Cadillac Could Bring the BLS and BRX to the US

[YSSMAN]

Cadillac is considering adding a small crossover to its U.S. lineup in an effort to gain a foothold in the lower end of the luxury segment. Company General Manager Jim Taylor told Edmunds GM division was considering bringing the forthcoming BRX crossover to America. The BRX has been rumored since last year, but was previously expected to be sold in Europe only. The car would be offered with four-cylinder engines, which Taylor says shouldn't be a problem to consumers, since they "don't count cylinders." Cadillac also plans to sell its Europe-only BLS sedan in America, according to supplier sources cited by Edmunds. Taylor would not confirm the rumors, but sources say the vehicle will be updated for the 2009 model year, and then imported to America. Lastly, Taylor said there were no immediate plans for an S-Class or 7-Series competitor, but such a vehicle is a "necessity," and would arrive eventually.

Bollocks...

Even as a GM guy, I can see how stupid this is. They often say that the mantra at Cadillac here in the US is "Remember the Cimarron" (the Cimarron being a rebadged Chevrolet Cavalier at the time). Could the BLS be the same thing? I say yes...

Face it, there isn't any point to brining the car to the US. They allready have the CTS sitting on the bottom at Cadillac, and once the BLS is imported to the US, they would cost nearly the same. All it would do is canibalize Saab and Saturn sales of their Epsilon-based models, and thats about it. Even then, I doubt they would sell many, that even counts in domestic-dominated Michigan.

As for the BRX, I can see the point, but I'm skeptical to say the least. Could it succeed? Certainly... They are going to need to be able to steal sales from the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, etc. But even then you have to wonder, whats the point? Sure, only Cadillac owners will be able to afford SUVs a few years down the road, but most Cadillac folks (I presume) would want the full-size Escalade over a smaller crossover "sissy" SUV. Maybe folks looking for the "image" would go for it, but that doesn't guarantee success.

Oh well, atleast it isn't offical news yet...

 

[niky]

It didn't sell as a Saab, and it didn't sell as a Caddy in Europe... and now they're bringing it to the US? Caddy doesn't need to move downmarket from where it is. GM should take a long hard look at what it and Ford used to do in the name of volume, and how many "premium" marquees suffered from that.

 

[Tornado]

The difference between the Cimmaron and the BLS is that the BLS is probably the best car Cadillac sells right now (yeah yeah, complain all you want about how amazing the CTS and STS are for Cadillac's image, and how they have started the new form of Cadillac. Doesn't make them better cars, just better driver's cars).
If they were to sell the BLS here, I think their might even be a chance for them to outsell the CTS on the grounds of a small old person Cadillac. It would at worst pull weird people out of Saab showrooms and... whoever the hell buys Saturns out of Saturn showrooms. And the wagon version of the BLS may potentially take off, as the time is just about right to sell it here.

 

[JCE]

Lets see pics and specs so everyone can be informed.

 

[Tornado]

I assume you mean the BLS, so here.

 

[Ghost C]

Stupid. Cadillac owners don't count cylinders? Yeah right. There's a reason the Cimarron sold like ass - Because it was a pile of crap based on some worthless GM platform with a 4 cylinder (Sounds like the BLS, doesn't it?). If you can afford a Cadillac, you don't want a 4 cylinder, period.

I personally think anything wearing a Cadillac badge that doesn't have a V8 or larger is a poser car.

 

[JCE]

Stupid. Cadillac owners don't count cylinders? Yeah right. There's a reason the Cimarron sold like ass - Because it was a pile of crap based on some worthless GM platform with a 4 cylinder (Sounds like the BLS, doesn't it?). If you can afford a Cadillac, you don't want a 4 cylinder, period.

I personally think anything wearing a Cadillac badge that doesn't have a V8 or larger is a poser car.

+1 100% agreed on this post. Choices need to be 4.9L V8 + 5.7L V8 + 6.0L V8, nothing more nothing less.

 

[Tornado]

Stupid. Cadillac owners don't count cylinders? Yeah right. There's a reason the Cimarron sold like ass - Because it was a pile of crap based on some worthless GM platform with a 4 cylinder (Sounds like the BLS, doesn't it?). If you can afford a Cadillac, you don't want a 4 cylinder, period.

Yeah, but other than the engine and driving dynamics, the BLS is a fundamentally better car than the CTS is. Otherwise, I agree.

 

[High-Test]

The Saab 9-3 is the best sedan GM makes. Period.

All of the good new ones have essentially been 9-3 spawn. The Aura and the Malibu are both 9-3 based. But.. the 9-3 is the only one that gets the trurbo 2.8 V6. What's wrong with more Epsilon? It's a solid platform, it's sporty, responsive, fun to drive, what more do you want? I may detest front wheel drive with a passion, but I can count three Front wheel drive cars I'd willingly own: a new Saab 9-3(any model), a Saturn Aura, and a Citröen DS. The Saab 9-3 handles like a dream and gets great gas mileage. I'm confused as to why this car hasn't gotten very much love from buyers.



What's wrong with more 9-3 goodness?

I really want a set of 17" 9-5 wheels for the 9-3 I drive, btu they're $US 980...

But that's besides the point.

 

[harrytuttle]

Yeah, but other than the engine and driving dynamics, the BLS is a fundamentally better car than the CTS is. Otherwise, I agree.

I don't think that's how people will see it, though. It's kind of the same reason no one bought the VW Phaeton: it's a great car, but not with that badge. In this case, the BLS is a decent car, but just not the type expected from Cadillac, especially since they just spent 5 years trying to erase their endless run of front-wheel-drive cars.

The BLS makes perfect sense in Europe, where Cadillac is trying to get in from the bottom up; they can't compete image-wise with Audi/Mercedes/etc. In the US, they already have a long-standing image of being at the top (whether they really are or not), and bringing in a low-end car just doesn't make sense. At this point, it's counter-productive. It's three huge steps backwards for the brand, good car or not.

 

[ND4SPD]

I know what the BLS is, but what exactly is the BRX?

 

[YSSMAN]

The BRX, from my understanding of the rumors, will be based on the GMT960 platform to "split the difference" between the SRX and the Escalade. However, I have also herd that it will be smaller than the SRX, looking to chase after the smaller luxury crossovers out there today.

Conceptual Photo:

They have also said that the BRX may be sharing much of it's "stuff" with the Opel Antara, expected to come to the US as the next-gen Saturn VUE as well. Even more odd? It is also expected to be shared with Saab as well, to replace the 9-7X, and reportedly will be called the 9-4X...

Thus leading me to belive it will overall be smaller than the SRX and NOT based on the GMT960 platform.

---

On the BLS, it is just silly to bring it here. Let Saab continue on with their 9-3 sales, I don't want a Saabilliac. Bob Lutz has said many times before that bringing the car to the US would be pretty dumb given that the two models are similar in size, power, and price... Whats the justification?

Who knows. The only good I can see comming from this would be that Cadillac may get a diesel model sold in the US, but from what I understand, there are allready plans on the shelf to move the CTS to diesel power as well...

 

[Tornado]

On the BLS, it is just silly to bring it here. Let Saab continue on with their 9-3 sales, I don't want a Saabilliac. Bob Lutz has said many times before that bringing the car to the US would be pretty dumb given that the two models are similar in size, power, and price... Whats the justification?

Old people.

 

[YSSMAN]

My Grandparents are indeed "old people" (both over age 70) and love Cadillacs, but I'm positive they wouldn't go for this. Pricewise, it is going to be the same as the CTS, and with the next-gen CTS on the horizion, I don't see a reason for the BLS to be here.

...If they want to do another FWD Cadillac, its going to need to be a big coupe, and they are going to have to call it the ETC. There are plenty of Cadillac fans that miss their El Dorados, and I'm sure it would be a welcome addition to the lineup should it ever happen.

 

[niky]

I just have two (or three, if you don't count hyphenated) words that will sum up what the BLS means to Cadillac. Jaguar X-Type.

Good car, but a Jaguar?

 

[YSSMAN]

...Exactly. The Mondeo is a great Ford, but that doesn't translate well into a Jaguar. It would be much the same case with the Vectra is a great car, but the car does not translate well into Cadillacs portfolio.

 

[TopHat]

Didn't they do this in the 80's I don't think the Cimmaron worked out, this could be a little a'la Chevy Caprice?

 

[Tornado]

Didn't they do this in the 80's I don't think the Cimmaron worked out, this could be a little a'la Chevy Caprice?

Their is a difference. The Cimmaron was not only a piece of crap in itself, but it was built upon an entire platform of crap.
The BLS is not only the best Cadillac sold in the world right now, but it is built on the best 4-door sedan GM makes. Period.

 

[YSSMAN]

Didn't they do this in the 80's I don't think the Cimmaron worked out, this could be a little a'la Chevy Caprice?

You mean Cavalier?

The Caprice was, and still is, considered by most Chevrolet fans to be one of the best cars the company ever built, not a wanabe Civic. The Caprice made no apologies for being a full-size American sedan, and I still love the way they look even today... Particularly the '91-'96 Caprice/Impala models.

 

[TopHat]

No, I mean the Caprice, the Cimmaron= Cavalier

But BLS will lose money like the Caprice, at least in America

I'm talking about the Caprice that had the Fender skirts, and almost killed GM, not the great old car from the 70-80's decades.

 

[Tornado]

You do realise that the Caprice was a profitable car for GM, right; and the decision to pull the plug on it no one saw coming. The other variations of the car may hve lost money (Olds in particular), but the car overall was profitable for the ame reason the Crown Vic is today: They cost less than the Kia Rio to make (exagerration, but not as large of one as you may think), but they are sold for a huge premium.

 

[YSSMAN]

^ I'm going to second that one. Given that despite it's "revised" design overall, it was still quite "old" compared to other cars on sale at the time. The only things "new" about the 1991-1996 model was the exterior and interior, otherwise everything was a carry-over from it's predecessor that dated back to the late 1970s. Not a bad thing, as the car had a solid track record as something that was reliable, easy to operate, and quite comfortable to motor around with. The car was outrageously cost-effective for GM, but the biggest problem was that the W-Body cars were begining to step on the B-Body's toes, and with the later introduction of the K-Body, there really wasn't a need for the old Caprice/Impala/Roadmaster anymore.

...Fear not, the Caprice is on the comeback from what I understand. Granted it would presumably be sold as a modified version of the Commodore (aka Impala here), we would get the Senator as the Caprice instead of the actual Caprice from Australia. Did that make any sense?

 

[TopHat]

Which iteration are you talking about?

I'm talking about the final Generation.

It looks like a beached whale, and some share my opinion.

(THOSE AREN'T FENDER SKIRTS, IT COST THEM LESS MONEY TO NOT CUT A WHEEL WELL)

 

[YSSMAN]

Yes, the 1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala. Everything that wasn't the car's body or interior was lifted directly out of it's predecessor, the 1977-1990 Caprice/Impala. That means the car soldiered on with the same frame, suspension, axles, transmission, and 4.3/5.0/5.7L V8s...

...I don't even think they changed the seatbelts...

 

[Tornado]

Which means, in an ironic direct parallel to the Crown Vic, that the car was cheap as hell to make because tooling, development and similar such costs were non-existent.

 

[Jay]

...Fear not, the Caprice is on the comeback from what I understand. Granted it would presumably be sold as a modified version of the Commodore (aka Impala here), we would get the Senator as the Caprice instead of the actual Caprice from Australia. Did that make any sense?

So the US will be getting HSV's now?

 

[YSSMAN]

My understanding of the current lineup:

1) Pontiac: In the realm of the "arrowhead," we will be getting the Commodore SV6, SS, and SS-V models as the replacement for our current Grand Prix, to be renamed the "G8." Only the sport suspensions will be available, but they will remain much closer to the Aussie Commodore in look both inside and out. As for an HSV variant, it can't be ruled out, but at the moment I'm not sure if it is in the cards. The SS-V would probably be the equal to what would be our GXP...

The GTO on the other hand will certainly use the HSV stuff after it becomes available on the Commodore. I think this time there will be a "Judge" model, complete with more than 400 BHP, and performance that hopes to match that of the next-gen M3.

2) Chevrolet: As for Chevrolet, they will probably use most of the Commodore variants here, but they will be turned down a bit and be a bit more "average" than the Pontiac choises. The question becomes if Chevrolet wants to bring back the Caprice model varaint of the Impala, similar to the relationship to your Statesman and Caprice. The Senator version is a likely choise as an "Impala SS" or "Caprice SS" later on down the road, but would probably be a bit more soft than it's Aussie chassis-mates. The "core" model will be the Omega and Calais, assuming Chevrolet goes hard on V6 power, and a diesel version doesn't seem out of the question there...

Then of course there is the Monte Carlo, baisically the same as the GTO/Monaro, which will take after the Impala and be a bit "softer" overall. The Camaro will be the sportscar that comes from the Zeta chassis at Chevrolet, and even then it will be smaller than the Monaro from what I understand.

3) Buick will be getting the Statesman/Caprice as the Invicta/Statesman as well. Details are difficult to come by on the car, as it is on/off quite often.

 

[Jay]

The GTO on the other hand will certainly use the HSV stuff after it becomes available on the Commodore.

HSV stuff is already available on Zeta Commdores


HSV still makes most of the vehicles by hand (Besides Astra VXR) out of plain Holden donor cars. I don't think HSV could supply a demand for for Chevy Caprice SS, Chevy Impala SS and GTO Judge for the US market.

I don't personally think the US isnt going to rely on HSV to strongly except special limited models like maybe the 'Judge'. HSV isn't even fully controlled by GM, much of it is upto Tom Walkinshaw in the end.

 

[YSSMAN]

I doubt they will be built in Australia (the Pontiac might...), as GM keeps saying they want to build them in the US or Canada. Chances are we will "steal" the designs from HSV and "adapt" them to the US market via GMPD (General Motors Performance Division) and their assorted subsidiaries SS (Chevrolet), GXP (Pontiac), Red Line (Saturn), and V (Cadillac) to build and sell the vehilces nationwide. If I remember correctly, all of the GMPD models have their final assembly in Detroit, but I can't remember correctly...

Either way, I'm sure SLP will get in on the action as well, as they almost seem to be a part of GMPD. Oh, and I almost forgot. As soon as those first models hit the street, I'm sure companies like Lingenfelter, Malett, and GMMG will cram an LS7 under the hood as well...

(Thoughts of 505 BHP Impala SS' make me very excited!)

 

[Jay]

Chances are we will "steal" the designs from HSV and "adapt" them to the US market via GMPD (General Motors Performance Division) and their assorted subsidiaries SS (Chevrolet), GXP (Pontiac), Red Line (Saturn), and V (Cadillac).

Yeah, thats what I expect they will do.