For the past couple of years, the automotive industry and consumers alike have watched General Motors try to rally the "Motor City" and bring some much - needed life back into its shaky brand. However, amidst all the drama surrounding the numerous recalls that have been issued by GM, it's kind of hard to get behind the cause - at least for this automotive giant.
The news doesn't get any better, as Today, according to an article published on Car & Driver, World-Renown brand Cadillac will be moving their Marketing and Executive Functions bay-side to the SoHo Manhattan Area of New York City to operate as a stand - alone business unit. Though the Manufacturing and Engineering will continue to work in Detroit, that's not how it's going to remain, as they also stated that eventually, these departments will be following suit; and immediately, the question rises - what exactly has been happening over at General Motors?
We'll start with the infamous Ignition Switch Recall; the benchmark spark that set GM alite when it was made known that not only were the ignition switches faulty, but that the company had known about the problems surrounding millions of GM - produced vehicles way before issuing the recalls. This, in turn led to a series of nasty and fallacious lawsuits, testimonies, court dates, and employment termination that seemed to completely compromise the company's reputation. So what exactly is Cadillac's reasoning for moving their offices out of the Renaissance Center? Apparently they want to broaden their horizons and incorporate the Cadillac name into a more trendy market.
According to the report issued by GM to Car and Driver, the company wanted the brand to become "immersed in the premium lifestyle" of New York - which has some validity to it. Next year, Cadillac will be launching their newest S-Class fighting flagship sedan in New York, rumored to be called the LTS, although according to C&D, is a name that has not been officially finalized, though it has been confirmed that production will be based in the same Detroit plant that once produced the Eldorado ad the Seville, and currently produces the Volt, Malibu, Impala, and Cadillac's ELR.
My thoughts on this can be paraphrased to a simple question - if Cadillac seems to be signing the pre-nups now, could they be going the way of now independent brand, Lincoln, or will they be more like the short - lived SRT brand if they do go solo?
Cadillac has long been seen by many as the brand that signifies what American cars should be like - comfortable, big, leathery and soft on the roads. Lately though, changing market conditions, and a need to get itself away from the ancient demographic that still has this idea about the brand have morphed Cadillac into a more perfomance - based appeal, which has worked for the most part.
I believe that this is the first of many following actions to come within the brand, and could be the start of their reign to become an independent auto maker, so as to avoid the constant drama that has brought into question the quality of the cars that General Motors Produces. Sure, now they are saying that only Cadillac's Marketing and executive functions will be relocated, but keep in mind as I mentioned at the beginning of this article, they also made it clear that Engineering and other parts of the business will be following suit as well - so let me put it to you: Does the empire brand have what it takes to make things happen in the Empire state?
I suppose it's best to keep a close eye on Cadillac as they prepare to launch the LTS
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