Automotive News reports that designers have already created clay models and are awaiting the green light from top management. Speaking with reporters at last week’s Geneva Motor Show, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz and Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor revealed the problems that GM is facing in regards to the new CTS family as well as even more all-new models.
Such issues included whether they should build a high-end ultra-luxury sedan priced above $150,000 or a new entry-level model priced under $30,000. Lutz is open to the idea of a new cheaper model, but Taylor prefers to keep the CTS range as the lowest-priced Caddy in the US with the front-drive BLS to remain strictly in Europe. Finally, execs are questioning whether to keep the top-selling front-drive DTS sedan in its lineup or drop it and stick with the rear-drive STS.
Two key executives are pushing for the introduction of the high-end model with both the V16 Sixteen and V12 Cien sports concept coming up in discussions. Both projects are continually delayed, with Lutz admitting, "we always wind up pushing it out one more year because we have other, more pressing priorities." Cadillac’s main priority right now is to sell more vehicles outside of the US, where the increased volume would give it increased economies of scale and would allow for the introduction of more models.