Cadillac is beefing up its certified pre-owned program in anticipation of a surge in available off-lease vehicles.

The American luxury maker announced today that cars sold under its certified pre-owned program will be covered for six years and 70,000 miles — whichever comes first. According to Cadillac communications manager David Caldwell, the upgraded service will equalize its pre-owned service program with the brand’s new car care.

Most owners with vehicles from the 2011 and later model years will also be able to buy the brand’s Premium Care Maintenance program, although certain vehicles not restricted by nameplate will be excluded.

The program offers services including 24-hour roadside assistance, courtesy transportation and a three-month complimentary subscription to OnStar and Satellite Radio.

“Enhancing the certified pre-owned program adds valuable benefits for customers and the entire Cadillac brand,” said Chase Hawkins, vice president of Cadillac U.S. sales and service. “Improving Certified Pre-Owned supports the ongoing long-term increase in resale value, and is another tool that will enable us to attract new customers.”

That’s good news for the used car market, which saw rising prices on short supplies when demand for leases fell during the recession. While Caldwell couldn’t offer specific figures, he said Cadillac lease rates fell below 10 percent of sales three years ago, but that it has since returned to 40 percent.

SEE ALSO: Cadillac Counts 11 Months of Sales Gains

Cadillac’s sales are still far from pre-recession levels, and over the past three years sales haven’t really improved much. At the worst point, the brand dipped to 109,000 units in 2009 and has since recovered to roughly 150,000 in 2012. That’s still far from the 214,000 units Cadillac reported in 2007, which is part of the reason why building a loyal customer base is so important if the brand hopes to keep building sales.

A reinvigorated product line will be central to that plan with the ATS compact sedan, XTS full-size and SRX crossover currently accounting for almost all the brand’s sales.

More products are on the way, and Cadillac’s rapid-fire approach could work if customers take the bait. Up next, there will be an all-new version of the now-larger CTS luxury sedan followed by a new Escalade.

Later down the line, GM is expected to offer a diesel version of the ATS. More immediately, the ELR will also serve as a luxury alternative to green car enthusiasts with tastes too discerning for Volt ownership.

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The 2014 Cadillac CTS has been generating a lot of buzz since its debut, and now the American automaker has released a computer-generated video showing off all the sedan’s fine details.

The video shines the spotlight on the new CTS, including details on the exterior, the luxurious interior, and the sedan driving around up in the mountains.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport is a Genuine German Alternative

The only unfortunate aspect of the video is not hearing the growl of the engine as it tears through the mountains, but beggars can’t be choosers.

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Cadillac reported its 11th consecutive month of sales growth yesterday, thanks in part to warm reception of the ATS and XTS sedans. That, however, is only just the start of the brand’s growth says Cadillac communications manager David Caldwell.

Last month the XTS full-size sedan sold 2,891 units—the highest volume of the brand’s portfolio. The ATS compact sedan came in a close second with 2,725.

“We’re simply looking for growth – we are already gaining market share and making progress, and we do expect that momentum to continue,” he said in an email. “The top priority is growth in the U.S. We do expect growth of about 50 percent in China this year.  That’s important.”

Cadillac’s young customer lure

Growth in the luxury car market is shifting away from its traditionally older customer base as brands like Audi, BMW and Mercedes move to modular platforms and lower entry prices. Those products are all front-wheel drive based, which is something German luxury turned a cold shoulder toward until very recently.

Cadillac almost went in the same direction with the ATS. In fact, the brand recently admitted that it tested a front-wheel drive version on the Nurburgring. It just wasn’t good enough.

SEE ALSO: The Cadillac ATS Was Almost a Rebadged Chevy Cruze

Where does that put Cadillac now? As Caldwell said, the brand is hungry for growth, and the approach seems to be working.

“The launch of XTS and ATS in the second half of 2012 of course gave us the ability to fully compete in key luxury car segments, head-to-head,” he said. “And now the consumer reception is strong, with new buyers coming in to the brand.”

2013 Cadillac ATS Review – Video

Perhaps most notably, Caldwell said conquest sales make up 80 percent of the ATS customer base. Additionally, 20 percent of its customers are younger than 35, which will be key to Cadillac’s continued success.

Strong sales and average transaction prices

Sales have been strong for the ATS Since its launch last year, with sales through last month totaling just under 19,500. That number bests the XTS, which posted strong sales for the brand as well with 17,940 units according to data from Automotive News.

“The average transaction price [for the brand] is rising – even following the launch of the smaller ATS,” he said while highlighted that the ATS is its second-best seller, behind the SRX crossover.

Transaction prices specifically for the ATS are actually about $1,000 higher than the base MSRP, which after delivery hovers just under $34,000. Initially, the transaction prices were between $38,000 and $39,000, something Caldwell attributed to the brand only offering higher trim levels.

Those numbers have leveled off in subsequent months and steadily remained around $35,000.

CTS to elevate brand image first, volume second

Cadillac’s next step will be to release an all-new version of the CTS, which moves upmarket in its new generation. First unveiled during the New York Auto Show, the CTS will be better positioned to compete against cars like the BMW 5 Series. The new Vsport variant offers a twin-turbo V6 with 420 hp.

Following the CTS, Cadillac will also introduce a new Escalade. The SUV came close to being cut from the brand’s family altogether, but its status as a perennial cash cow for the brand kept it alive.

2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport is a Genuine German Alternative

In the more immediate future, the CTS will offer Cadillac further growth and a more competitive edge against German brands. Interestingly, the aforementioned desire t expand isn’t the primary goal for the third-generation CTS.

“While we do look at it as a growth opportunity, it is also about elevating – establishing and growing prestige is just as important…” or perhaps even more important than overall volume, Caldwell said.

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Sitting somewhere below a truly autonomous vehicle is Cadillac‘s tech, which takes the monotony out of driving. The luxury automaker just announced that its high-tech hands-free technology is moving beyond the closed course and onto real roads.

Cadillac gives a pretty broad time-frame for is tech, saying it could hit production vehicles by the end of the decade. The system, dubbed Super Cruise, provides extra peace of mind in traffic, allowing for hands-off lane following, braking and speed control under certain driving conditions, making it ideal for long trips, or gridlock traffic-jams.

“Super Cruise is designed to give the driver the ability of hands-free driving when the system determines it is safe to do so,” says John Capp, from GM’s Active Safety Electronics team. “Before we introduce this capability on a production vehicle we must put the system through rigorous testing and technology refinement.”

The system works with forward looking cameras which provides information to the car to keep it in the middle of the lane, as well as how to detect turns and other road conditions. When the system can’t see the road ahead properly, such as when there are no lane markings or in poor weather situations, the system will prompt the driver to resume steering.

Cadillac says the building blocks for super cruise exists in the ATS and XTS sedans, which feature an available driver assist package which include lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and forward collision alert.

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Long rumored, the Cadillac ATS coupe has been confirmed and will be heading to dealerships next year.

Last week, the American automaker outlined its future product plans to its dealers and even showed off the ATS coupe at the event. According to those in attendance, the ATS coupe will essentially be a two-door version of the sedan model; a different approach than what Cadillac did with its CTS coupe, which shares very little with its sedan counterpart.

SEE ALSO: Cadillac CTS Coupe and Wagon Axed, ATS Coupe Likely

Which means the ATS coupe won’t be a far departure from the sedan’s styling, which is a good thing. Unfortunately, Cadillac didn’t disclose details on the ATS coupe’s launch but it should be arriving in mid-2014. The coupe’s engine options will likely include the 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder and a 3.6-liter V6 borrowed from the sedan. A high-performance V-Series will come at a later date.

[Source: GM Inside News]

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Cadillac’s first ATS advertising salvo saw the compact sport sedan running a series of picturesque hairpin turns, but the brand is going in a different direction with its latest marketing campaign.

Rather than actually showcasing the car’s performance – which the automotive press generally agrees is impressive – the new ad campaign centers on smashing fancy things breaking. Literally.

A fancy cake, a fancy clock, a fancy piano and even a fancy dining room all go up against some of the tests Cadillac puts the ATS through.

The clock breaks, the cake melts, and champagne bottles explode. You can watch all the ads in the new campaign below.

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Cadillac will look to re-ignite interest in its flagship SUV, debuting an all-new fourth-generation Escalade later this year, with a lone leaked photo hinting at what to anticipate.

Expected to carry on its boxy look, favoring imposing style over a swoopy aerodynamic shape, the 2014 Escalade gets thin yet tall headlights that run up the hood. As for the rear of the luxury truck, expect tall taillights that are thinner at the top, while the rear fenders will be more flared than the fronts. The truck will also feature a beltline that raises towards the rear, with smaller third row windows.

SEE ALSO: GM 5.3L V8 Detailed

Additional leaked details include standard power 3rd row fold flat seats, as well as a big improvement in materials.

Based on GM’s new truck platform (shared with the 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra), expect a new small-block V8 under the hood with direct injection and cylinder deactivation to improve fuel economy. There’s no word yet on if GM could also make use of the new twin-turbo V6 engine to strengthen the truck’s fuel economy rating further, or if the brand’s new 8-speed automatic transmission will be offered.

GALLERY: 2014 Cadillac CTS

[Source: Carscoops]

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The range extended Cadillac ELR makes use of paddle shifters like many other vehicles, but rather than controlling gear shifts, the ELR’s paddles are all about power regeneration on demand. 

Feeling like a downshift when the paddle is pulled, the range-extended electric ELR uses its momentum to charge its battery pack, while providing back pressure to the driver, until the paddle is released. Thanks to its electric power, the ELR has 295 lb-ft of torque instantly available, and all electric drive range of about 35 miles.

SEE ALSO: Cadillac ELR at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show

“Regen on Demand enables ELR drivers to actively re-capture energy when slowing down, such as when  approaching slower traffic or setting up for a tight turn,” said Chris Thomason, ELR chief engineer. “This allows the driver to take more active role in the electric vehicle driving experience.”

Due to hit the market in early 2014, the ELR puts a priority on sport-inspired driving and luxury compared to its mechanical twin the Chevy Volt, and offers an extra 58 hp and 22 lb-ft of torque over the Chevy.

GALLERY: 2014 Cadillac ELR at Detroit

GALLERY: 2014 Cadillac ELR

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Now that Cadillac has introduced its new 2014 CTS sedan to the world, the fate of the CTS coupe and wagon is up for discussion.

The goal of the new CTS sedan is to compete within the mid-luxury segment, allowing the ATS to target the entry-to-mid level luxury segment such as the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. According to sources close to the American luxurty automaker, the CTS coupe and wagon will be built alongside the new sedan for “at least a year,” but it is likely that after that, both models will be axed.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport is a Genuine German Alternative

It’s no surprise that the wagon is going, considering its sales has been weak at best. Last year, the wagon accounted for a mere seven percent of all CTS sales, and one in three of those were high-performance V models. As for a sporty Cadillac coupe model, it’ll come in the form of an ATS coupe. A competitive, entry-level luxury sports coupe will allow the American automaker to compete against other popular coupes such as the upcoming BMW 4-Series.

So if you’re on the fence of getting your hands on a CTS coupe or wagon, you might want to act fast. It’s just a matter of time before they become a thing of the past.

GALLERY: 2014 Cadillac CTS

[Source: Car and Driver]

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General Motors announced a $332 million investment into new powertrains today, including an eight-speed transmission slated for some of its vehicles by 2016.

Also part of the announcement is a new V6 engine, a new Ecotec small gas engine, and new tooling for an existing six-speed transmission.

The new eight-speeds will be built at GM’s Toledo Transmission Operations plant, where the brand will be investing $55.7 million this year. The General says that the eight-speed will be in use in a number of products by 2016, two of which are almost certain.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Chevy Corvette, Cadillac Models Getting Eight-Speeds

The 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra are a shoe in to get the transmission, to help them fight the war that is being waged for increased pickup truck fuel economy. During a conference call about the trucks, GM executives confirmed that the transmissions will be updated in the Silverado and Sierra, although specific details weren’t discussed.

The other product almost certainly getting an eight-speed is the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. Early reports suggested the new Vette was going to get the eight-speed, but that didn’t come true because the new transmission wasn’t ready in time.

The new 2014 Cadillac CTS is one of the first new products from the General to receive an eight-speed transmission, but it is supplied by Aisin. The control systems, programming and features however are all GM designed, but the unit itself isn’t produced by GM yet.

SEE ALSO: Chevy Volt, Cadillac ELR May Get 3-Cylinder Engine

GM is also putting $215 million into Flint Engine Operations, which will build a a new small EcoTec gasoline engine that is part of a new global family of three- and four-cylinder engines. Rumors suggest that the next Volt will use a three-cylinder powerplant as a range extender, which seems more likely now that this engine has been announced, and because it will be produced in the U.S.

The last of the investment is for new tooling for an existing six-speed transmission, and for an all-new V6 engine. GM has poured $1.8 billion into six Powertrain facilities since 2009.

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When GM was developing the Cadillac ATS, the American automaker faced a predicament: build the luxury sedan on an existing, front-wheel drive Delta platform, or build an entirely new rear-wheel drive architecture.

Now named the North American Car of the Year, it’s clear that GM made the right choice on building an entirely new rear-wheel drive “Alpha” platform for the ATS. But that almost never happened; in fact, a test mule was built on the Delta platform and was even being tested until Cadillac decided that a newly-built rear-wheel drive architecture was the way to go in order to compete with the German automakers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Cadillac ATS Named North American Car of the Year

The existing Delta platform, which underpins the Chevrolet Cruze, Volt, and the Buick Verano, was a viable option in order to save cash. But without the proper weight balance and a light rear-wheel drive architecture, the American automaker ultimately decided that an investment was needed. And obviously the investment has paid off, with the Alpha platform also underpinning the newly-introduced Cadillac CTS. It will also be used on the next-generation Camaro due out in 2015.

“We were going to do a front-wheel-drive Cadillac compact off of Delta because it was going to be less expensive,” Doug Parks, GM’s vice president of global product programs, told me at the Detroit auto show in January. “There were people in the organization saying, ‘It’ll be OK. We can dial it in.’”

[Source: Automotive News]

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Now that the 2014 Cadillac CTS has made its official debut at the 2013 New York Auto Show, the American automaker has released a series of videos showing off the vehicle.

Powering the CTS in top trim is a 420 hp twin-turbo V6 engine – more output than a BMW 550i. At the base, a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (borrowed from the ATS) making 272 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque and achieving 30 mpg on the highway is offered. Stepping up a level, a direct injection 3.6-liter V6 making 321 hp is available matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission in rear-drive models (or a 6-speed auto for AWD models).

Check out the videos from Cadillac below.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport is a Genuine German Alternative

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