4. The few and far between non-E-Class, non-C-Class cars that are privately owned.

The vast majority of Benzes, probably over 90%, both here in Cologne and in Paris fall into the first 3 categories.

And yet, the CTS still has a plasticy interior, and Cadillac can't manage to get any sales in Europe. And Cadillac is still drifing around 5th place in sales in their home market. If Mercedes is so flawed, it should be easy for Cadillac pass them by and make a $100k car that sells 75,000 units globally per year, and get 500k sales out of the CTS and ATS.

The C-class interior is just as plasticy. Cadillac will only get 500k in sales from the CTS if they turn into Mercedes McFleetwhore and flood the taxicab market in Europe with them. C-class and E-class taxis here are as common as Crown Vics in the states. If that is what you want of Cadillac, you are insane.

[G. David Felt]

There are four kinds of Mercedes here in Europe.

1. Taxis

2. Sprinter work vans and variants

3. Former taxis now privately owned and beat to hell

4. The few and far between non-E-Class, non-C-Class cars that are privately owned.

The vast majority of Benzes, probably over 90%, both here in Cologne and in Paris fall into the first 3 categories.

And yet, the CTS still has a plasticy interior, and Cadillac can't manage to get any sales in Europe. And Cadillac is still drifing around 5th place in sales in their home market. If Mercedes is so flawed, it should be easy for Cadillac pass them by and make a $100k car that sells 75,000 units globally per year, and get 500k sales out of the CTS and ATS.

The C-class interior is just as plasticy. Cadillac will only get 500k in sales from the CTS if they turn into Mercedes McFleetwhore and flood the taxicab market in Europe with them. C-class and E-class taxis here are as common as Crown Vics in the states. If that is what you want of Cadillac, you are insane.

NO NO NO, NO FLEET SALES!!!

The last thing GM needs to do is Whore out the CTS!

[hyperv6]

There are four kinds of Mercedes here in Europe.

1. Taxis

2. Sprinter work vans and variants

3. Former taxis now privately owned and beat to hell

4. The few and far between non-E-Class, non-C-Class cars that are privately owned.

The vast majority of Benzes, probably over 90%, both here in Cologne and in Paris fall into the first 3 categories.

And yet, the CTS still has a plasticy interior, and Cadillac can't manage to get any sales in Europe. And Cadillac is still drifing around 5th place in sales in their home market. If Mercedes is so flawed, it should be easy for Cadillac pass them by and make a $100k car that sells 75,000 units globally per year, and get 500k sales out of the CTS and ATS.

The C-class interior is just as plasticy. Cadillac will only get 500k in sales from the CTS if they turn into Mercedes McFleetwhore and flood the taxicab market in Europe with them. C-class and E-class taxis here are as common as Crown Vics in the states. If that is what you want of Cadillac, you are insane.

NO NO NO, NO FLEET SALES!!!

The last thing GM needs to do is Whore out the CTS!

That is why we have the XTS!

No matter what they are made of or how they are built Cadillac needs to restore it's precieved image and branding back to what it used to be. While they still need to build the best car in class they still need the public to accept them as the standard. As Toyota has proven with the Camry the best cars is not always seen by the public as the best car.

[balthazar]

There are four kinds of Mercedes here in Europe.

1. Taxis

2. Sprinter work vans and variants

3. Former taxis now privately owned and beat to hell

4. The few and far between non-E-Class, non-C-Class cars that are privately owned.

The vast majority of Benzes, probably over 90%, both here in Cologne and in Paris fall into the first 3 categories.

And yet, the CTS still has a plasticy interior, and Cadillac can't manage to get any sales in Europe. And Cadillac is still drifing around 5th place in sales in their home market. If Mercedes is so flawed, it should be easy for Cadillac pass them by and make a $100k car that sells 75,000 units globally per year, and get 500k sales out of the CTS and ATS.

The C-class interior is just as plasticy. Cadillac will only get 500k in sales from the CTS if they turn into Mercedes McFleetwhore and flood the taxicab market in Europe with them. C-class and E-class taxis here are as common as Crown Vics in the states. If that is what you want of Cadillac, you are insane.

NO NO NO, NO FLEET SALES!!! The last thing GM needs to do is Whore out the CTS!

Oh no; smk demands Cadillac ape every move made by the mercedees/BMW twins, so that means ballooning fleet sales to 65% of sales!

[smk4565]

If Mercedes and BMW have such poor images and are just fleet whores in Europe, why can't Cadillac make it in Europe? How many Cadillacs sold in Germany last year? And why can't Cadillac compete with BMW or Mercedes in the USA? What about China, where Audi is the government sedan of choice, and Mercedes and BMW are not the taxi, yet they are #2 and #3 selling 150-170,000 cars each there.

Cadillac sold 28,000 cars in China last year, 3% of the luxury car market there. The Audi Q5 alone sold 32,000 in China, with the Audi brand doing 225,000 sales. China in 2015 is expected to have a larger premium car market than the USA does. Cadillac can't be a 3% player there, and in the USA see sales drop from 235,000 in 2005, to 152,000 in 2011, while having almost no presence in Europe.

[balthazar]

If Mercedes and BMW have such poor images and are just fleet whores in Europe, why can't Cadillac make it in Europe?

Because Cadillac doesn't fleet whore itself?

[Drew Dowdell]

Because Cadillac doesn't fleet whore itself.

Because Cadillac has no dealer network in Europe. Cadillac dealers here are holes in the wall when they do exist.

[ocnblu]

Local Buick-GMC and Chevy dealerships just went through their GM-supervised renovation, and the buildings look great. I know Cadillac dealerships are in line for "forced" renovations as well, coming to a Caddy dealership near you soon!

And Cadillac is at or near the top in sales and service satisfaction scores year after year.

[balthazar]

And Cadillac is at or near the top in sales and service satisfaction scores year after year.

Which is what I've read also. Looks like that needs to be stricken from smk's bumper sticker response of What's Eternally Wrong with Cadillac.

[Drew Dowdell]

+1

but I will add that there are lots of Cadillac dealerships still out there that need to be bulldozed and rebuilt to today's standards rather than being stuck in 1978 like so many are. The dealer SMK and I both have dealt with has superb service, but highly dated dealership.

[hyperv6]

GM has the car line going to where it needs to be. They still need a few tweeks to the CTS and they needs a few more models like the flagship and other cars to fill out the line up. But still the first real step is to get the ATS and the new CTS in the market and really push them. They will be the foundation that Cadillac will be built on from this point forward.

The Dealers for the most were not a major problem for service. Most that I have had to deal with were top notch. The buildings needed upgraded and like stated a few still need to upgrade or removed.

The way I see Cadillac from there forward is like what I see planting grass seed in a new lawn. We did a lot of building last year and I had to regrade the soil plant the seed and fertilize it. Now I just need to keep feeding it water and more improvments with fertilizer to keep it's growth in the right direction. If neglected it would wither.

GM is doing the same now. They have preped the base with great service and now just need to properly tend it to let it grow. With the right mic of care the division image will grow with the public and the right mix of products people want they will seek them out. The quality and technology will help sell these people cars.

GM can do all that is needed but it will still take time for the division to earn the trust and interest of the public. It is easier to create a new company like like Lexus vs trying to reverse the image of the sins of the past by companies like Cadillac or Lincoln.

The way I see it Cadillac is well on the way and as long as they keep this path they will do well. Now I see Lincoln they are still at risk as they still have yet to show us any product worth consideration. With the planned investment they will need to change this or they will fail.

To be honest in this segment I really don't see a single solid player who will dominate in the future. Benz and BMW have done some wonderful things but they also have shown they can fail in product and quality. the Aisan companies can show they can play it too safe. This I feel is the opening here Cadillac can show they are a player with the right product and qaulity. But again they have to earn that trust of the public as you can not design it or engineer it into the car. Only Time and proof you have solid quality product can earn it for you.

[smk4565]

+1

but I will add that there are lots of Cadillac dealerships still out there that need to be bulldozed and rebuilt to today's standards rather than being stuck in 1978 like so many are. The dealer SMK and I both have dealt with has superb service, but highly dated dealership.

They are a dated dealer, they also charge a lot. I had a quote a couple years back for $2800 from them to replace a solenid and torque converter, and a transmission repair place did it for $1400. So to me the dealer doesn't matter too much on buying a car, I probably wouldn't go back to it very much anyway. I buy a car, not a dealership, although a fancy dealership may get some people to get a good feeling about the product that is in it.

[Drew Dowdell]

All dealers are like that in pricing. I never had any out of warranty work done there, so I don't know if their service prices are high or not. I went to that place because I was treated like crap at the fancy new Cadillac store in Monroeville at the time.

To be fair, you also have an oddball car to work on.

[smk4565]

All dealers are like that in pricing. I never had any out of warranty work done there, so I don't know if their service prices are high or not. I went to that place because I was treated like crap at the fancy new Cadillac store in Monroeville at the time.

To be fair, you also have an oddball car to work on.

True on all acounts. Dealer pricing anywhere is high, I think it is cheaper and easier to deal with the Jiffy Lube, Midas, Mieneke type service shops. And my car is hard to work on. But I will say they are friendly and fix the car right every time in Wexford.

[G. David Felt]

But one thing I will say the dealerships have going for it. GM warranty's their repairs for life or at least they do here in Seattle as I have had things fixed and had to go back later on and got it covered by GM.

One thing I really hate is a Grease Monkey changing your oil and they over torque the drain plug and your left with leaky plug. I know the dealerships charge more, my caddy dealership charges $89 for a Mobil 1 synthetic change compared to the $69 at the local Grease Monkey. I do not mind paying the $20 more when they check out the rest of the car and let me know what other services might be coming up or if there is any other issues they came across.

Yea the Grease monkey followes the schedules service and tells you what is due, but they are not trained in knowing your car like the dealership. If I can do the repair or tune up myself, great I get it done, but other wise take it to the dealership.

I do wish the Dougs Cadillac dealership on Highway 99 would remodel or rebuild as the building shows its 60 heritage of when it was built. They really need to modernize.

[Robert Hall]

I've avoided the chains like Jiffy Lube, Brakes Plus, etc for years and stick w/ a good local independent shop.

Edited April 30, 2012 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Drew Dowdell]

Finding a dealer to service my car is getting hard these days.

I always let my Cadillac dealer service my CTS. Oil changes weren't very expensive and they even would pick the car up from my office for me. The oil life monitor was on a 10k schedule it seemed, so $65 once every 12 months for a full synth oil change wasn't unreasonable.

[G. David Felt]

Yea, caddy does love to pick up the cars from your work and return them. I do love the service I get from my dealership even though the building is way out of date.

[tmp]

This is the last building that housed Beverly Hills Cadillac. Dated? Maybe a little. But with a little polish and an interior redo I can see them selling Kanye a Ciel or Leonardo an ELR..

[balthazar]

^ that is an awesome building with a ton of marketing potential!

[ZL-1]

^ that is an awesome building with a ton of marketing potential!

QFT

[G. David Felt]

This is the last building that housed Beverly Hills Cadillac. Dated? Maybe a little. But with a little polish and an interior redo I can see them selling Kanye a Ciel or Leonardo an ELR..

Yes I would agree that this building with a proper interior remodel and an exterior cleaning fresh up would have plenty of potential as a modern Caddy dealership.

[balthazar]

One of these up on the roof would be a good start:

[hyperv6]

Make the new dealer more hip and stick the tail of a 59 out of the front or roof like a Hard Rock Cafe LOL!

The one in Maui has a near mock up of a custom 59 over the bar.

I would love to see them incorperate some thing like even a mock up of the CTSV race cars or other image builders.

[balthazar]

Make the new dealer more hip and stick the tail of a 59 out of the front or roof like a Hard Rock Cafe LOL!

That's pure idiocy. You don't desecrate past iconic product by taking a chainsaw & making a wallhanging out of it.

If you mock yourself, why shouldn't everyone else??

What would be more sensible & cater to the lux crowd AND the marque's heritage could be, say, large reproductions of factory art, AKA:

Edited May 4, 2012 by balthazar

[hyperv6]

Make the new dealer more hip and stick the tail of a 59 out of the front or roof like a Hard Rock Cafe LOL!

That's pure idiocy. You don't desecrate past iconic product by taking a chainsaw & making a wallhanging out of it.

If you mock yourself, why shouldn't everyone else??

What would be more sensible & cater to the lux crowd AND the marque's heritage could be, say, large reproductions of factory art, AKA:

You seem to be too old to understand.

First off you would use a fiberglass repo as only an idiot would think to use a chain saw on a real car. Value and weight would be off the chart.

Second many items are reproduced today into wall fixtures, furniture and items of art.

It is all in what you like and want. The fact is you want to attract younger buyers you have to think younger art. While I love art deco myself it is not real big with the under 50 crowd.

Might look around in the high end magazines that cater to home auto items and garage items for the big spender. These guys spend thousands of dollars for Mustang Pool tables and 57 Chevy love seats.

A table made out of Auto Items also are prized.

Our one division at work makes a lot of money from rich guys paying much for high mark up items like this.

One mans mocking is another mans Man Cave.

While the German dealers are industrial and technical like the new Benz dealer I pass daily the American one should be well more American. I deal with people in Asia and Europe at work that love the things American so I see it even playing well overseas.

A little art deco from the 30's Cadillac is fine but they should use a little styling too from one of the most remembered eras the 50's.

Even the Cadillac Ranch is well know and liked world wide.

Edited May 4, 2012 by hyperv6

[balthazar]

You seem to misunderstand the mission here.

The fiberglas replicas are cheap, inaccurate & low-end, not upscale. They have all the class of kiddie rides outside Wal-Mart.

Yes, many have taken the gas axe to real actual cars- that's how the whole couch thing started in the late '80s.

I've seen photo-documentation of ripping a car & creating an empty shell to put up on a wall; hollowed out they're not heavy. Either way, either implying or actually cutting up your own product is not the means to upgrade your image/showroom.

This is not a personal expression 'man cave', it's supposed to be an upscale, enticing, classy showroom.

Cadillac Ranch reminds me of the clueless Cadillac dealer that smashed up a '53 for a publicity stunt.

That stupid stunt was well hated & panned worldwide. Old think & the wrong direction.

Edited May 4, 2012 by balthazar

[Drew Dowdell]

Cadillac ranch is an atrocity.

[Robert Hall]

I like this Cadillac Ranch, here in Tempe. Has a red '60 4dr on the roof.... http://cadillacranchtempe.com/

Edited May 4, 2012 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[balthazar]

^ I've known about Cadillac Ranch for decades, a LOT of people deride/denounce it.

I suppose those that find bashing a old car with a sledgehammer would find it 'neat'.

[Robert Hall]

^ I've known about Cadillac Ranch for decades, a LOT of people deride/denounce it.

I suppose those that find bashing a old car with a sledgehammer would find it 'neat'.

Yeah, that's the silly 'art' thing in Texas..the one I'm talking about is a bar...