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I'm wondering if one of Cadillac's problems is the bold styling? You don't see much of that with the Germans and when Lexus has applied it, I'm not so sure it has been all that successful.
I think Caddilac's problem is a) they're making super low volume vehicles like the CTS coupe, wagon and ELR. and b) they're targeting buyers who would never consider a Cadillac (or a Lincoln for that matter).
http://www.autonews.com/article/20141024/RETAIL03/141029873/ford-plans-to-overhaul-lincoln-with-5-billion-push-report-says
I still think we'll see something based on the mustang platform.
We'll see.
The automotive graveyard is filled with great cars.
Some will quickly counter that Audi has achieved success while using FWD architecture. My answer is that there are always exceptions. Acura, Volvo, Lincoln, and of course Saab, have been much less successful with their cars in recent years. I'm not saying that RWD is a magic bullet, only that it's a positive differentiator in the luxury segment. That's especially true for sedans and sporty cars.
Not a huge difference but slightly better than a transverse setup.
It also allows larger engines and more power to be sent to the rear including continuously like Audi's Quattro. And the same engine can be used for FWD, AWD and RWD applications.
The driver said they were meticulous with maintenance but otherwise just drove them. The idea of having to replace them at some point really wasn't on their radar.
Bad News for Ford's and General Motors' Luxury Brands (fool.com)
If they were selling the same vehicles now that they were 8-12 years ago then it might mean something but they're not.
And that's IF the numbers are accurate. I have a feeling that was probably a very small sample from Edmunds since I don't think automakers or dealers regularly report such statistics.
Don't get your automotive predictions from the Fool.
Harley Davidson did the same exact thing decades ago and it helped them immensely. Now a gentleman can ride a Harley and hopefully, someone under 80 can drive a Cadillac and the Lincoln.
You don't have to build the best car, (or motorcycle) in the world---in fact, neither Lincoln nor Harley could build it, at least not at a price point that made any sense whatsoever.
So rather than compete with Lexus or Mercedes, what you do is come close enough, and add value + an attractive New Image.
I know---sounds simple on paper---but it isn't of course.
A friend of mine, my age (30s) is still won over by the MKZ and would consider one when his Prius lease is up, so the brand isn't completely hopeless.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
My friend has probably been described as a lunatic, maybe it's a demographic Lincoln can chase. I know what his next car won't be. He's fascinated by the MKZ pano roof, and doesn't mind the premium over a loaded Fusion - but the lease rates the last time he looked weren't terribly competitive.
But hey, how about those BMW killers?
Do you really think they should delay the launch of a brand new vehicle with a brand new engine just because the new version of an infotainment system isn't ready yet? How does that make any sense?
Isn't the 2.7LEB with 330 hp and 370+ lb/ft of torque more important and more relevant?
Ford made a big splash at NAIAS with the GT (WOW!!!), the 2017 Raptor and 350GTR. I wonder though if more effort could have been put into bringing more mainstream models to market sooner. Lincoln is doing well with the MKC and MKZ, but badly needs more products. No one should even buy the MKS, given how it is so outclassed by the competition, and the MKT hardly even counts as a model with its slow sales. Maybe Lincoln will pull some surprises in the next year or two, like Ford did with the awesone awesome awesome GT, and Buick with its Avenir concept (an extraordinarily beautiful large car).
Here's hoping. I must say it is refreshing to see some unexpected product proposals. Ford kept rumors of another GT under tight wraps until just a few months ago, and no drawings or photos were leaked. I kinda like that.
Anymore, not having a USB port is a deal killer for me.
(Whew, yeah, it has at least one and a slot. Thought I was going to have to sell my Ford stock for a minute there. A Sync3 delay I can sort of understand but there's a lot of demand for tech now).
The point was that MFT was and is still just fine as an infotainment system now that they've stabilized it. I believe it has all the features that the competition has and maybe more. It certainly doesn't put them at a disadvantage against the competition yet. And I do still think we'll see something better from Lincoln within the next year.
If Lincoln is doing everything wrong and Caddy is doing everything right, why are Lincoln sales up and Caddy sales down? And why are they cutting CTS prices?
What good does it do to have great products like ATS and CTS if you can't sell them in sufficient volume or at target prices?
When Lincoln does roll out great new products they'll have an upgraded dealer experience, black label customizations, high end Revel audio and other exclusive features that Caddy won't have.
And since Lincoln has been profitable for several years now, there is no hurry.
Timex can't sell $5K watches and Cadillac can't sell BMWs at BMW prices yet. Neither can Lincoln but they understand that and are going after what they can sell and make a profit. It may not be sexy but one allows you to stay in business and the other doesn't.
Cadillac should be spending money helping dealers upgrade their facilities and experience and building vehicles that their buyers want instead of alienating their buyers going for conquest sales that aren't there.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Cadillac CTS 31,115
Cadillac ATS 29,890
Cadilac XTS 24,335
Cadillax SRX 53,578
Cadillac Escalade 30,552
Total: 170,750
Lincoln MKZ 34,009
Lincoln MKS 8,160
Lincoln MKC 13,077
Lincoln MKX 23,995
Lincoln MKT 4,800
Lincoln Navigator 10,433
Total: 94.474
Both brands are making some good to excellent vehicles now but they have taken different approaches - Lincoln by building off thinly-disguised Ford vehicles, while Cadillac has done that in a couple of cases (XTS and Escalade) while using unique platforms for others. It is a different strategy that may allow them to sell at higher price points. It takes time to build a brand back up. Both may succeed. Results will only be known over the long term. For my needs, I prefer what Cadillac has to offer right now. But the overall market will decide over time. You probably can't go wrong with either.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
It's understandable that people like Caddy's vehicles and therefore try to rationalize their business model as opposed to Lincoln's, but in the end it's about being profitable and Caddy has a bigger road ahead of them than Lincoln does.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Lincoln is also putting a lot of effort into upgrading dealerships and dealer experiences which Caddy also needs desperately. And Black Label customized designs. Luxury buyers want this stuff more than they want RWD.