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That is my point exactly. GM probably has spent nearly as much in advertising but hasn't been as effective as some other cars because of past image tainting in 80s and 90s and lack of willingness to cut the umbilical.
I still cringe when I recall the "My father's Oldsmobile" sequence of ads trying to get newer buyers who had been weaned into the Civic, Accord, Corolla, Camry, etc., cars out of those cars into an Oldsmobile.
Why were the wine glasses stacked in a pile on a Lexus hood so effective and the ball bearing rolling down a body panel crease so effective with the intended market? Why didn't GM pick a theme that would be equivalent for GM.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Marketing is important no doubt but without a decent product to back it up it's pretty much worthless.
1. The only people who think they ever were standard of the world were those that were of adult age in the 1950's and 60's. At that time Cadillac only sold "luxoboat" sized cars; which makes me question the "standard of the world" question, because standard of the world in other countries means performance cars, and up until 2002 Cadillac didn't have a street legal performance car (Cadillac CTS) The CTS was born from car enthusiasts, engineers and racing heritage, the same type of energy that for many decades, not just a few years, has gone into building BMW 300 series cars and many Mercedes cars, etc. Another thing is there was an extreme shift in the way Americans purchased cars starting in 1975, because of the "oil crisis". When this happened, most weren't worried about the standard, they were worried about how they could stop wasting money on fuel, like they are today due to sky high vehicle fuel prices.
2. To be "standard of the world, a car company needs to be concerned with more things than style. How about substance? How about craftsmanship? Good Service? Good Warranty? Detail? These are things that GM misses the cue on so many times. There are those that say the CTS meets these points, but that's the only car that Cadillac has that meets these points. And we still don't have a CTS that is the standard of this world until this fall.. Why? because of the 2007 CTS' cheap interior. The STS may meet these points as well, but the STS also is not fun to drive, it's too heavy, to much body lean, and too large for most to consider it fun to drive.
3. The main reasons I feel they will never be standard of the world is because of poor marketing, but most of all, poor management. In addition, they also have too many layers of management, and in the minds of many Cadillac's cars were never the standard of the world to begin with.
4. Why is GM worried about making Cadillac "Standard of the World"? Doesn't it make more sense to worry about brands that were once flourishing, now have become fledgling? What about trying to rebuild GM as a whole brand? Now that they have Saturn, they may not need Buick?. Buick, Olsmobile (which seems to sporadically resurrect itself from time to time), and Pontiac are not doing that great either in the U.S.A.
BMW cars are 3-series, 5-series and 7-series, not 300, 500 ... series. BMW is the standard for sports sedans. Not everyone wants a sports sedan though.
I do not think GM is trying to make Cadillac some sort of "Standard of the World". This forum is about this ill defined issue. I think GM is trying to improve their entire lineup of cars, but Oldmobile is no long a production item. Oldsmobile was a make that was in production continuously for over 100 years when GM finally shut down production.
BMWs success is actually based not on a revolutionary idea but rather an EVolutionary idea, of constant perfection of a single formula, constantly evolving into new and more effective forms.
GM seems more like "oh, the brontosaurus is dead, so here's a...umm...mammoth....oh, didn't like that huh? Okay a sabre tooth tiger then!"
So the sooner Cadillac gets into this evolutionary style of production, the sooner they'll compete as a credible member of the luxury and "sports/luxury" class IMO.
We touched on this briefly some time ago, when someone posted pictures of BMWs going back to the late 1930s. They would be recognized by the average American even today as some kind of old BMW, without reading any names or emblems on the car. Those twin grilles still persist in a recognizable pattern. Ditto Mercedes.
But the relation of a '50 Cadillac to a modern one? It's just not there.
Not saying it HAS to work this way, but it sure didn't hurt BMW and Mercedes to have that genetic string going.
Not saying it HAS to work this way, but it sure didn't hurt BMW and Mercedes to have that genetic string going.
The new 2008 CTS has very strong identity to past Cadillacs in front end (back to 40's) and rear styling. Think that Cadillac has done just as good a job as BMW in maintaining consisitency of front end look. Cadillac maybe has done a better job of maintaining its rear look than has BMW.
One issue that Cadillac might have parlayed if they had close to equal performance/handling of 3/5/7 series would be ease of use compared to BMW. Didn't BMW kind of goof up by providing an overly complicated I-Drive?
But really now I don't think a buyer unschooled in the history of cars would pick up on it, whereas a ten year old kid could spot a 1938 Mercedes in a heartbeat. I'd bet $20 bucks on a random test.
And since we are talking about a sort of gut-level subliminal identification between past and present, I'm not sure that Cadillac has enough genetic material from the past in its modern cars to inspire instant brand equity and historical respect in new buyers. Call it the "heritage factor" if you will, vague as that sounds.
I do see in modern Cadillacs that charming kind of bombast in the grillework that I sort of likee in most of the older American cars--so yeah, there is genetic material in that sense--to a glorious past of American 'big iron" in general IMO.
If Cadillac wanted real genetic material, it would have to bring back those big boob bumpers and tail fins, and you know, those days might be over for automotive stylists.
When I think of the Golden 50s for Cadillac, i'm seeing pictures of like Marilyn Monroe and Dwight Eisenhower waving from huge chromey cars that looked like they were ready to conquer outer space. Parked next to the average American or foreign sedan, Cadillacs positively overwhelmed them visually.
IMO all of the Euro lux players understand it. MB is fantastic about evolving a model over decades. Reorganizing the lineup every 10 years confuses the non-loyalist consumer. MB is so evolutionary that back in 1994 when the model name conventions changed (ie 500SEL vs S500), some people were upset.
It also helps in the heritage ideal, which is important for MB and BMW loyalists.
I don't see it.
I do see it here.
Ooops wait forgot about the third brake light.
The only common element I see is the milk crate front grill and that is stretching it.
I don't get that one, either. :P
1948 Benz
1958 Benz
1968 Benz
1988 Benz
A Benz Today
Bumpy said: I don't see it.
You are trying to compare 2008 CTS rear to 40's Caddy rear. I did not make that comparison. Check my sentence again. I only said that front of 2008 and Caddys BACK TO 40's have strong identity. Did not say that back of 2008 has strong identity to 40s'. But, nonetheless, 2008 back end of CTS is very strong to past Caddys, Eldos I think.
Old car you show below red BMW (seems to have BMW badge) is a very generic design of the 30s and was used by many brands. Is it supposed to match up with red BMW? Don't see it. I guess they both have headlights, but shape is not the same only function.
I would bet that any car savvy teen of today could correctly guess the Cadillac brand by looking at the grille of the old Caddy picture you show. Same teen no way would guess the correct brand of old BMW. There is nothing unique tying that car to current BMW.
To judge Cadillac's styling changes over time, one needs to look at the prime Cadillac model, which is the De Ville since World War Two. The DeVille has been Cadillac's prime seller, and has been what Cadillac is for most people. The deville name was not always used, as it started out as the series 62 after WWII.
As for the taillights on the new CTS - they recall the thin, vertical taillights that Cadillac began using with the 1967 Eldorado. They aren't meant to evoke the cars of the tailfin era.
So no car company owns the egg crate like Benz owns the star or BMW owns the kidneys.
Having said that, AT LEAST the new Cadillac is not a "cookie'cutter" design from the GM lineup...and that's a GOOD THING!
Another problem with the "heritage thing", aside from little link to the past, is that Cadillac has no performance history, (racing, sedan racing, hill climbs, rallyes, etc) except maybe in rock and roll songs.
So really Cadillac has to rely on the "glam" image from the past---that's all it has going in terms of accessible "history" (what anyone can remember) as far as the general public is concerned.
You've crossed the line dude. I've had my computer down for about a week and have been trying to catch up on the posts I've missed on this forum. Dude, if you don't like General Motors products that's fine. You own a Camry and a Accord which is a very popular appliance. I don't see how you can sit here and rip a brand that has consistently offered in their most disgusting years a better car than anything you drive now or ever have driven......seriously.....The anti-gm/cadillac garbage is getting old.
And would you please tell me why a G.M. assembly line worker expects to make executive level wages and beyond to put together a car?? ($42+ per hour)
My father had a skill job as a job setter and right before he retired from GM/Delphi after 27 years he made $29 an hour as of July of 2006. He had great benefits and a pension and didn't make $42+ an hour like you and the media claim unless you factor in the cost of health insurance and his pension. If you break it down year by year it still doesn't even come close to that figure. GM, has stated it costs them a bundle of money for health insurance per car as much as $1500 per car which IMHO from other studies is quite a stretch. They of course factor in retiree health insurance and due to the past bad investments and under funding of pension and health insurance funds they yes are paying quite a bit. If the company's past CEO's would of properly invested their money instead of blowing it on projects like Suzuki, Suburu, Fuji, Saab, Isuzu, etc etc etc, perhaps those billions wasted would of made the current pension and healthcare costs a moot point. GE, has nearly 30 Billion with a "B" to cover pensions and healthcare for it's retirees here in the U.S. and in fact the fund continues to make money and id self supporting.
I don't deny Roger Smith, was a bad CEO and took the North American for granted and is the sole person responsible for GM's collapse in here in the U.S.
I however take offense when people take pop shots at UAW workers who put in a lot of years and deserve a slice of the pie when they are asked to leave or take early retirements when cut backs are needed because of modernization. Look at this way your tax dollars won't be used to support my GM family members on medicare or medicaid.
My point is yes GM, has made some mistakes in the past. however should we not move forward and admit General Motors is at least offering the consumers of this counry some handsome products finally ???? The 2008' Cadillac CTS is just one of many examples that are out or will be rolling down the assembly line. If you want to live in the past you have the right to do so. :sick: I however wished you'd quit with your anti-GM smear campaign and contribute something positive to this forum. If you don't want to I wished you'd at least be mature enough and leave because I'm yet to see one positive remark from you in the 352 posts I've missed posted on this forum.
Thanx, and have a great day !
Rocky
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
That's the smartest thing said in the last 150+ posts I've read......
Rocky
Some people are a "One Note Samba" to name an old song.
Check your email box, Rock.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Again, let's compare apples to apples shall we?
Just like today I would definitely stand up and object if I see someone is trying to compare an Acura TL to say a Chevy Impala or Malibu even though I am in here known for as the "imports lover" and "domestics basher".
Really, Cadillac's only card to play to gain more prestige is the glamor car, the exclusivity card. They don't have a heritage card and they don't have a racing card, but they do still have a history of American-style glamor and foreign owner "opulence". It was the car of "pleasure-seekers".
Therefore, I think Cadillac SHOULD build this car, in the following way and for the following reasons:
I think Cadillac should build a V-16 FOUR door luxury car, in both short and long wheelbase. It should be glamorous and fast and should be filled with every conceivable gadget known to mankind. It will be a Maybach but with a plunging neckline and bulging muscles, not an undertaker's car.
This car won't be for profit. It will be built in very small numbers and sold only ONLY to the most highly visible and "worthy" glamorous, powerful, rich people. (This is essentially what Ferrari does with cars like the Enzo, etc).
It should be priced at least at $150,000, and painted only in dignified colors. Buyers must agree not to alter the cars exterior and Cadillac will have a buy-back option contract on every car. It will have a fabulous warranty as well and we will NEVER see one broken down on the side of the road...it will be whisked away if it breaks down.
A special group of people (perhaps in addition to their regular duties) will be assigned to place the car in the media, movies and at events, and will be in contact with the owners as a kind of valet service.
Should this program succeed, a coupe version could be built, even more powerful and more glamorous. It will cost $250,000.
Sort of like the mythical, and incorrect, Rolls Royce flying factory techs around to work on their cars.
Swiss Made I agree reflects "the best" in watch making. However, I do think as americans many get caught up in "where it's made" instead of "how it's made"
I do believe americans have the brain power to manufactor the finest quality product on the market. However as we've seen in the past and present we don't always execute to our potential. I don't think you can blame that on the american worker because americans can only build as good as the engineering and management allows them.
The old saying was if it's "German Engineered" it must be the best !!!!! The difference was the Germans engineered about the best but they also charged for it. GM, for example is currently trying to engineer the best product for the price which is very hard because money is a object. The Germans tried to engineer the best no matter what the costs were and would charge "whatever" to get the desired final product. The domestic car manufactors that are in the business of volume don't have such a luxury because americans don't make the wages to support such a method. that is why we have brands which reflect class and Cadillac I admit hasn't always had the product to reflect the price. However both lemko and I were fortunate enough to experience that with our 2002' Cadillac Seville STS's which gave us a nicely engineered final product for the price. My 02' Seville STS saved my life and I will always be greatful that GM, engineered that car well enough to absorb a 60-70 mph impact and have me walk away with only a concussion and and scrapes.
Cadillac, will always be "Swiss Made" in my eyes but in this case the workers were UAW and the Engineering was General Motors.
Like I said this is "Our Country" and Cadillac is "Our Car" just like the Silverado is our truck !!!! Well actually the 07' GMC Sierra Denali is my truck !!!
Rocky
ROCKY: That's the problem...what people "think" is really important. Whether the Swiss actually make the best watch doesn't matter as long as everyone thinks they do.
The prius is sold for a loss. Every single one of those is a money losing proposition for Toyota but look at all of the goodwill it buys them.
The NSX was sold for a loss as well but added another level to acura that Lexus and Infiniti could not touch.
The Veryon is sold at a HUGE LOSS. I don't remember exactly how much but I think VAG loses a couple of million dollars on every car they sell.
I think this is the only way Caddy could build a top tier(leading role) level car without having the proper supporting cast underneath.
I honestly can't believe how much I've missed pal. You own a very nice Cadillac, and should be very proud of it. It's lighting quick and is a performance icon. If I had your car I'd be on Cadillac's shopping page picking me up a "V" watch, coat, shirts, etc etc etc..... I know a few bashers are only here to bash anything GM. It's really ashame a few people live in the past !!!! We've have admitted GM, didn't always have the "standard of the world" but gosh they continue and find a way to bash GM's latest offerings. I just can't see where or how they could ????? It's a amazing read....You keep your chin up and be very proud of your car pal. I hope at some point we can get on a positive note.
Rocky
That can include demanding that the car be returned to the dealer for regular maintenance and doing recalls and upgrades during those visits so the owners and other people won't know problems have been corrected on the vehicle? That really helps the concept image of some vehicles. At least until the laws regarding recalls got changed and they are more public knowledge now?
That reminds me of a coworker who had his station wagon of a certain brand back in and they were redoing the rear brakes during the service visit... because they have problems with them wearing quickly.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
1<2<3<4...
WOW......Dude you amaze me with your negativity. I'm can't believe you think a plumber is more "worthy" or important than a UAW worker. The UAW worker has to worry about people lives with what he/she assembles togeather and passes as quality. A typical plumber puts a pipe togeather and welds it or uses a gasket to lock two pipes togeather. It's not much different than what a UAW pipe welder does. It's apples to apples and the UAW worker doesn't get $75+ an hour and most pipe fitters i know work for a company.
I don't see why that isn't a apples to apples arguement. :confuse:
Rocky
Can't see #4s dashboard very well but seems harmonious, and the interior looks like mid-luxury car.
Lets not, that was some 20 years ago and times change. Lets stay in the present.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Will do in a few ......You know I always love e-mail from my ol' pal imidazol97
I honestly can't believe what I've read so far. My god being away for a week and thinking the note especially of this forum would be positive ????? Boy I was wrong !!!!! :sick:
Rocky
"lemko, by the way, have you forgotten to mention that the plumber uses his own money to buy equipments, transportation, and pay for advertisement. Also, he probably doesn't get jobs back to back so in other words he doesn't work 8 hour straight everyday from Monday to Friday like the UAW workers do.
So again, let's stick with apples to apples okay?
I am interesting to see the comparison between UAW workers' wages and import workers'. Does anyone know where I can find that information?"
All that I was trying to point out is that UAW workers work on a fixed schedule, have a fix income and their medicare (as well as their family's) are covered by the company. Also they receive pension and 401K. On the other hand what does the plumbers have? They have to pay for everything out of their own pocket so to compare a UAW worker's wage to a plumber's is no way an apples to apples comparison.
I may be a "domestics basher" or "imports lover" but I am by no means unreasonable.
Sorry, but I honestly wasn't trying to put words in your mouth but was observing.
Rocky
Thanx for the e-mail and find.
Rocky
The Photos someone posted have Old versions of Ford/GM with newer versions of Hondas and Toyotas. What are the years on those, Snake?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
BTW what Caddy is that? I know that for a period having dashes that you could lay stuff on was popular but it doesn't look like any Cadillacs I've seen. I often browse through the (barely) used offerings at a Cadillac only lot in a small town nearby.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
In contrast later I saw the ad for the Sebring with the outside panels looking flimsy and wrinkling up and down to show its innards. It actually turned me off with the skirts going up and down. The first views of the whole car were appealing because of the profile... Perhaps I'm not the target audience who like the wrinkling panels view.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,