sold a CT6 this week

[Scot Minesinger]

Many people still do not know about a CT6.  Somehow Cadillac has got to get the word out.

Had to hire a ride last week (could have done cab or uber), but this only happens once a year or so and employed a limo service.  This is not as expensive of a service as limo because you get picked up in a late model luxury normal sedan and the driver is professional and knows the route.  Anyway this chauffer was driving a Lincoln front drive 6 cylinder, and we got to talking and he was thinking of buying one of these new himself.  He mentioned that he thought the XTS was not really worth it.  He did not even know a CT6 existed.  I suggested it, he brought it up on his phone and seemed really pleased with it.  This driver has served me before and probably will again in the future. 

He wanted to buy his own luxury sedan because his employer offered a higher pay if the chauffer used their own luxury sedan instead of a company vehicle.  Let's hope the next time I see him he picks me up in a CT6.

Hopefully more people learn about the CT6.  Living in prosperous DC metropolitan area, with five of the ten richest Counties in the Country, I do not see to many CT6's driving around.  When I see one they stand out, kind of like in 2006 when the new Dodge Charger came out.

[30326]

CT6 is part of the problem. All these 3-letter combinations are. They mean nothing. XTS, CT6, BLS or whatever. Give the car a proper name.

Cadillac used to have names on cars that told something. Like Eldorado or DeVille. Now the names means nothing and because of that people don't know about Cadillac. You can still buy a Impala or a Mustang. You would know what these names stand for. But Cadillac got rid of its complete heritage when removing the proper model names.

[Caddyholic]

At a glance I can't tell a ATS from a CTS or a XTS  or a CT6

[Big Apple Caddy]

Many people still do not know about a CT6.  Somehow Cadillac has got to get the word out.

Cadillac spent a lot of money promoting/advertising the CT6, even before it officially went on sale early last year.  It has also gotten a lot of press online.  I guess no matter how much press and advertising something gets or how easily accessible information is online (e.g., automaker websites, third party vehicle information and pricing sites, forums, etc), there will still always be people ignorant to what is available in the market.   I really don't think CT6’s low sales are due to lack of "getting the word out."  Lincoln has been promoting the Continental a good amount too plus the return of "Continental" got a lot of press and yet its sales are low as well.  There just isn't the market right now for these types of cars like there used to be.

[Big Apple Caddy]

CT6 is part of the problem. All these 3-letter combinations are. They mean nothing. XTS, CT6, BLS or whatever. Give the car a proper name.

Cadillac used to have names on cars that told something. Like Eldorado or DeVille. Now the names means nothing and because of that people don't know about Cadillac. You can still buy a Impala or a Mustang. You would know what these names stand for. But Cadillac got rid of its complete heritage when removing the proper model names.

The new Lincoln Continental has a "proper name" and yet its sales are low compared to past times too.  Cadillac has been using 3-letter names for a while now.   Like them or not (I don't like them, myself), I don't think U.S. sales declines in their car lines can be blamed that much on the model names.

Despite its well known and proper name, Impala sales have been declining rapidly too.

[Rich S]

It seems to me, the Cadillac sedans almost "overlap" one another. There is little differentiation in their outward appearances, unless you are an enthusiast. They are sized within inches of one another. The CT6 lacks enough of the customary Cadillac design cues--the trunk center crease could be more prominent, the tail lamps are too much like the S-Class (rather than Cadillac-like), and of course, the wreath is gone from the crest. Cadillacs have always been about style. The interior does not quite measure up to the price level, unless perhaps the Platinum version is chosen. With some tweaking, the CT6 could be selling much more than it does. Although I love the Cadillac brand, and I have driven a CT6, I do not find the CT6 compelling enough to rush to order one. I also do not prefer the alpha-numeric names, but they're not a "deal breaker."

[Big Apple Caddy]

They are sized within inches of one another.

I think the current Cadillac sedans are reasonably diverse size-wise.  They fall into three EPA size classifications: compact, midsize and large.  As far as overall length, the largest sedan (CT6) is over 21 inches longer than the smallest (ATS).  There have been many times in Cadillac's history where the length differences between the sedans were similar/comparable to today.

[Scot Minesinger]

Point is here is a qualified buyer who is in the market for car just like CT6 and does not even know it existed- he was probably 35 years old and he did know about XTS.  Clearly, the name although not what I would have chosen, was not a barrier - plus no way would I not buy a wonderful car due to the name unless it was horrifically derogatory (unlikely).

Probably it is just that for what ever reason Cadillac marketing did not reach him.  He was a super high tech connected guy.  He had two phones going, one because Google Maps is better than the nav. system in the Lincoln, and another to communicate and look up stuff like CT6.  Well in any event he does know now and the info was delivered in time to possibly snag a CT6 sale.

I have seen CT6's on the road and do not have any trouble distinguishing them from lesser Cadillac models, that may well be me.  The Lincoln Continental is on the road now, but in lesser numbers (my experience) than Cadillac CT6 - looks decent, but the best you will ever do is an eco boost 6, whereas Cadillac may have a V-8 in the CT6 - that is the hope.

Maybe Cadillac needs to get one shot in an extremely favorable position in a cool new block buster movie?  Clearly the 54k price, great mileage (with 4 cyl) and longest top of the line model needs to be told to the world.  Billboards on major highways in cities where traffic jams occur regularly?

[59-in-pieces]

I saw a commercial recently by Cadillac that made me stop and listen, AND LOOK.
A Cadillac sedan being touted - pimped - to go 200 miles per hour.
Who cares if you will ever go that fast - everyone else knows you can & more importantly - so do you.
The 200 MPH is the hook - certainly not its looks, clone at best of other makes.

I say.
Hammer the speed aspect and then big time tweak the styling to be stunningly and INSTANTLY recognizable as a GO FAST CAD - then who cares what the numbers and letters stand for.
The car MUST be recognizable - distinguishable - in an instant - by its looks = I WANT ONE (oh and it goes fast too).

IMHO.
Have fun,
Steve B.

PS
Like a dog with a bone, for God's sake dump the meaningless "think greatly" - also tagged in the commercial text at the end.

[59-in-pieces]

Scot,
I twigged to your comment about getting Cads into the movies - or better in my view, MADE FOR TV SERIES.

It is beginning to happen.
There is a series on TV called APB - plot Billionaire takes over failing Police precinct.
Totally upgrades everything to state of the art tech to catch the bad guys.

And what kind of new police cars do they have - wait for it - 200 MPH CADILLACS.
There may be some license with the body kit - ground effects - can't be sure.
But, more of this kind of Cadillacs in action exposure, I think would help bolster recognition outside the luxury sedan box to something more exciting - visceral.

I'm just say'n.
Have fun,
Steve B.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

For me, this was the last truly memorable Cadillac commercial.

Drive the Dream (1999).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u2KFRwLK6k

[Bill Young]

I respect every ones opinion. My Mother used to say every ones different that's why they make chocolate and Vanilla. For me a Car has to stir up something inside me when I see it AND when I drive it. The Cadillac's from 1953 thru 1979 trip my trigger and I must not be totally alone as Cadillac sold over 350,000 cars in 1979. Now I know that due to regulations and things they cannot produce clones of those cars BUT when did luxury in a cars definition become a short 4 door pillared sedan in white , gray , silver or black vehicle that you cannot order a front bench seat in that goes really fast as it's biggest selling point ? Not to me anyway. I am not trying to be a jerk but if Cadillac ever wanted me to enter their showroom again they are heading in the wrong direction in my opinion. We own and drive a 2016 Dodge Hemi Shaker Challenger , a 1972 Eldorado Convertible and a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi Rumblebee. Also a 1965 18ft. Lyman w/95hp. 1965 Merc 900 and trailer.

[7gen]

Every time I drive my 76 Eldorado convertible, someone comes up to me and says that cars like mine were the last time they ever really fit in a car and enjoyed driving, without being crippled up at the end of a long drive. I agree - I drove 8 hours yesterday, in two 4 hour spurts, and my arthritis never squawked at me at all.

I think that there is an untapped market for big cars. Before anyone scoffs, consider cell phones. Who knew that there was a market for constant conversation before cell phones made it possible to talk nonstop, everywhere? Shortly (relatively speaking) after cell phones became widely available, everyone was talking a LOT more, in all sorts of places. It was a market that I never knew existed until everyone, everywhere, had one stuck on his or her ear.

I'd love to see Cadillac return to the six seater but it seems they are more interested in competing in the sport/luxury market. They are focused on filling their cars with geegaws and doodads instead of just being comfortable.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

"Big" cars are now SUVs.
And I agree. You need to be able to distinguish between 1 car and another in both look and name. Quite frankly I don't know the difference between any of them-Lincoln is the same way. Give them a name for crying out loud.
Jeff

[D.Smith]

When people complain that the ATS, CTS and CT6 look too similar and can only be told apart by Cadillac enthusiasts, I'll point out that the same can be said about our beloved early 70s Cadillacs.    Calais, Deville and Fleetwood.   To the untrained eye, do you think they know a Calais from a Deville by the lack of rocker moldings?   Or a 74 Fleetwood by it's B-pillar vs. a 74 Sedan Deville?      Basic front and rear styling was the same other than badging.  You wanted your neighbor to know you had the newest Cadillac no matter if they didn't know what model it was until they got close enough to read the emblems.   Same with BMW today.  3-series, 5-series, 7-series, all just size and content variations. 

Lincolns recent styling is all over the place.  Some MK models had vertical grilles, some horizontal, the new Continental another design altogether.   No design continuity at all.   The best thing about the new Continental is its name.   Take off all the emblems and you'd have no idea what brand it was.  I'm sure it will sell more copies in China than the US.   Just like Buick does now.   

I agree the biggest problem with the CT6 is its name.  CTS was the smallest Cadillac when it came out and when it was the new must-have car for younger people.    Calling the new flagship a CT anything just confuses people.   To many they just think it must be a 6 cylinder version of the CTS.      CT6.  Horrible name.   They need to rename it asap.   Biggest model?   Just call it "FLEETWOOD".     Don't call it a Sixty Special.    New buyers have no idea what that means.   Don't call it a "DAY  EL AY GANCE" as Jay Leno jokingly referred to them.    Just FLEETWOOD.    An old name that pretty much everyone remembers hearing as the big daddy of Caddys.    Trust me.  If they renamed the CT6 "FLEETWOOD" tomorrow,  every Rapper and Hollywood wanna-be will go buy one.    And once you get them in movies, videos and red carpet events, sales will jump.

 

[Walter Youshock]

BUT you could tell a Cadillac from a Lincoln or Chrysler back then.  To even think "compact" car and Cadillac makes me cringe...  throw in station wagons and monster trucks...

I went to the PFDA convention last week and spoke with several pro car manufacturers.  One said there will only be 800 professional chassis Cadillacs made for the year.  At one time, that number was over 3,000.  And nobody needs the CUE system in a hearse...

[Big Apple Caddy]

Probably it is just that for what ever reason Cadillac marketing did not reach him.  He was a super high tech connected guy.  He had two phones going, one because Google Maps is better than the nav. system in the Lincoln, and another to communicate and look up stuff like CT6. 

It sounds like he may have been just making conversation or is a very passive shopper right now.   A serious, "high tech connected" luxury sedan shopper would do their homework and be able to quickly learn about the CT6 via one of many auto websites including Cadillac.com.  Just a quick Google search of "current Cadillac sedans", "Cadillac luxury sedans" or similar will have the CT6 among top results. 

The CT6 isn't seeing great sales numbers because large sedans overall aren't seeing the kind of sales numbers that they used to.  It's not just a Cadillac issue nor is it because large amounts of relevant (i.e. serious potential buyers) people are unaware they exist.


Some seem to think that just because their large car (new/late model or classic) attracts compliments or positive reactions that there must be this huge untapped market for similar cars but the fact is that pretty much all cars can attract compliments (large, small, new, old) and it doesn't necessarily mean much of anything in the larger picture.  Same is true for negative comments.  Some criticize large cars, especially older ones, as gas hogs, environmentally unfriendly or whatever but that doesn’t necessarily mean those feelings are widespread.

[Big Apple Caddy]

BUT you could tell a Cadillac from a Lincoln or Chrysler back then.

BUT many people CAN tell the difference today too.  The sentiment that cars look too much alike has been around for many decades, especially with older generations.   Authors of numerous articles in magazines and newspapers from 1940s, 50s, 60s, 70s, etc have shared their opinions about cars of that time looking too much alike.  It's a view held by some that seems to be repeated with each passing generation.

[Walter Youshock]

When funeral directors stop driving Cadillacs and stop buying hearse and limousines, guess what--they've got a very serious image problem.

[D.Smith]

  Some criticize large cars, especially older ones, as gas hogs, environmentally unfriendly or whatever but that doesn’t necessarily mean those feelings are widespread.

Not to mention todays full sized cars are still better on gas than the monster SUVs and pickup trucks that sell in huge in numbers.  I'd bet you that 90% of them haul nothing more than groceries.