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

[hyperv6]

You guys really have little clue to some of the more recent retail trends.

Summit Racng has built several retail stores that features auto themes with real race cars. The one here in Akron featers vintage front engine rails, Pro mod car, Several NASCAR Stock cars and Swamp Rat 32 Top fuel car hung from the Ceiling. We also have several Quaker Steak and Lube Resturants here that feature many different cars and old petro items. The one in Sharon has everything from a Harley Collection, To a Vette on the ceiling in the Vette Room To a Mario Andretti Indy car on the wall in the Gasoline Alley room. They also have the side of one of the old Castrol XJR9 IMSA racers. they even have a 37 Chevy on the rack with tables under it with many vintage auto items all around. There is even more there. The One in Canton has a Miller Stock car, Corvettes, Indy car in the entry ares with a Funny car going up the wall.

The way I see it a Cadillac dealer styled with many items from their past. I would not do it too way out but a tail that is a exact repo is easy to find would be nice or even have a old restored classic Caddy in the Showroom. Even something like a 67 in perfect condition would add to the experience.

The photo above from Tempe is a good example of what could be done.

Note a Chrysler Dodge dealer here has done this with some old muscle cars like an old Challanger parked next to a new Challanger in the show room. They also were able to get some of the more famous race cars from Dodge's past and have them on display.

We even had a Goodyear store here in the mall with a real Indy car and even Walker Evens Power Wagon on display for nearly 20 years. They also had Richard Pettys Superbird on display.

All I am saying is it would be nice to display parts and cars of Cadillacs better times in the past. It could be done tastefully.

As for the Cadillac Ranch in TX.. Like it or not it is considered a Icon. Storys have been written about it, Songs have been sung about it, Movies have been made around it. No matter if you approve of it or not it has created a lasting image in American history and even if Cadillac vanished from the market in a year it would still carry the legacy.

The Idea today is to make retail locations more than just a retail location. You want to make them something that will draw people inside to see what you have. If you do it right they will come from miles. While I would tone down what Summit and The Lube have done I would want to make the show room a draw no matter what cars you have in it.

That is what the Hard Rocks do. They have ok food and they are normally crowded but most will make you wait in line to get a seat as people are drawn in. That is what I would like to see in a new dealer.

[balthazar]

< -- Ed Gein is an icon to some, movies have been shot based on him & about him, stories & books have been written, numerous songs have been sung. No matter if you approve of it or not he has created a lasting image in American history.

Sigh.

Pop culture is not something you craft an upscale image around. A Cadillac dealer should not be an arcade, a parts warehouse or a greasy spoon. Who would've thought this was such an obscure concept.

hyper's 'new' Cadillac dealership decor, 'bringing in the youth' :

Free hot dogs & balloons in the back, kids!

Edited May 4, 2012 by balthazar

[hyperv6]

Never mind you are not getting the full concept I would have in mind.

I am thinking of something more in line with the Penske Ferrari dealer in Vegas with elements like Mclaren is using by installing real F1 cars at in their dealers. The dealer would be more upscale and have a visual draw to it. Even some elements from the Corvette Museum in KY or the Peterson Museum. I want a Museum like quality but with a more luxury feel.

The example of the couch is only to show you can have reprduction items crafted to help style the building that would look and represent Cadillac that a GM dealer can afford. I would not put that couch in the dealer but I would comisson items that would fit into the proper decore.

Just doing a Art Deco style alone would have little effect on the non DTS lovers.

This is the time to think out side the box. Look around at what many upscale people are doing to their ultimate garages and you will see what they are intune with.

While I don't have an issue with some Modern Art Deco that is just not enough.

[Robert Hall]

I've seen the Penske Ferrari dealer in LV...pretty nicely done. Penske also has the Penske Auto Mall here in Scottsdale..very nice block of stores--Ferrari, Maserati, Range Rover, VW, Acura, Bentley along w/ a racing museum. I was in a few of them a couple weeks ago, the VW one has several restored vintage VWs in the showroom--a '60s camper van, Beetle, a Thing mixed in w/ the new cars...I could see a large Caddy showroom doing something like that.

[G. David Felt]

If the building is over all Modern with historical tie in of older vehicles and a few touches of pop culture, then I would say you could have a good dealership. Yet my 25 year old son and his friends had stopped by the house and and we were talking cars. It was pretty amazing to hear. They all seemed to like the Camero with the hints of heritage, but over all newer modern look. They felt the Mustange was an old dino that was holding on too tight to the past. They did love the pictures I showed them of what some says could be the new mustange.

A couple of them brought up the comment of why are people living in the past rather than moving forward with a modern future version that has complements to the past built into the future versions.

I think we can always acknowledge the past but must move forward with the future.

[hyperv6]

I've seen the Penske Ferrari dealer in LV...pretty nicely done. Penske also has the Penske Auto Mall here in Scottsdale..very nice block of stores--Ferrari, Maserati, Range Rover, VW, Acura, Bentley along w/ a racing museum. I was in a few of them a couple weeks ago, the VW one has several restored vintage VWs in the showroom--a '60s camper van, Beetle, a Thing mixed in w/ the new cars...I could see a large Caddy showroom doing something like that.

Yes the Penske Scottsdale is a good example of what I am thinking. Penske class and Penskes like of history and marketing is what I would like to see.

A good example today I thought of I would love to see is the use of some items like in the Historic Collection like some repo's of the old Neon and other hallmarks of the past but in a new setting. I really want to keep away from the Benz glass and aluminum look. Stone materials would give it a less dealer look and keep it upscale.

I also like what Summit Racing has used in Tallmadge Ohio and Atlanta GA. They have turn tables that are glassed half in and half outside the building. They put all sorts of cars on them on display. I have seen everything from a Allison powered V12 Art Artfons Green Monster and John Forces drag cars and even the real Bumble Bee from Transformers to my own car on them. They keep different cars on them monthly for evens and special displays of race and show cars. If the dealers had this GM could loan out cars like the Sixteen or other future prototypes on national tours where they could be displayed in dealers. On the tables they are safe and removed enough people can not touch them.

I really was blown away when I was asked to display my car on the table. I never thought anyone would ask for a Fiero on there. LOL!

The cars on each side rotate and are half in and are half outside. It is a real attraction with the righ cars up there 24/7. The sign over the doors is changed about every two years to new photo. While this is a nice building I would love a more natural material used for the dealership.

Edited May 4, 2012 by hyperv6

[Drew Dowdell]

I think it looks too much like an automotive Best Buy to be a Cadillac dealership. Not at all "luxury"

[hyperv6]

I think it looks too much like an automotive Best Buy to be a Cadillac dealership. Not at all "luxury"

Note I said I would not want these materials etc. The photo is to only point out the glassed in turntables that could be used in many styles of buildings.

This is a retail store and that is why it looks like a retail store.

By the way the inside is not best buys and is much more like the Old Race Rock Cafe crossed with an upscale department store than anything with large video screens and many old race cars and racing themed displays. It was very expensive to build.

The store is as much an attraction as it is a retail location. While I am not saying that Cadillac should do something just like this I would like to see Cadillac come up with a retail location that would be as much an attration as it is a place of buisness.

Another example here is a Harley store we have. They built the building with the front like a giant V twin engine theme to a very attractive California style building. It is very interesting to look at. Once inside they have displays of new and some old classic and historic Harleys. It has upscale Peterson Museum look about it that is not stuffy. Also they have a Harley style cafe that has good food and generates customer traffic into the show room that is not service related or sales related. I have heard the feel it has helped generate sales of accesories and even some sales when someone see's that bike they always wanted in person.

I know a resturant is a little much for most dealers but the concept of somthing other than sevice work and new car sales generating walk in traffic would be a good thing for a dealer if you can keep the sales people from attacking like piranna. I own my HHR SS today because I saw a new one on the lot and just stopped to look at it. 3 months later I called the salesman that offered me the keys in the first 5 mins for a drive to find the one I bought. I have no plans on a SS or buying a new car till I was drawn in.

I would like the Cadillac experience to be something that people could look forward too. Lets face it most people go to dealers now with the same mood as they do a Dentist for a Root Canal.

My GMC dealer and Chevy dealer both were low pressure and they both have treated me well. The Chevy dealers building sucked as it was a well beaten 1970 building. They have just built the new style Chevy building like you see on the commercials. It looks much better but It is nothing I am going to visit till I plan to buy a car.

I almost thing it is time for a car company to look for ways to make dealer more attractive for walk in visits. I think they should look for new ways to attract more people and new ways for profits.

I think in the future the dealer will have to change as many people now are buying on line and only go to the dealer when they pick up the car. I have done this aleady and I see the new generations doing this too.

I don't have the answer but I do feel it is time to reinvent the dealer.

[G. David Felt]

The dealer should take a hint that people want comfort, new fresh place to visit with nodes to the historical past. They want to know they are buying a product that has a rich history and is here to last.

GM can so build modern places that are comfy to visit, showing their rich history and inovation and let the customer know they are here for the long haul.

[hyperv6]

The dealer should take a hint that people want comfort, new fresh place to visit with nodes to the historical past. They want to know they are buying a product that has a rich history and is here to last.

GM can so build modern places that are comfy to visit, showing their rich history and inovation and let the customer know they are here for the long haul.

You have the idea. I would like to see the service waiting room more like a club setting. Even a gas fire place would look nice in there.

[SAmadei]

You have the idea. I would like to see the service waiting room more like a club setting. Even a gas fire place would look nice in there.

Like Panera Bread with a liquor license?

[hyperv6]

You have the idea. I would like to see the service waiting room more like a club setting. Even a gas fire place would look nice in there.

Like Panera Bread with a liquor license?

Well I would expect GM only to offer coffee and soft drinks. I think Soup in bread bowls would be too messy and complicated. The Drink liability would be a little much. But I could see it helping when the service writer has bad news about a timing chain needing replaced. LOL!

I think a big screen TV on also would be nice with comfortable seating. A Good and Fast Wi Fi connection.

[Drew Dowdell]

gonna gently nudge this back to the future CTS.

[ZL-1]

gonna gently nudge this back to the future CTS.

Any newer spy pics? I am intrigued abut the grille under that camo: it looks pretty much like the Ciel's grille