Daily Podcast: Converjence
Published: July 2nd, 2009
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Because it wants to, Buick is headed upmarket. Because it has to, Cadillac is headed downmarket. Who wins? Not GM. An Epsilon II, FWD/AWD Cadillac isn’t going to have the phrase “standard of the world” tripping off anyone’s tongue. And since GM exists at the pleasure of the politicians, it doesn’t seem likely that Cadillac will ever get around to making the huge investments in opulence that it would need to regain its former glory. And besides an aging CTS and a “2005 called and wants its SUV back” Escalade, what is Cadillac again? Some days it’s a good day to die. Some days it’s a good day to record a podcast.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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Whether its buick or Cadillac, GM has got to get smarter. They just released the new SRX with a shit less power than the previous generation and its a lot slower. The 300HP engine is optional. are they kidding? You need no less than 300HP for a car that heavy.
GM needs the Chinese market otherwise they are to small to survive. That is why they need Buick in the US. If they close Buick in America they are toast in 20 years
If Caddy going forward can not be the best or even competitive in power, handling, speed, or size then all that is left is value and style. Value is more of a Chevy attribute and Buick seems to be making the most stylish GM vehicles. If Cadillac must share platforms with Chevy and Buick it should at least push the styling envelop further than its stablemates.
I am so glad the podcasts are back. A lot of fun to listen to, but I must disagree with the position on "small" cars today and who would want to drive them. I live in Los Angeles, land of the gridlocked freeways, and I am the proud owner of a Smart. Thanks to YSE, I am also the owner of an Arnage T (It does not make for a comical garage.) I've owned a lot of cars and the Arnage is the most wonderfully obscene machine I have ever owned. Every time I step on the accelerator a small portion of New York City moves underwater. It is an amazing freeway cruiser for trips to San Diego, great for date night. But taking the HMS Bentley out of the garage to go a mile to the store and direct it around a parking lot can be a chore - I am sure the sympathetic violins are playing for me. For daily use, the Smart does exactly what it is supposed to do and puts a smile on my face. On top of that, I average out to the carbon footprint of a Hummer.