Cadillac BLS Already Flopped?

[Andaluz]

Cadillac BLS a Bust in Europe?
6/15/2006 | - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER


Mediocre car + Poor brand recognition + Non-exclusive dealerships + Brilliant German and Japanese competition = FLOP!


Despite lowering expectations for its Euro-only BLS sedan all the way down to around 7,000 to 10,000 units annually, it appears Cadillac was still a bit too optimistic with the car's chances for success in the old country. The FWD sedan that's based on the Saab 9-3 and built alongside the Swede in the company's Trollhatan factory has sold a little over 400 units after being on sale since April, with the month of May being its first full sales month. Trollhatan has slowed its production of the car down to 30 units a week. When the BLS launched the factory was producing that many cars per day. At this pace GM/Saab is on track to produce only 1,560 cars a year, a number well off any of GM's original targets.

Despite the slow start, the BLS is still the best selling Cadillac in Europe so far this year. The BLS has also been fairly well received by the European automotive press and dealers are reporting many requests for test drives, so don't count out Cadillac's chances for success in Europe just yet.

Source: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

[Osnabrueck]

Mediocre car + Poor brand recognition + Non-exclusive dealerships + Brilliant German and Japanese competition = FLOP!

I disagree with the abovelittle bit. Mostly that Japanese competition has nothing to do with the BLS getting harpooned in sales.

I pontificated at length in another thread about how outsiders have the cards stacked heavily against them in Europe, especially when we're talking about luxury brands. Infiniti take note - Europe is tough to penetrate.

[warot]

That's really depressing for GM. 30 cars being built a week? That is peanuts. Even worst when they are only selling 1500 units rather than 7000. That's only 21 percent. I really do hope they start doing well though, because Cadillac is the only American car company that I kind of like.

[Merc1]

Europeans are no more fooled by a Saabillac than Americans are fooled by a Trailsaab. Just look at the thing, my gawd who in their right mind would have thought this thing would sell? Another fine GM product.

I do agree that it has nothing to do with the Japanese cars on sale in Europe, especially those in the luxury sector.

M

[SDNR]

Very sad -- for God's sake what is wrong with GM -- I know some of you really like these new generation Cadillacs -- but seriously, they look horrible and are badly made.

Cadillac could still be a great brand again ...but it would take huge and dramatic changes ...so I can't see that happening ...probably ever.

[Centurion]

Look here with people having the alternative of buying a 3er, IS, A4 and C-class I'm having a hard time understanding how anyone would buy this crappy caddy instead.

[BMW_Dude]

Originally Posted by Roberto

Very sad -- for God's sake what is wrong with GM -- I know some of you really like these new generation Cadillacs -- but seriously, they look horrible and are badly made.

I know this isn't a very good car, but on looks alone I'd buy it, I think it looks great, and if it was like 5k cheaper, I'd definately buy one over a Vecter, although definately not an Accord!

[siko]

Just look how lame the car looks (it actually looks scared)! It screams FLOP!

[Yannis]

Cadillacs are really rare here is Greece but from the couple of ones (SRX and STS) i have seen i have to agree with the rest of you guys: Mediocre products that cant be compared to the German competition.
The only reason someone might consider one is the exclusivity since Caddys are not a common sight.