Before reaching these forums, I always thought the Seville was the top of the Cadillac line, however I see a lot of people comparing the DeVille with the S Class Mercedes. And the CTS with the 5 Series. ???
I would propose this:
Cadillac DTS = BMW 7 series = Mercedes Benz S class
Cadillac STS = BMW 5 series = Mercedes Benz E class
Cadillac CTS = BMW 3 series = Mercedes Benz C class
Cadillac XLR = BMW 6 series = Mercedes Benz SL class
Cadillac SRX = BMW X series = Mercedes Benz ML class
Cadillac Escalade = Mercedes Benz G class
As such it seems to me the DTS has the longest way to go, granted it's the last car in the lineup to be re-done, however, I've yet to hear anything about the replacement.
Also, the Dealerships have to be rated by Cadillac management, as it is they are hit or miss.
I would say the new DTS should have a V8 and V12 option.
Last, I feel Cadillac could build a couple of trully High End vehicles the:
Cadillac Sixteen = Rolls Royce (BMW) = Maybach (Mercedes Benz)
Cadillac Cien = BMW ??? = Mercedes Benz SLR
You're absolutely right about the spelling there. I just fixed it. Thank you..
It's hard to tell what Cadillacs go up against the competition. The STS is inbetween the 5 and 7; the CTS is inbetween the 3 and 5.. Where will the DeVille come into play?
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If it is modular...they should easily be able to make a 10 cylinder out of it...like the Ford engines........ahhhhhhhh 10 cylinder Northstar ahhhhhhhh.
On size:
As for the correct comparison, GM itself has purposely set it's cars in between the two 'common' classes. Both the CTS and the STS compete with the 5 series for example... you just get to pick if you want your 'american 5' to be a little larger or smaller. This way they cover a larger demographic with each car. The STS also compares to the 7, and does a fine job in terms of performance and price.
When the DTS comes out, I gaurantee it will be sized a bit larger than the 7, but be in line with the 7's price and performance. At least that is how Cadillac has placed each of it's redesigns thus far.
For example:
CTS -> 325i, 330i, 525i, 530i (and in V form: 545i, M3, and M5)
STS -> 530i, 545i, 7 series (and in V form: M5)
DTS -> 7 series and larger
The simple answer? They don't align with the 'normal' classes. You target two types of customer with each car. This is how Cadillac planned it and it is genius. The recent boost in sales attests to that. Think of where it will go once the whole lineup is in place.
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'Enthusiasm is no substitute for rationality. If you're a wacko you can expect to remain on the fringes.' ~dkozloski
The simple answer? They don't align with the 'normal' classes. You target two types of customer with each car. This is how Cadillac planned it and it is genius. The recent boost in sales attests to that. Think of where it will go once the whole lineup is in place.
Target two types of customer...genius....BS, theyre trying to play it safe and cheap, not the way you take over a segment. Daring, Vision, Execution, that will make Cadillac what it once was. You pick a target and hit it with all you've got, you dont go for the scatter gun approach.
If it's true that Cadillac is playing it safe (which we really don't know that for sure) then they're playing their cards the way they feel they must. Cadillac is in a come-from-behind situation. They're constantly gaining ground. Whatever they're doing IS genius. IF they're playing it safe and they succeed then they move up even more. If they didn't play it safe and completely bombed - they'd be in some serious trouble.
In the other scenario, targeting two types of customers sounds like a pretty good idea to me...
What are the parallels? 
