Cadillac brand competes with European luxury brands from 1980-2002
In 1981, the smallest Cadillac Cimarron launched
Since the 1980s, many European luxury car brands have stood on the footsteps in the US market, which forced the native American premium car brands to adopt new product strategies for their competitors. In 1981, GM launched the smallest car in Cadillac’s history, Cimarron. Cimarron and Pontiac 2000, are based on the “J” class, which was launched to compete with small imported models like the BMW 320 and 325i.
In 1985, the standard Cadillac Ville was completely redesigned. The length of the Ville series has been shortened, and the front wheel drive was used like the Buick Ilekra and Osmore Bill 98. (It is common practice in the automotive industry to share certain components. Especially in the US, Henry M. Rayland believed that “parts universal” can create a bright future for the automotive industry.) In 1986, in order to further cater to younger and more demanding customers, Cadillac began to introduce a functional car in the Ville series: the Tuling Car. The Tuling has fog lights, tail bumpers, 15-inch aluminum wheels, black tires, faster speeds and better steering.
Cadillac brand products became more global in 1987-1997
In 1987 Cadillac launched its most distinctive model, the Allante two-seat convertible. This model was based on the shortened Aldorado/Seve chassis. Its body and internal equipment were airlifted from the Italian Pierre Farina manufacturing plant using the 747 transport aircraft, and then assembled in the United States. At the lowest price of $57,183 and Limited of 6000 vehicles, it was the most expensive and least produced model in Cadillac. It changed the landscape of the ultra-luxury sedan that has been dominated by European cars. Therefore, Cadillac has become a symbol of luxury cars in the eyes of the American people and even the people of the world. The White House has also chosen it as a presidential car.
In 1997, Cadillac launched the European luxury car catera for those who like European-style customers. Catera is designed by European and American engineers based on the Opel omega mv6 and produced in Germany. According to the German highway, the design uses a powerful v6 engine and rear-wheel drive. In order to maintain the characteristics of the Cadillac luxury car, catera offers better comfort and convenience than its rivals.
The 1999 Cadillac Coupé is available in two models: the regular catera and the catera with leather interior. Safety equipment includes dual airbags, ABS anti-lock devices, traction controls, emergency lights and warning lights that can warns the driver that the road may be icy. A new electric door lock and a warning light that warns the driver when the loadable fuel cap is loose. The catera is powered by a 3.0-liter, 200-horsepower V6 engine with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Since 2003, the new century of Cadillac brand development
In 2003, Cadillac CTS led the advent of new styles
In 2003, Cadillac demonstrated its excellence. In addition to the new CTS sedan, the XLR luxury sports car and the SRX luxury sports utility vehicle were unveiled. GM described the Cadillac CTS as the “21st Century Cadillac Classic”. It’s the first model to sell to the market that with a popular concept car shape design, incorporating straight lines and lengthy headlights into Cadillac’s traditional lattice grille.
The Cadillac XLR was known for its new styling concept and avant-garde bold design. The XLR pays more attention to the performance of the chassis and the structure of the body. The new 4.6-liter Big Dipper V-8VVT (interchange-valve) rear-wheel-drive engine makes this car the lightest and most powerful in its class. Another major feature of the XLR is its retractable roof. Pushing the button, the XLR can be converted from a sports car to a convertible in less than 30 seconds.
The birth of SRX announced Cadillac’s entry into the luxury sports utility vehicle market. Based on the new Sigma model that is popular with GM, the SRX features a new generation 4.6-liter Polaris V-8VVT and a new 3.6-liter V-6VVT engine. The uniform weight distribution, low center of gravity, outstanding drive train combination, and extensive use of automotive stability technology made the SRX a truly fun-to-drive utility vehicle.
The Cadillac sedan has had many unforgettable unique designs and technological innovations in its centuries-old history, which has made it to be long-lasting in luxury car market. Over the past 100 years, Cadillac’s major breakthroughs in technology have had a huge and far-reaching impact on the automotive industry.
Cadillac brand memorabilia
1899 – Detroit Motor Company founded
1902 – Detroit Motor Company changed its name to Cadillac
1906 – Cadillac production set a record of 4,307 vehicles
1907 – GM acquired Cadillac
1908 – Cadillac successfully achieved standardized production
1909 – Cadillac officially joined General Motors
1912 – Cadillac became the first company to equip its car with electronic start-up, lighting and ignition
1914 – Cadillac launches the first 8-cylinder engine in the United States
1929-1930 – Synchronous gear system and safety glass as standard equipment on Cadillac models
1941 – Cadillac becomes the second largest manufacturer of fully automatic transmission vehicles
1949 – Cadillac produced one million Cadillac cars
1975 – The launched Sevi is a small, international standard size Cadillac
1977 – Cadillac developed to small car mode is a response to the 1973 oil crisis
1981 – Cadillac launches the smallest model ever – Cimarron
1985 – Standard Cadillac Ville car was completely redesigned
1987 – Cadillac launches its most distinctive model – the Allant two-seat convertible
1997 – Cadillac launched the European luxury car catera
2003 – Cadillac released the CTS sedan
