Cadillac Dealers Prepare To Step Up, Or Leave, Sales Game Under De Nysschen

by Cameron Aubernon

Published: October 21st, 2014

cadillac dealers prepare to step up or leave sales game under de nysschen

Facebook commenters and the automotive press aren’t the only ones feeling the lash from Cadillac boss Johan de Nysschen, as dealers themselves are feeling the pressure to step up their game.

Automotive News reports that while some Cadillac dealerships have nothing to worry about, and are, in fact, completely on-board with de Nysschen’s alphanumeric global vision, those on the low end of the totem pole fear they may be selling something else if they can’t compete on the level their new boss expects of them.

Specifically, de Nysschen may want to consolidate the brand’s network of 924 dealerships into a more BMW/Mercedes-esque number — hovering in the 330 – 370 range — with a similar focus on urban markets. Though neither he nor anyone representing Cadillac have stated such plans were on the table, dealers like Claude Burns and an unnamed dealer in the Midwest are going on the offensive to maintain their spots: a new expanded floorplan for the former, lawyering-up with an attorney who represented dealers during General Motors’ bankruptcy for the latter.

As for the boss himself, de Nysschen had this to say about the future of his dealerships after his meeting with them last month in Las Vegas, where he outlined his vision for the brand and their role in it:

It’s very clear to me that many, many dealers already have risen to the challenge. On the other hand, when those customers engage us in our dealerships, we cannot afford that the experience is anything other than confirming that this is a first-class brand. And not all of our dealers are there.

#BusinessPlans #Cadillac #DealershipNetworks #JohanDeNysschen #SalesIncreases #Shakeups

Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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7 of 131 comments

Chicagoland on Oct 22, 2014

I agree that moving to NYC, the most anti-private car market in the US is dumb. Why not LA? Also, quit assuming that Caddy still sells the FWD DeVille "boat". Yeah it was dated and many had fake carriage roofs, but that was 5-25 years ago. The XTS is more modern, and not "huge". Also, they do have a dedicated assembly plant in Lansing building CTS/ATS. Up the quality would be the best bet, and make the new cars there too They are stuck with the Escalade, but should make it more exclusive and not just anyone can get it for "no money down"!

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- Pch101 on Oct 22, 2014
  
  I would presume that de Nysschen wants to live in or near there. I would also presume that he wants to put some physical distance between himself and Detroit, in the hopes that he can have some degree of autonomy. I would question how the latter is possible, when the basis of the plan obviously came from Detroit. He is going to be judged by his ability to achieve their objectives, no matter where he is. Being away could actually make things worse, since he won't have the same opportunities to schmooze, get intel and become part of the inner circle.
  
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- Geeber on Oct 22, 2014
  
  There are still lots of wealthy people in the New York City area who own cars. It's one of the top markets for luxury cars in the United States. Not every rich New Yorker lives in a high-rise apartment building in Manhattan. Many of the high-rise dwellers have a house in the country. They own a vehicle that they drive to get there (and drive once they are there, as those areas tend not to have any mass transit).
  
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Buickman on Oct 22, 2014

anyone remember Bill Knapp's? it was a Midwest restaurant chain with outlets in Florida as well. in an effort to increase business they hired a hot shot outsider who promptly changed the menu and significantly altered the decor thereby alienating their loyal client base. soon after they closed up shop for good. I miss the home made chicken noodle soup and chocolate cake (free on your birthday).

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Buickman on Oct 22, 2014

testing the failure to record posts. ridiculous IMO.

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- Fourthreezee on Oct 23, 2014
  
  This is just all nonsense… There are decades of poor quality GM products (Cadillacs especially), that spoke/speak for themselves as folks left them in droves for other brands (mostly Japanese). The creative destruction that a bankruptcy would have wrought would have displaced the multiple tiers of feckless GM apparatchiks and something good might have risen from whomever purchased the assets at bankruptcy. But the market-distorting hand of pandering politicians reached down from their D.C perch and bailed GM out with our tax $$$$ – which left the feckless fools in place along with the rancid culture. And we see the results. Friends don’t let friends buy GM cars... Ever
  
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Buickman on Oct 22, 2014

anyone remember Bill Knapp's? it was a Midwest restaurant chain with outlets in Florida. in an effort to increase business, they hired a hot shot outsider who promptly changed the menu and significantly altered the decor thereby alienating the client base. shortly after they closed up shop. I miss their home made chicken noodle soup and free chocolate cake on your birthday.

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