The Cadillac CTS-V Estate Spy - Euro ready?
The Cadillac CTS-V Estate (Wagon) has been spied, but with Cadillac still without a network in place in Europe will we be seeing it here any time soon?
It’s very sad that with a range of cars in its arsenal which could – probably for the first time ever – be taken seriously by European buyers, Cadillac are without a dealer network in the UK and Europe. Yes, they told us they were sorting that out and that ‘Cadillac back in Europe’ was a certainty. But really, it isn’t.
We reported in January that Cadillac would have a dealer network in place by for the UK and Europe by Geneva. Then last month Cadillac told us that they had set up Cadillac Europe which would handle import, distribution and marketing of a selected range of Cadillac models. But still no network in place for sales. The best Cadillac could do was to say that Cadillacs will be retailed through “…a fully authorized Cadillac sales and service network in key European markets”. How hard can it be to appoint a handful of GM dealers in each country to deal with Cadillac?
All of which is a bit of a long-winded moan, because it looks like Bob Lutz’ promise that “…you’ll be able to get the CTS-V any way you want” has now happened, with the spy shot above showing the Cadillac CTS-V Estate (I know, American readers all, it’s a ‘Wagon’). It will offer big load space and a sub 4 second 0-60mph. And potentially a bargain price. Which if Cadillac had got its act together could be a big seller in the UK and Europe. Or at least a halo version of potentially the big seller – the Cadillac CTS Estate.
Or would it just be the best-seller, period? For reasons best known to GM, plans have been shelved to endow Cadillac with a diesel engine. Which doesn’t matter a jot for US sales, but will impact hugely in the UK and Europe. The CTS Estate with a diesel engine could be a value-for-money load lugger in Europe. The Cadillac SRX (aka Saab 9-4X) could do equally well. But with petrol-only units they’re tieing one arm behind their backs and chaining their ankles together.
Or maybe they’re just not serious about marketing in Europe? Maybe they’re just playing at it to show willingness to their bankers (aka the US Government) that they are ready to become ‘World Players’, with a product range that works anywhere, not just in the US?
Just a thought. I’m sure we’re wrong. But how hard would it be to source a diesel from the GM larder in Europe?
Source: Jalopnik (image)
Michael 1963 says
FROM PESCARA, ITALY –
La Cadillac “CTS” si presenta sul mercato europeo con tutte le credenziali per ben figurare, salvo una: la mancanza di un motore diesel, fondamentale per affermarsi qui da noi.
Si parla con insistenza di una motorizzazione sviluppata con l’italiana VM di cica 3000 cc, che mi sembra appropriata.
Così può diventare una valida alternativa alle varie Mercedes “Classe E”, Bmw “Serie 5?, Audi “A6? e Jaguar “XF”. Con questa motorizzazione potrebbe interessarmi seriamente per un acquisto futuro, naturalmente con carrozzeria tradizionale a tre volumi.
Tony Rome says
Completely agree re the diesel option for Europe. However, this was mentioned in 2007 with an availability date of 2009. Now, well into 2010, there’s still no news and, with no information forthcoming about the dealer network, how can Cadillac expect to sell any cars in Europe? They are clearly not taking Europe seriously, which means buyers won’t take them seriously and will continue to buy cars from other manufacturers.
CarsUK says
No sign of a proper network yet for Cadillac. But there will be NO diesel engine for Cadillac. The planned 2.9 lump has been ditched, and we tend to agree that does mean Cadillac aren’t taking Europe seriously as a market.