“Car and Driver” ha seleccionado los diez mejores automóviles del 2010. Entre los ganadores, está el Golf GTI, Mazda MX-5, Porsche Boxster y el Cayman, que repiten un año más y que se han hecho con la distinción al superar a otros 48 vehículos.

Como todos los años, “Car and Driver” ha elegido los mejores coches de 2010. Los candidatos han sido coches nuevos o modificados, que saliesen al mercado no más tarde de enero de 2010 y que su precio no superase los 80.000 $. Además, en el lote han entrado los diez ganadores de 2009: BMW 3-series / M3, Cadillac CTS / CTS-V, Chevrolet Corvette, Honda Accord,Honda Fit, Infiniti G37, Jaguar XF, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Porsche Boxster / Cayman y Volkswagen GTI.

Pues bien, sólo cabe decir que coches como el Mazda MX-5, Porsche Boxster / Cayman y el Volkswagen GTI repitieron un año más y que otros como el Chevrolet Corvette, Infiniti G37 y el Jaguar XF se cayeron de la lista. And the winner are…

Audi S4 
BMW Serie 3 / M3 
Cadillac CTS / CTS-V 
Ford Fusion Hybrid 
Honda Accord 
Honda Fit 
Mazda MX-5 
Mazda3 / MazdaSpeed3 
Porsche Boxster / Cayman 
Volkswagen GTI

En total, “Car and Driver” recibió un total de 58 automóviles en su “base secreta escondida en medio de las parcelas agrícolas del sureste de Michigan”.

Acura TL 6-sp manual
Acura ZDX
Audi A5 2.0T
Audi A6 3.0T
Audi S4 Cabriolet
Audi S5
Audi TTS
BMW Z4
BMW Serie 3/M3
Buick LaCrosse
Cadillac CTS / CTS-V
Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet Corvette / Grand Sport /Z06
Ford Fusion / Fusion híbrido
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Ford Taurus / Taurus SHO
Honda Accord
Honda Fit
Honda Insight
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Infiniti G37
Jaguar XF / XFR
Kia Forte / Forte Koup
Kia Soul
Lexus HS250h
Lexus IS convertible
Lincoln MKS EcoBoost
Lotus Evora
Lotus Exige S 260 Sport
Mazda MX-5
Mazda 3/Mazdaspeed
Mercedes-Benz Clase E
Nissan Cube
Nissan 370Z
Pontiac G8 GXP
Pontiac Solstice coupé
Porsche Boxster / Cayman
Porsche 911 Carrera
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Suzuki Kizashi
Toyota Prius

FUENTE: Car and Driver

General Motors has been on a bit of a roll lately. Corvette ZR1, CTS-V, Regal, and now this. It’s the CTS Coupe, and first thing’s first, a CTS-V Coupe has been confirmed.

Now, a public unveiling isn’t due until the LA Auto Show in about a week, but these are the first official pictures of the production CTS Coupe, and along with them comes a press release with some details.

It will be powered by the same 3.6L V6 that the CTS sedan uses, which puts out 304 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Not too shabby. As for transmissions, you get the option of an Aisin six-speed manual or a Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic with available shift buttons on the steering wheel. The power will be sent through one of those transmissions to either the rear wheels or all four wheels, depending on whether you choose RWD or AWD.

Looks good to me, but I’ll hold off until the V-Series model comes along.

Oh, and here’s the full press release if you want to read through it:

2011 CADILLAC CTS COUPE: NEW SPORTS COUPE IS CADILLAC’S MOST DRAMATIC DESIGN

LOS ANGELES – Cadillac today unveiled the 2011 CTS Coupe, the latest and most dramatic of the brand’s series of new designs to reach production. Slated to arrive in Cadillac showrooms in the spring of 2010, the CTS Coupe is a new luxury sports coupe designed to become the centerpiece of the brand’s revised lineup.

“CTS Coupe is the new focal point of Cadillac, expressing both our design and technical capabilities,” said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. “It is intended to appeal to a new generation of car enthusiasts.”
The Coupe joins the CTS Sport Sedan, the 556-horsepower (415 kW) CTS-V and new CTS Sport Wagon as the foundation of Cadillac’s lineup. A high-performance V-Series edition of the Coupe will also be released in 2010.

The CTS Coupe’s design carries over virtually unchanged from the concept car that was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2008. The Coupe is a classic 2+2 layout bolstered with advanced technology, such as a rear- view camera system and a performance-oriented suspension system coupled to rear- wheel or all-wheel drive.

Design

CTS Coupe emerged as a proposal inside Cadillac’s design studio, where designers have developed and evolved the brand’s Art and Science design philosophy.

“Cadillac has always been an emotional brand – it’s about delivering art regardless of body style,” said Max Wolff, director of exterior design for Cadillac. “With the CTS Coupe, it was about taking something very strong – the CTS Sport Sedan – and extending its potential.”

The coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS, but an overall height that is approximately two inches (51 mm) lower and an overall length that is two inches (51 mm) shorter.

Although it draws from its sport sedan sister, the CTS Coupe shares only the instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and grille. Key design features include:

Classic hardtop styling, with no conventional B-pillar

Touch-pad operation for the doors removes the need for conventional door handles, creating a technical, clean profile

A windshield laid at a faster angle (62.3 degrees) and a long, nearly horizontal backglass area combine to create a sleek, aerodynamic look

Sculpted lower front fascia with unique brake-cooling vents

Diamond cut-style rear fascia with mesh lower grilles

Center-outlet exhaust with twin dihedral-shaped tips that pass through the rear fascia

Signature vertical lighting, highlighted with LED light pipes

Rear spoiler integrated into the center high-mounted stop lamp

Sculpted roof-mounted antenna for OnStar and XM Satellite Radio.

At first glance, the shape of CTS Coupe is refreshingly simple, yet amplified with intricately carved details. Distinctive and original Cadillac signature cues combine with hand-sculpted forms, artfully articulating the confidence of the chassis. For example, the rear fenders were purposefully developed by hand in Cadillac design studios to visually acknowledge the RWD powertrain. The gestured profile, coupled with Cadillac’s vertical taillamps and pronounced rear centerline, aim to achieve the most visually confident coupe in the segment.

Performance

The CTS Coupe extends Cadillac’s emerging performance credentials. The CTS Coupe’s standard powertrain consists of a direct injected 3.6L V-6 and six-speed manual transmission. Direct injection technology delivers fuel more precisely to increase the efficiency of combustion, enabling more power while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions – including a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions.

The 3.6L DI engine is rated at 304 horsepower (227 kW) and offers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg on the highway. It also runs on less expensive regular unleaded gasoline.

The powertrain’s performance is channeled through a chassis that delivers sports car performance without punishment. The hardware includes an independent short/long arm (SLA) front suspension system, with hydraulic control arm front bushings; and a multi-link rear suspension mounted on a fully isolated subframe. Also included are four-wheel disc performance brakes, premium steering and limited-slip differential.

Two suspension-tuning levels are available: a Performance Package with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires (available in both RWD and AWD,) and the Summer Tire Performance Package, with 19-inch tires and wheels and a higher level of road holding capability. StabiliTrak, the advanced electronic chassis control system, is standard.

The 304-horsepower (227 kW) 3.6L V-6 Direct Injection engine will be standard, equipped with a six-speed manual, featuring a revised clutch and dual-mass flywheel that offers better clutch pedal feel and improved engine isolation. A 6-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control (and available steering wheel mounted shift buttons) is optional.

Technology

CTS Coupe blends handcrafted luxury with a contemporary, driver-focused interior that supports the car’s high-performance capabilities. The interior includes hand-sewn accents covering the door, center storage console and instrument panel trim. 14-Way adjustable Recaro sport seats, previously exclusively offered on Cadillac’s V-Series model, will be offered on all CTS Coupe models as an option.

The car offers a host of advanced technologies, including:

Integrated iPod/MP3 capability

40-gig hard drive, including the ability to store music and pause-and-replay live radio

Pop-up navigation system

Adaptive forward lighting system

Bluetooth connectivity

Standard Keyless Access and Smart Remote Start

Rear Camera system

Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround audio system

As with other Cadillac models, the CTS Coupe comes standard with OnStar with Turn- by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar.

About Cadillac

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by dramatic new designs and global expansion. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.

Source: Jalopnik

P.S: Slight formatting issue at the top, 2 lines before the article actually begins, I’m trying to work that out. Problem solved

Cadillac has free certified information about the 2011 CTS Coupe, early of the Los Angeles Auto Show. The new CTS Coupe will be praiced at about $42,000 when it is launched in the end of 2010.

The productionversion of the CTS Coupe boasts bold styling, aggressive ranks, and Cadillac’s mark “art and science” proposal. The breezy exterior features touch-pad door handles, a silky windshield (which meets a roof that has been lowered by two inches), and the lack of traditional B-pillars. Other invent tweaks involve exclusive front and rear bumpers, a foot-mounted twin dihedral exhaust structure, and a taillight that acts as a spoiler.

Read more (details and photos)!!

All Coupe’s style same as the Cadillac CTS sedan. Both vehicles have the same wheelbase , use a 304 horsepower (227 kW) 3.6-liter V6 (the base 3.0-liter V6 won’t be open in the Coupe – at least first), and are offered with both rear- or all-wheel drive. Cadillac has also definite they will launch a CTS-V Coupe. Packing a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine, with 556 horsepower and 551 ft-lbs of torque, the CTS-V Coupe should be able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in around 3.8 seconds.

The CTS Coupe’s hardware includes an independent fleeting/long arm (SLA) front suspension scheme, with hydraulic direct arm front bushings, and a multi-network rear suspension. Also included are four-sweep recording performance brakes, a narrow-gaffe differential and GM’s electronic chassis rule system (StabiliTrak).

We have no initerior pictures but Cadillac says that features contain hand-sewn accents layer the door, focus storeroom console and instrument panel sleek as well as several techno goodies such as the 40GB hard energy, pop-up navigation system, rear camera and Bluetooth connectivity.

Options include a performance wrap with 18-shuffle wheels (or a summer enervate performance embalm with 19-creep wheels), 14-way adjustable Recaro sport seats, a pop-up navigation technique, and a Bose 5.1 surround sound approach.

Ed Kirbys Adventure Cars in Dalton, Ga near Chattanooga and Atlanta says enjoy another episode of Dancing with the Cars. View this 2009 CADILLAC CTS in Chattanooga and Atlanta – at AdventureCars.com
STOCK # 91145E.

Go to http://www.AdventureCars.Com click Testimonials, and read what our customers say about us.
Our vehicles sell QUICK so Call Today! All pre-owned vehicles go through extensive inspection and reconditioning which is why we include a 30 day comprehensive/ 90 day component warranty (if factory warranty has expired) plus a 3 day money back guarantee and We can Ship nationwide! Call today 800.291.9086

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Car and Driver recently had a talk with Bob Lutz of General Motors, and he confirmed that the Cadillac CTS-V will come in Coupe and Sport Wagon models.

Lutz stated that “You’ll be able to get the CTS-V any way you want.” In other words, you’ll be able to get it in Sport Wagon and the upcoming Coupe form. According to Autoblog though, everything which comes out of Lutz’ mouth should be taken with a grain of salt, and they have a point, so this may not be true, but I hope it is, as the CTS-V is a fine car, and I’m a huge fan of fast wagons. Coupe form should be pretty interesting as well.

Source: Car and Driver via Autoblog

The edgy Cadillac CTS has been offering wireless internet connectivity since last spring, but GM recently announced a new option: dealer-installed Wi-Fi in trucks and SUVs as well.

2010 Cadillac CTS, available with Wi-Fi at Jessup Auto Plaza

The Autonet mobile router provides wireless internet access within 150 feet of your vehicle, and drivers can sign up for either 1GB or 5GB of service per month. Autonet Wi-Fi is ideal for getting driving directions, downloading a new album for your drive, or just keeping connected while you’re out of town or on a long trip.

As a Coachella Valley GM Dealership, we know the qualities that draw customers to GM vehicles. Every day, we talk with drivers who come because they want reliable performance, quality design and construction, and a blend of comfort plus style—even better when they come from the trusted name of General Motors.

Features are also important, and as technological advances explode, it’s important to keep passing those benefits on to drivers. Some technologies are more practical than others, and GM has a reputation for providing important technologies, not just expensive one, to consumers. The Autonet mobile wireless router is just one way that GM is keeping pace, if not pushing ahead, in terms of quality features that drivers really want.

To check out the Cadillac CTS, or one of GM’s Ready-ready trucks or SUVs, stop by our Cathedral City GM dealership. We proudly serve Palm Springs, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, Yucaipa, Hemet, Indio, and other communities in the Coachella Valley.

We’d love to answer any questions you may have, please call us at 800-900-KARS or email: jessupautoplaza@gmail.com.

View our entire Jessup Auto Plaza inventory at www.JessupAutoPlaza.com

This commercial changed my life. Well, not really, because I’ve always dreamed of having a Cadillac, however in respect to advertising this thing hit me like an 18-wheeler

You’ve all heard the phrase “Sex Sells”. Well, to some extent that may be true, however the phrase should really go something like this: “Sex Gets Your Attention”. Now, although that is the main objective of advertisers, that doesn’t necessarily mean it sells. I’ve seen plenty of scantily-clad women bouncing around my TV set with no recollection of the brand that was behind it.

But this ad is different. It’s tasteful. It’s discrete. It gets your attention without having to degrade the brand or the female starring in the commercial. All it has is a sultry voice and a good looking car, and copy that wraps you up tight in the mystique and grandeur that is the Cadillac brand. I mean, just listen to it…no really, go listen to it again. I’ll even make it easy for you. Click here. And listen closely to every word.

The copy isn’t anything creative or extraordinary, yet it’s perfect. It emphasizes the car’s extensive line-up of ridiculous luxury features and makes you feel as if you’re in the driver’s seat having the ride of your life. It draws emotion up out of you and tells you that this car is what you need. This car is what will make you happy. And this car is everything you could hope and dream for in an automobile.

And it does all this with nothing but a voice whispering sweet nothings in your ear. No skin. No sex. Just Kate Walsh driving a Cadillac CTS while wearing some heels that very well may could have been purchased at the Playboy Mansion’s garage sale.

Well played Cadillac. Give me a few years, and by a few I may mean a decade, and I’ll have one of those beauties in my driveway while I play some Keri Hilson featuring Lil’ Wayne.

This week, General Motors Co. offered a sneak peak into its product plans for the next two years, including the new models in its lineup set to debut in 2010 and 2011.

At GM’s Design Center and Milford Proving Ground, the automaker showcased six all-new 2010 models, and gave media and consumers a preview of the lineup it will roll out between now and 2011.

By brand, Chevrolet is launching 10 new models, Buick and GMC are introducing 10 new models combined, and Cadillac will unveil five new vehicles.

Among the highlights of GM’s lineup plans are the 2011 Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle.

According to officials, the Volt is expected to get 230 miles per gallon, or 25 kilowatt hours per 100 miles. The automaker said it can go up to 40 miles from a single battery charge.

Production on the Volt is slated to begin in late 2010. “From the data we’ve seen, most drivers could operate purely on grid electricity in a Chevy Volt,” explained GM chief Fritz Henderson. “A car that gets more than 100 miles per gallon is a significant step in the reinvention of the auto industry, and GM is and will continue to be a leader in that reinvention,” he added.

GM also shared its plans for Cadillac’s entry-level luxury sport sedan. This car will be in the segment below Cadillac CTS, and the automaker hopes it can capitalize on the demand for smaller luxury sedans. “We are determined to repeat what CTS has already achieved in design, quality, driving dynamics, performance and fuel economy to grow our presence in this high-volume and highly competitive segment,” Henderson said.

Meanwhile, discussing next year’s lineup, in particular, GM said the six all-new models it plans to debut for 2010 include the following:

—All-new Buick Lacrosse, a redesigned luxury sedan that includes advanced safety features and intelligent personal technologies, with a choice between two direct-injected V6 engines.

—Cadillac SRX crossover, which features a three-liter, direct-injected V6 engine as standard. A 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 is optional.

—Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, which is “essentially the same size” as the CTS sports sedan on the outside, but with twice the cargo-carrying capacity.

—Return of the Chevrolet Camaro for the first time in seven years.

—Chevrolet Equinox, which is a four-wheel drive model that comes standard with a 2.4-liter engine and has a fuel-efficiency of 32 mpg highway.

—GMC Terrain crossover, which officials said has a design that is “characterized by elements that suggest muscularity, with a prominent front end and squared-off edges.” The Terrain also provides “outstanding fuel economy,” officials noted.

Continuing on, Henderson said GM will have greater customer engagement through such features as “Tell Fritz” on www.gmreinvention.com, which allows consumers to offer feedback. GM’s FastLane blog is launching “The Lab,” which is a micro-site that showcases future projects of automaker’s advanced design team. “Our customers are the reason we’re here. It’s critical to have their voices help shape our products, and their experience with them,” Henderson shared. “Their feedback helps us learn and evolve so we can continuously improve our cars and trucks, and our customer relationships.”

Source: Auto Remarketing

Cadillac | 2009 CTS Luxury Sedan – Exterior Photo Gallery
Check out the 2009 Cadillac CTS from every angle. Examine the well-designed luxury sedan by browsing the photo gallery of exterior pictures.

2010 Cadillac CTS Picture Gallery
Vew 2010 Cadillac CTS Picture Gallery of high resolution photos. 2010 Cadillac CTS Photo Archive. Style: Unavailable. MSRP: Unavailable. Photos Videos

2010 Cadillac CTS – Specifications, Pictures, Prices
Complete information on 2010 Cadillac CTS car, photos, pictures, prices and specifications. General Motors redesigned the popular Cadillac CTS for 2008.

2010 Cadillac CTS – Consumer Guide Automotive
2010 Cadillac CTS highlights from Consumer Guide Automotive. The 2010 Cadillac CTS lineup gains a wagon body style and should offer a new base engine.

El edificio de GM en Detroit

Andaba yo  inmerso en los temas tratados en un libro de A.G. Lafley, CEO (hasta el 1 de julio del 2009 y de ahí solo Presidente según noticias recientes) de P&G (de quienes —él y la empresa— hablamos con frecuencia aquí al punto que son dos de las palabras más importantes en la nube de tags a la derecha) y Ram Charan, a quien ya presentamos en Ram Charan: reinventando el arte de vender y en varios otros artículos.

El libro: “The Game-Changer: How You Can Drive Revenue and Profit Growth with Innovation”, escrito a cuatro manos, describe, en palabras de Charan, a varias empresas que se han distinguido por su innovación (Honeywell, Nokia, Lego, General Electric, Hewlett Packard y DuPont) y en palabras de Lafley—y en profundidad— a Procter & Gamble en un periodo importante de cambios (2000-2007). Y juntos construyen una sólida tesis sobre la innovación.

Rumiando la información, que compartiré pronto con ustedes estaba, cuando me puse a ver el comercial “General Motors Re:invent”, y ya puestos, las dos páginas que la empresa ha abierto en la red dentro de la misma campaña: GM: Reinvention, y Creating a Stronger New GM.

La ocasión ha sido propicia porque tenía fresco en la mente lo que hay que hacer para innovar con éxito (y reinventar es, seguramente, la forma más radical de innovar).

Diré de salida que no me impresiona el comercial lo más mínimo y que dudo que tenga mayor efecto. Lo describió el portavoz de GM como una manera de informar al público lo que le está sucediendo a la empresa. Sin embargo tiene el corte clarísimo de aquello que no es demasiado creíble y menos con la fama que ya se le conoce (y repasaremos más abajo a GM). Es, en mi opinión, claramente lo que la gente llama peyoratívamente “propaganda”: algo falso pero bien presentado que está hecho para embaucar al que se deje.

El comercial admite desde el inicio que “…ninguna compañía quisiera pasar por esto… pero GM necesita volver a empezar para fortalecerse”. Y teniendo como fondo una serie de clichés típicos de la cultura norteamericana en la que no faltan ni obreros, ni jugadores de beisbol, ni la bandera, explica que hubo un tiempo en que ocho marcas distintas tenían sentido… pero ya no. En que la estructura de costo podía competir en cualquier parte del mundo… pero ya no. Y que la reinvención es la única manera como esto se puede arreglar ¡Y lo arreglaremos! Y explica que será a través de nuevos modelos y nuevas eficiencias. Porque no se trata de salir del negocio sino de ponerse a trabajar.”Porque el unico capítulo en el que estamos enfocados, es el capítulo uno” en alusión al Chapter 11 al que se están acogiendo.

Fue lanzado en varias cadenas nacionales de TV, radios locales y nacionales y encartes en los diarios nacionales y periódicos clave de mercados localesv además de en facebook y YouTube, y fue realizado por Deutsch de Los Ángeles.

Haremos para tomar distancia, un análisis de la situación. Pero antes, veamos el comercial

General Motors Re:invent

Definamos primero el problema:

La quiebra vino por una serie de elementos, entre los cuales la crisis financiera de los EE UU es solo una gota: la gota que rebalsó el vaso, sí, pero solo una gota en un cúmulo de mas de veinte años de errores y de mal manejo, especialmente de las marcas. Al Ries se ha pasado esos mismos años explicándoles que habían echado por tierra la obra de Alfred Sloan, su CEO de los años 20, que estableció que cada marca de GM debería posicionarse (verbo al que le faltaban mas de 40 años para ser inventado por el propio Ries y por Jack Trout) en un segmento específico y con total autonomía respecto a las demás marcas de la empresa. Y decía también que Sloan advirtió de las funestas consecuencias de olvidarlo. Cuando Sloan puso en su estrategia en efecto, G M tenía 12% del mercado norteamericano… y llegó a tener 52%.  Ahora, algo así como 17% y a la baja.

A fines del año pasado, Ries puso en su página un reporte (que he encontrado en YouTube) en el que explica lo que le pasó a GM. Son ocho minutos en inglés, pero muy claro de entender y con una pantalla detrás de él donde aparecen los datos que él va dando. Vale la pena verlo.

The Ries Report (8:12)

What happened to GM? Al answers.

Hay más información sobre GM y su competencia en este otro reporte en video de Ries: Passalong Advertising.

Pero no fue solamente un problema de marcas lo que hundió a General Motors en la quiebra. Gary Hamel,  a quien el Wall Street Journal llama the world’s most influential business thinker, lo simplifica en una sola frase en su artículo del Wall Street Journal GM: Why Good Companies Go Bad: “Calidad dudosa, entorno laboral tóxico, identidades de marca incoherentes, transmisiones (de los autos) ruidosas, relaciones antagónicas con los proveedores y valores de reventa muy bajos, fueron síntomas crónicos de un modelo de gerencia que consideraba las utilidades (beneficio) como el partido que se jugaba y no solo como el marcador del mismo, que valorizaba trapichear con las finanzas más que la inspiración de los ingenieros y elevó a los tipos con un MBA a mandar sobre los especialistas en autos”.

Una versión parecida la dio hace algo más de tres años, James P. Womack, experto en Lean Manufacturing (1) y presidente del Lean Enterprise Institute en un artículo, en el WSJ, que comparaba a los dos grandes de Detroit con Totoya, y declaraba ganador al fabricante japonés: “Why Toyota Won”.

Progresos

¿Ha hecho algunos progresos GM? Sin duda. Y han invertido mucho dinero en anunciarlo a los consumidores potenciales, particularmente en el hecho de haber vuelto a estar (pero solo con dos o tres modelos) (1) en el rango superior de los ratings de calidad de la industria. Algunos resultados les debe haber dado, pero parece ser que no es suficientemente convincente para una generación completa —GM llevaba 25 años de atraso en calidad—  que ha comprobado la mejor calidad de los autos japoneses ¡usándolos!.

El problema es que han ido perdiendo la credibilidad y que lo que están haciendo actualmente no es más que más de lo mismo.  A las pruebas históricas me remito:

¿The road of Redemption?

En el 2003, hace seis años, hizo un mea culpa que llamó “The Road of Redemption” (ver el anuncio de su lanzamiento en The Week de Ad Age del 3 de junio de ese año), que le recordó a los compradores potenciales que GM fabricó autos y camiones que desde 1980, perdían aceite, se les desprendían partes de metal y expelían nubes de humo desteñido a intervalos totalmente al azar con frases tales como “Hace 30 años nuestra calidad era la mejor del mundo. Hace 20, no”: Estupenda forma de insinuarle a los clientes que habrían hecho bien en comprar otra marca durante esos veinte años.

Dos muestras de la poca credibilidad con que fue acogida y juzgada la campaña:

El influyente magazine de análisis Slate tituló, en Junio 2003 un artículo: General Motors Is Really, Really Sorry con una importante carga de sorna y agregaba en el subtítulo “Esta vez, juran que están fabricando mejores carros. ¿Le suena conocido?

Un año después, el New York Times ponía en tela de juicio la campaña en un artículo (28/04/04) titulado “MARKET PLACE; G.M. Has Way to Go on Road to Recall Redemption” en el que ponía en duda que las promesas de una calidad recuperada fueran ciertas basándose en que en los primeros cuatro meses del año, había recibido en devolución o hecho volver a sus plantas 7.5 millones de vehículos más de los que recibió de vuelta en todo el 2003.

La actualidad

Llegados a diciembre del 2008 su CEO hace una nueva promesa de cambio acompañando a la solicitud de fondos al Congreso de los EE UU en su plan de trabajo. La revista The friends of América se mofó de sus intenciones publicando el artículo GM’s apology letter, y comentando la más reciente solicitud de perdón de la automotriz que glosó en un artículo. Al final le reveló a los lectores que lo que había publicado era ¡la apología del 2003!, aquello que dijeron en el lanzamiento de The Road of Redemption Con lo que dejaban claro que no se había producido ningún cambio radical en cinco años y medio y que era difícil creerse una promesa más.

Nos ponemos en junio del 2009, hace pocos días, es decir cuando GM solicitó acogerse a la ley de quiebras de los EE UU en su capítulo 11 (el famoso Chapter 11 que permite a las empresas, en los EE UU. reestructurarse antes de declarar la bancarrota final). Nuevo discurso del nuevo CEO, nuevas promesas que seguramente ya nadie cree. Son muchos los años de hacer propósito de enmienda y olvidarlo al día siguiente.

La confianza total ¿ha terminado en G M?

Interesante resaltar una promoción pomposamente llamada “GM Total Confidence”  que empezó el primero de abril. La promoción ofrecía cuatro ventajas que en principio deberían haber ayudado a animar a los compradores indecisos a comprar un vehículo GM y la detallo porque las cuatro atacan puntos neurálgicos de la empresa:

- Payment protection, muy parecido al de Hyundai lanzado en el Super Bowl (lo analizamos en Saldos del Super Bowl XLIII) —que es tan bueno que pronto todas las empresas que vendan algo en los EE UU que implique una inversión importante personal, tendrán algo parecido—  que asegura que en caso de perder el trabajo el dueño del auto nuevo, GM cubre sus pagos por 24 meses hasta por $500 mensuales.

- Un año de servicio de OnStar (enlace en castellano), un sistema de asistencia que algunos analistas dicen que es mejor que cualquier auto de GM.

- Una garantía de 5 años o 100,000 millas para la transmisión (recordemos que ha sido uno de los muchos dolores de cabeza de GM y se ha vuelto un lugar común entre los compradores)

- Equity assistance también denominado Vehicle Value Protection por el cual GM cubrirá la diferencia entre lo que el cliente debe y su valor de reventa establecido por la empresa NADA, si se compra otro vehículo GM

La Promoción ha durado solo dos meses. Si uno visita su página se encuentra con que ha sido cancelada. ¿No funcionó? ¿No sería razonable, a falta de autos verdaderamente competitivos, agregarle value con esos cuatro elementos? ¿Es demasiado caro? ¿Otra cosa hecha a medias? En cualquier caso, la intermitencia tampoco ayuda a afinar una imagen. O a reconstruirla. Ni a reinventarla.

Fritz Henderson ¿unCEO perplejo o solo preocupado? (foto de Time Inc.)

Hablábamos de dos páginas destinadas a mostrar la reinvención:

- Discover the new General Motors at work today, committed to reinventing the car and the car company of today. See how we’re doing it.

http://www.gmreinvention.com/

- Creating A Stronger New GM

http://www.gm.com/restructuring/

Son, hasta cierto punto sombrías y casi estrictamente informativos legales de la empresa (aunque la primera hace parte de la pagina general de GM) y, como no, nuevo propósito de enmienda en la forma de una carta abierta de su flamante CEO Fritz Henderson, que se concentra en explicar lo estupendo que va a ser volver a empezar sin la pesada carga de la deuda con tanta gente alrededor, dispuesta a ayudar (con mención honrosa bien merecida a Barak Obama).

Pienso que Henderson, tanto en los videos de su discurso como en la fotos, está tan adusto ¿o será perplejo? que se me antoja que tiene cara de sepulturero. Cierto es que lo que tiene que decir es además de difícil, poco creíble, pero me parece a mi que desde su posición es imprescindible contagiar entusiasmo y convicción. Salvar los muebles no es nunca tarea fácil. Pero salvo los vendedores de pompas fúnebres, la sonrisa, la confianza y el optimismo son lenguaje corporal imprescindibles en todo vendedor.

Qué debería hacer GM

Lo ideal sería invitar a su directorio a A. G. Lafley innovador comprobado en una empresa de gran envergadura que ya fue miembro del directorio de GM y contratar a Ram Charan, que ha sido  asesor de los CEO de muchas empresas (entre ellas GE, KLM, Bank of America, DuPont, Novartis, EMC, Dell y Verizon), y a Gary Hamel que no solo es the world’s most influential business thinker con una vasta bibliografía en los temas de innovación y por cierto “reinvención” (“Reinvent Your Company” Fortune, June 12, 2000, Vol. 141, Issue 12, p 44), sino especialmente un analista que ve claro el futuro de los negocios “He’s just got a good sense of the managerial zeitgeist,” dice de él Thomas H. Davenport. (Recomiendo leerlo en su blog Gary Hamel’s Management 2.0 del Wall Street Journal o en su propia página). ¿Wishfull thinking? Quizás. Pero si la tarea de reconstrucción es enorme, llamemos a los mejores reconstructores. ¿Sería mucho pedir que fuese Obama en persona el encargado de anunciar los progresos?

Ideas...

Independientemente de las inconveniencias y limitaciones que conlleve operar bajo el Chapter 11, hay algunas cosas evidentes que hacer.

Hay que entender que GM ya no tendrá, nunca más, la preeminencia que tuvo por muchos años. Y que la tarea consiste en salvar los muebles e introducir a la empresa en su era de las marcas descentralizadas. Tanto, que se olvide que pertenecen a GM que está totalmente desvalorizada.

El desguace de las marcas que ya no seguirán ha de hacerse de la manera más rápida y menos costosa posible a fin de que no le quite tiempo a la tarea más importante: el diseño y construcción de las nuevas marcas.

Para esta tarea hay que reunir a equipos de gente que funcionen independientemente y estén separados de la turbulencia de las partes de la empresa en liquidación y que, basándose en una información que ponga en el centro al consumidor de cada marca, tengan como meta desarrollar productos que estén en condiciones de llevarle la delantera a los europeos y a los japoneses. Definir con precisión al consumidor target de la marca será la primera de las tareas a cumplir.

Mientras se transforma todo el sistema y se crea una nueva cultura, estos equipos deberán trabajar de manera aislada. Ya funcionaron así con el Saturn (ver: “G.M. otra lección de Marketing: el Saturn o lo que no se debe hacer”) pero la falta de continuidad y las presiones económicas complotaron contra lo que era un proyecto para ser copiado por toda la corporación).

Pero por encima de todo, se necesita un líder que trabaje con transparencia y se comunique bien tanto hacia afuera como hacia adentro y que mantenga a los equipos bien motivados y orientados en la misma dirección —mirando hacia el futuro— y  bien separados del resto de la empresa, de su desarmado y remate. Porque si G M va a tener un futuro será solo a través de unas cuantas marcas sólidas, independientes y modernas.

¿Será esa persona Fritz Henderson o se convertirá en su sepulturero?

El tiempo lo dirá. Pero las apuestas están, por ahora, a favor de lo segundo. Algunos, como Jerry Flint, editor senior de Forbes y su especialista en industria automotriz desde 1958, incluso piensan que GM está condenada pero que  será sostenida por este gobierno hasta justo antes de las siguientes elecciones y que solo la podría salvar, en el futuro, la llegada de un visionario casi profético. Un designado de los dioses y no del gobierno de los EE UU. Más poderoso incluso que aquellos que Lafley y Ram Charan llaman un “game changer“.

¿Volverá a flotar?

—————————

(1) Muchos analistas coinciden en hablar bien del Corvette ZR1, el Chevrolet Volt, el Cadillac CTS y el Buick Enclave.

(2) Lean manufacturing (Manufactura esbelta) es una filosofía de gestión enfocada a la reducción de los 7 tipos de “desperdicios” (sobreproducción, tiempo de espera, transporte, exceso de procesado, inventario, movimiento y defectos) en productos manufacturados.

The Cadillac CTS is a mid size luxury car made by General Motors for the Cadillac brand.It was introduced as the replacement for the Cadillac Catera in 2003. Designed by Wayne Cherry, the CTS uses edgy styling that Cadillac calls “Art and Science”, which was first seen on the Evoq concept car.The CTS is credited with rejuvenating the Cadillac brand, and possibly saving it from extinction, as Cadillac sales fell in favor of imported luxury brands such as Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. Cadillac had begun trying to capture a younger buyer base in the 1990s, with the Catera and Allante, and finally succeeded with the CTS.

First generation (2003-2007)
Introduced in 2002 for the 2003 model year, the CTS rode on the new rear-wheel drive GM Sigma platform. It was a return to rear-wheel drive, as well as being the first Cadillac with a manual transmission since the 1988 Cimarron. It replaced the mid-size rear-wheel drive Catera. The CTS name likely came from the initials of Catera Touring Sedan[citation needed]. The CTS was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2002. The CTS is built at GM’s Lansing Grand River plant in Lansing, Michigan. The CTS was also assembled in China in 2006, but assembly was discontinued shortly thereafter due to poor sales in that market. The CTS in China is now an exported model once again.

Second generation (2008-present)
On April 2, 2006, in a 60 Minutes interview with Bob Lutz, part of a prototype Cadillac was revealed to audiences. The car appeared to take design influences both inside and out from the Cadillac Sixteen concept from 2003. Prototype models caught testing at the Nürburgring in Germany also carried many of the design features from the car shown almost unmasked in April. Further spy shots revealed that the car will still have a manual transmission as an option.

At the North American International Auto Show in January 2007, GM introduced the all-new CTS that went on sale as a 2008 model. The base model features a 3.6-liter variable valve timing V6 with 258 hp (192 kW) and 252 lb·ft (342 N·m) of torque. A second version is offered, a new 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 VVT engine with 304 hp (227 kW) and 274 foot-pounds force (371 N·m) of torque using regular unleaded gas. A six-speed manual will be standard. The six-speed Hydra-matic 6L50 automatic transmission will be available on all models. On-demand all-wheel drive is offered with both engines when equipped with an automatic transmission.

Some suspension, braking, and steering improvements from last year’s CTS-V have been added to the standard CTS.

Download 3D Model Here:
Deposit Files

The obvious comparisons surrounding the all-new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro pit the reconstituted pony car against the Mustang and Challenger. Well duh. I submit, however, that the obvious overlooks something right before your eyes; a Camaro versus Camaro face off. Our premise is this: the most important decision regarding the purchase of a new Camaro does not pit the Chevy against Ford or Dodge, but against itself fitted with either the V-6 or the V-8. After spending hours behind the wheels of Camaros with each of the four available powertrains, this new car revealed two distinct personalities based solely on cylinder count.

The Powertrains

Since General Motors first showed the Camaro Concept in January 2006, we’ve known something about which motors would power the reconstituted icon. At first, everybody focused on the V-8, and that only stands to reason because past V-6 Camaros tended to be eminently forgettable. At best, such cars were dismissed as mere “secretary cars.” (For younger readers, this was a blatantly derogatory descriptor with roots in a time when executives had low-wage earning female secretaries compared to today’s better-paid, gender-neutral, administrative assistants. In other words, V-6 Camaros used to be cheap chick cars).

This classification for the 2010 V-6 Camaro would be incorrect. New Camaro LS and LT editions use the 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6 first seen in the Cadillac CTS. But even though this all-aluminum V-6 produces V-8 levels of power (304 horsepower), its EPA highway fuel economy bests many four-cylinder cars; 29 mpg.

The V-6’s Personalities

The above numbers explain something of the new Camaro’s personality, but they don’t fully describe the dynamic differences between the V-6 and V-8 editions. Camaros running the V-6 and automatic come across as being an accessible sports car for people who think a clutch is a small purse. The engine’s lively response works well with the six-speed automatic. Enthusiasts may find the combination benign, but the Camaro chassis helps make the complete package enjoyable. The new suspension was developed by GM’s Australian Holden group, the same team that developed the Pontiac G8.

It’s buttoned up. While Ford has elevated the 2010 Mustang’s ride using a refined live rear axle, the Camaro’s independent rear suspension simply drives better, smoother, and with less twitchiness. Drivers who know what a third pedal is will vastly prefer the V-6/ six-speed manual combo.

The V-8 Attitude
Be warned, torque is an addictive drug, so use with caution. Under its influence you’ll be drawn to deserted cul de sacs to perform ruckus doughnuts that produce so much tire smoke that squirrels will be smoked out from surrounding trees.

The engine is so powerful that once the tires break loose, the tach swings toward the red faster than you can say, “We should leave now.” The power difference between the Camaro’s two 6.2-liter V-8s isn’t something most drivers will notice. Only the most experienced backsides can pick out a 26 horsepower increase when it accounts for only a six-percent increase, especially when a torque converter helps mask the difference.

Other Impressions

Practically, there’s more to the Camaro that what’s under the hood. The total Camaro experience must recognize the car’s visual magnetism and the fact that it’s a 2+2. Those who have experienced the 2010 Mustang might find the Camaro’s interior lacking because the Ford’s offers more interesting style and detailing along with genuinely top-flight leathers with the premium interior package. Certain of Camaro’s cues, like the twin-pod gauges are interesting, but the door panels and the balance of the dash are dull. One could hypothesize that the interior design team ran out of budget after the gauge package was finished.

Overall, the examples we drove were higher quality than any production Camaro that’s ever turned a wheel.

Memories are a funny thing. They color life’s past, tending to make the good better or the bad even worse.

Una parte fundamental de un buen coche es el interior. ¿De qué sirve que se vea espectacular y que jale como loco, si el interior parece cabina de submarino ruso? La gente en Wards Auto tuvo la brillante idea de otorgar premios a los mejores interiores de la industria y como era de esperarse ninguna marca china sacó premio. Pero no es para deprimirse, si el año que entra hay una categoría llamada “interior más parecido a camión de bomberos de juguete”, seguro no van a tener competidor. Ok, pero regresando a los que sí ganaron, aquí está la lista.

• Honda Fit Sport (Economy-priced car)
• Volkswagen CC (Popular-priced car)
• Kia Soul (Grooviest Interior)
• Acura TL (Premium-priced car)
• Nissan 370Z Touring (Sports car)
• Dodge Ram (Popular-priced truck)
• Ford Flex (Premium-priced truck)
• Audi A4 (Best Redesign)
• Ford Fusion Hybrid (Best Graphic Display)
• Lexus RX 450h (Design Harmony)
• Cadillac CTS-V (Best Brand Expression)

Acura TL  (Precio premium)                                                                                     Audi A4 (mejor rediseño)

KIA Soul (el más groovie)                                                                     Honda Fit (el mejor de los baratos)

A little background
As I have spent more and more of my career developing campaigns and creating messaging that reaches my target audience, I consider how can I connect on a level that means something to my customer.  I try to find that special something that resonates so well with them that its like one of those “ah-ha” moments where it just stops you in your tracks.  You know, as a professional marketer, I tend to quickly size up an offering after the first few seconds of its commercial and then start to think of the audience that the commercial is targeting.  I tend to run through the vast perspectives and settle on one in those short seconds so I can spend more time on things that interest me most.

Recently, I came across an advertisement which, to much of my surprise, knocked me off my feet and had me thinking about it for days to come.  I started thinking, what about this particular ad has me hooked?  What about it resonates with me?  Why did this ad register as a superb ad on my register of slogans and jingles?  This lead to my investigation of this commercial and the pieces put in place that make this commercial one of the few that really are worth their advertising budgets.  Take a peek at what’s got me hooked (the remainder of the piece is predicated on this video and highly advisable to watch.)

The Quest to Find an Answer
No matter what I did or what I saw, all I could think of is this song and the adventure that this commercial was taking me through in just a mere 30 seconds.  I pondered as I did other work and found out the following that made it a great experience for me:

(1) This was an adventure that took me somewhere and made me feel (literally) like I was living the adventure
(2) Being a car enthusiast – and also creating a previous car campaign, it hit at home with the whole automotive perspective – it was not a sales pitch but rather a temptation to go out and get.
(3) The car itself was a vessel that was the only way to experience this adventure as per the video’s depiction.
(4) I am a big 80’s music person, and this song when sung by a female, added a level of possibility and tied the whole experience together in a neatly bundled package.

There were many more aspects, but I was left wondering “how did these people know I see my car in that same fashion?”  And then it hit me – they had people who are in the same customer bracket that I am in and these customers provided the feedback to make this ad possible.  But the question was still not answered – I needed to know why this commercial spoke to me over the two commercials below – which by the way – I am a brand enthusiast for and developed a year long campaign for as well.  Take a peek.

and this one

I found it really difficult to choose either of these commercials over the top commercial and I think I know why.  The commercials, while very well done and creatively presented, presented me with no call to action.  It presented me with no connection to the vehicle.  Again, as an enthusiast of the Cadillac 2008 CTS, I was astonished to see a car for a brand I would have never considered to grab my attention much more.  I get the feeling that these two commercials try too hard to convey or portray what I am really interested in, which is the experience from start to finish.  It takes both of these two commercials almost 20 seconds of its total air time to take me (the target audience) from 0 MPH to 100 MPH with excitement for the car and yet, the 1st commercial immediately captures my attention from the first 3 seconds.

Is Too Much a Bad thing?
While taking a deeper dive, I noticed that the two brands are advertising to the same group or classification of customers based on similar approaches.  One of them does not even talk about their car, they let the music and car work in harmony with that secret sauce designed to tug at my goals and dreams – to go further and reach higher.  The two Cadillac commercials tell me what I want without establishing that connection up front.  There’s too much yapping and not enough up front resonating with the target audience.

So would I buy a Lincoln or a Cadillac after viewing these commercials?  I would be inclined to buy a Lincoln simply because it connected with me and made the experience real – I was literally at the edge of my seat thinking about where to go next on the journey.

So what makes an ad a really superb ad?
It’s ability to grab it’s intended audience from first few seconds it is viewed.  It connects immediately and its value proposition as well as its presentation are indistinguishable from the experience.  They all are one and share the adventure with the viewer by leading them to think and feel “what am I going to do next on the adventure – I need to learn more about this car to find out.”  That’s what makes a truly superb ad different from a good or marginal ads.

I married a car enthusiast, and that is when I began taking a serious look at cars. But what I saw one evening was a purely blessed sight. Take a look:

While I admit we could have taken a better picture, what you see here are Lexus LS460, BMW 740Li, Cadillac CTS, VW Touareg V10 TDi. We also saw a Bentley Flying Spur, a Chrysler 300C, a Ford Montero,  a Hummer H2 and a Mercedes S350

And see this:

We basically chased the Flying Spur and Montero for a tiny bit.

If you like cars, you may also like the site my friend is setting up. It’s got lots of news, spy pics and stuff…good site, I tell you.

New Cadillac CTS pic

The Cadillac CTS is a car to be rivaled by few other luxury sedans. Prior to its make-over in 2008 it seemed to be out of its class with its fellow competitors. It lacked refinement and much of what an individual expected from a Cadillac.

2009 CTS

Now it has donned the 3-piece suit and grabbed its leather satchel and has joined the rest of the world in class and sophistication. The CTS has grown up from being the ruffian, and has come out refined with a new superb and luxurious feel. There aren’t many sedans in its class that can compete with the CTS’s athletic abilities with its standard power coming from a 3.6-liter V6 generating 258 hp and 252 pound-feet of torque, while the available 3.6-liter direct-injection (DI) V6 puts out 304 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque.

Inside the CTS’s cabin you will find there is more room than that of its rivals: BMW, Audi, Infiniti or Mercedes. This vehicle is well equipped for the road and is ready to please its master with both performance and style.

From Edmunds.com:

The cabin of the Cadillac CTS is impressive both in design and in the quality of materials used. A pleasing mix of available wood accents, tasteful alloy trim and stitched soft-touch dash make the CTS interior one of the most elegant designs in its class. A telescoping steering column gives the driver a bit more space, while those in back enjoy a roomy backseat.

So, if you are in the market for an entry level luxury sport sedan then look no further as the all new 2009 Cadillac CTS is definitely a heavy contender for the crown. Be sure to see what is available at Cavender Cadillac, your local San Antonio Cadillac Dealer.

Look at what one of our happiest customer’s had to say about her son purchasing a CTS for her!

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This is what she looks like only silver.  And I have to give her back in about 2 hours

I wonder if they will give me a straight trade for my Chevy Aveo haha   I can dream cant I? 

Chevy Tahoe Grille .

WDE Auto is pleased to present a gorgeous chrome-finished, Classic Rear License Tag Surround Fine Mesh Insert Grille for the Cadillac CTS by E&G Classics, which will definitely improve the front end of your magnificent ride. Manufactured from high quality stainless steel mesh and edged by a mirrored finished bezel, this grille will have your vehicle sparkling like a diamond. Without a doubt, the Cadillac CTS is a unique and vivid representation of luxury vehicles and requires only the best car accessories available on the open market.

When purchasing a grille E&G Classics, you can expect nothing but the best that the market has to offer. From clean, crisp designs to streamlined edging, the E&G Classics grille will add that extra touch to the vehicle. With the 3 year manufacturer warranty, you can put your mind at ease knowing that you a covered by a quality product.

Installation requires minor drilling as the grille is designed to be mounted to the original factory locations (holes). Regardless if you have the base model or top of the line edition; this grille will fit your model CTS.

With the purchase of our completely new Cadillac CTS Rear License Tag Surround by E&G Classics, you will also get detailed step by step installation instructions and all of the required mounting hardware.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CADILLAC-CTS-2008-REAR-TAG-SURROUND-MESH-INSERT-GRILLE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33645QQihZ011QQitemZ320234751054QQtcZphoto

. Cadillac automotive grille

Cutting-edge design and extensive development work at Germany’s famed Nürburgring test track, the CTS sport sedan is aimed squarely at the class leaders in one of the industry’s most competitive segments.

The CTS was one of Cadillac’s most popular models as well as the only main domestic entry to truly compete against the top European and Japanese luxury cars
The second-generation Cadillac CTS sedan debuted in the 2008 model year. The new CTS model is more refined and powerful. Body dimensions are similar to the original CTS, with an additional 2 inches of track width to give the sedan a more powerful stance. Two V6 engines are available. A standard 3.6-liter V6 generating 258 horsepower, and a more powerfull 3.6-liter direct-injection (DI) V6 puts out 304 hp. Both engines can be equipped with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. The CTS is also offered in both rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, though AWD models are limited to the base engine and automatic transmission.