BLS off to a VERY slow start...

megeebee · #1 (**permalink**) 06-21-06, 07:21 PM

Not very good news for Cadillac in Europe...

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/15/c...ust-in-europe/

gary88 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-24-06, 04:17 PM

I say it still needs a little time before sales start to pick up.

megeebee · #3 (**permalink**) 06-30-06, 08:20 PM

I hope you're right. But 400 in 4 months?

GreenMachine · #4 (**permalink**) 07-02-06, 12:30 AM

From my understanding it isn't selling all that well because its basically a rebadged SAAB.

70eldo · #5 (**permalink**) 07-04-06, 08:50 AM

I don't think it has ANYTHING to do with the BLS being a rebadged Saab. You don't trace any Saab in the exterior, apart from the roofline and the foglights. The dash is also totally different. Don't think Europe is not used to rebadging. VW, Seat and Scoda is all based on VW technology, parts and base frame. So is Citroen and Peugeot, Renault, Mazda and Ford, Opel and Fiat and so on, and so on...

The problem is (Cadillac are you reading this?) is that Cadillac has NO name in Europe other than being the big old classic flagships of the 50's-70's. ONLY kids that whatch MTV and play Playstation or the like know the XLR, CTS-V and the Escalade. Cadillac is not advertising in Europe. Only some advertisements in some magazines. That's it...

How do people here in Europe even have to know that Cadillac has new competing models on the european market???? The CTS has been out 3 years now, and still people ask me what kind of car and brand it is. If you introduce Cadillac into Europe, take the Microsoft approach (only marketing please)! Overwhelm them with the name and the images. And let the people picture themselves in a Cadillac. Man, if you compare the BLS to what you can get otherwhise for the same money, you have a pretty good deal with the Cadillac!!!! So the problem is not what the BLS has to offer...

GreenMachine · #6 (**permalink**) 07-04-06, 03:46 PM

Thats one thing I even noticed in the states actually, the marketing for the under 5 campaign was decent but overall a very poor TV commericial campaign. Thats why I think they changed who is in charge of marketing, I'm sure in the next 6 months there will be changes to that (I hope).

70eldo · #7 (**permalink**) 07-06-06, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenMachine

Thats one thing I even noticed in the states actually, the marketing for the under 5 campaign was decent but overall a very poor TV commericial campaign. Thats why I think they changed who is in charge of marketing, I'm sure in the next 6 months there will be changes to that (I hope).

I hope it does for Europe too!!!!

88Bonneville · #8 (**permalink**) 02-25-07, 11:09 AM

The new Cadillacs are still very rare here in the UK. I have only seen two BLS on the road so far. I've seen more right-hand drive CTS than BLS.

nigelb · #9 (**permalink**) 02-25-07, 10:34 PM

Stratstone, the unlucky company that is trying to sell the BLS in the UK is currently offering massive discounts in an attempt to shift these lame ducks. That goes for the CTS as well!
Cadillac need to actually spend some money on advertising otherwise this new range will go the same way as the STS, straight down the toilet..

88Bonneville · #10 (**permalink**) 02-26-07, 02:40 AM

I've seen a bit of advertising, but not much. There were double page adverts for the BLS in Auto Express magazine when it first came out and I've seen one billboard advert at a motorway service station, but that's it.