Cadillac eyes BMW 1 Series fighter for Europe

[siko]

Bold move for GM
Cadillac eyes BMW 1 Series fighter for Europe

General Motors might have its hands full getting its North American operations into order and profitability, but signs are it won’t ignore other potentially lucrative areas of its world-wide business.

Witness secret plans AutoWeek uncovered for a new rear-wheel drive entry-level Cadillac slotted beneath the European price leading BLX model. The BLX is a front-drive sedan built by Saab in Sweden and sold throughout Europe.

According to GM product czar Bob Lutz this new small Caddy is among a throng of proposals before the corporation as an internal study aimed at widening Cadillac’s brand appeal and sales potential. This comes following steps taken earlier in the year to raise the profile of GM’s flagship division across Europe.

Lutz points to the popularity of that market segment as a reason why GM is considering a move down market. Such a car would compete against the Audi A3, BMW 1-Series and Mercedes-Benz A class.

“The BMW 1-Series has been extremely well accepted in the market place and shows what can be done when you do things right,” Lutz told AutoWeek at the Paris motor show. “We are investigating the possibility of a new four-cylinder model. Nothing is signed off but we’re working [on it.]”

Lutz won’t cite specifics on the proposed entry-level Cadillac. However, he hints heavily that it will boast a longitudinally mounted engine and rear-drive layout similar to the BMW—itself reliant on the 3-Series in terms of mechanical make-up.

“We’re looking at the possibility of rear-wheel drive, but nothing is decided. [This configuration] provides the best possible basis for agility” he said of such a car’s road manners.

Without an existing rear-drive platform, speculation is that GM will green-light an all-new structure for a range of new models, including a rear-drive successor to BLX.

Lutz rules out the possibility of Cadillac using a shortened Zeta platform. Those underpinnings are on the new Holden Commodore in Australia, and are planned for the coming Pontiac Grand Prix successor as well as the re-born Chevrolet Camaro due in ‘09. “It doesn’t make good engineering sense to make a large platform and go down. You never really get rid of the weight properly,” he said. Such comments have focused attention on the Holden Torana TT36 concept, a car based on an unnamed rear-drive platform and similar in size the BMW 3-Series, displayed in 2004.

Though Lutz won’t confirm as much, it appears GM might rely on its Aussie outpost to again engineer a new platform on which a generation of models will ride. Holden held point for the Zeta structure which received praise from Lutz, who called the Commodore “the best car GM has ever done” in Paris.

Adding further to speculation, Lutz contends a new platform would not only be required to support a rear-drive configuration, but four-wheel drive as well.

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[SDNR]

GM just don't get it do they. The Cadillac brand needs to strengthen its image at the high end of the market first, before it delves into compact cars -- there are other GM brands that could cater to that market. Why tarnish the Cadillac brand even further. Cadillac was once one of the greatest car-makers in the world, but they haven't made a decent vehicle since the very early 60s.

[Imhotep Evil]

Who knows ?!

[Just_me]

if Lexus is having problems in Europe I cant see GM succeed either.

[Imhotep Evil]

Originally Posted by Just_me

if Lexus is having problems in Europe I cant see GM succeed either.

Lutz probably knows the importance of diesels and manual transmisions.