Cadillac ATS confirmed - new details emerge

 Cadillac ATS confirmed - new details emerge
GM today confirmed a new Entry Level Cadillac below the CTS

Launches in late 2012 or early 2013

GM has announced plans to invest $190 million in their Lansing Grand River assembly plant for the production of a new entry-level Cadillac.

While the company is staying mum on details, CEO Dan Akerson said "America's fastest-growing luxury brand this year is about to get even more competitive with the addition of an all-new small luxury car." He added, "This investment demonstrates GM's commitment to Cadillac and to a strong U.S. manufacturing base."

Despite Akerson's vague statements, the car will be called the ATS when it launches in late 2012 or early 2013. It will slot below the CTS and compete with the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, and Mercedes C-Class.

Set to ride on the rear-wheel drive Alpha platform, which will also underpin the next-generation CTS and Chevrolet Camaro, the ATS will reportedly be offered as a sedan, coupe, convertible, and wagon.  Additionally, the company has previously stated the car will feature high-tech engines and optional all-wheel drive.

Source: GM and Automotive News

GM to Invest $190 Million, Add 600 Jobs at Lansing Grand River


General Motors today announced a $190 million investment in its Lansing Grand River assembly plant for the production of a new Cadillac model. The investment will create 600 jobs and result in the addition of a second shift.

"America's fastest-growing luxury brand this year is about to get even more competitive with the addition of an all-new small luxury car," said GM Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson. "This investment demonstrates GM's commitment to Cadillac and to a strong U.S. manufacturing base."

The announcement brings the total of new U.S. investment to more than $3.1 billion and more than 7,900 jobs that GM has created or retained in 21 U.S. plants since emerging from bankruptcy in July 2009.

Built in 2001, Lansing Grand River is GM's second-newest U.S. assembly plant and the manufacturing home of the Cadillac CTS and STS as well as their V-series performance versions. Earlier this year Lansing Grand River received the J.D. Power and Associates Bronze Plant Award for initial quality.

Joe Ashton, UAW vice president of the GM Department, said, "Today's announcement is further proof of what UAW President Bob King said earlier this summer, ‘The UAW recognizes the paramount importance of innovation, flexibility and partnership with management to respond to global economic pressures. We are proud to play our part in the turnaround at GM. Our mission is to make the highest quality products for the best value.'

"The members of UAW Local 652 have consistently demonstrated that they can compete with any labor force on the globe," Ashton added. "The commitment, dedication, and hard work of GM's UAW members provide the foundation for the positive news coming from the company."

This year, the Lansing Grand River team launched the CTS Coupe, lauded by the automotive press for groundbreaking design and outstanding performance. The Coupe extends the CTS line, which has been named to Car and Driver's 10 Best list for three straight years. It shares design cues with the CTS Sport Sedan, but the Coupe has a wider track, lower roofline and shorter length, giving it an aggressive stance and sleek, athletic profile

The timing of the new Cadillac and the new jobs as well as the start of the second shift will be announced later.

 

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 B_M_Gearhead B_M_Gearhead
First the CTS coupe and now this upcoming ATS. This is generally referred to as "Kicking ass and taking names!"
October 29, 2010 4:21 pm
 6SPEEDV8 6SPEEDV8
yes BM keep flattering yourself.
October 30, 2010 5:34 pm
 B_M_Gearhead B_M_Gearhead
Flattering myself? I have never owned a Cadillac and have nothing to do with them. I just know so much about cars I can tell when something is good and I give credit where it is due.
November 1, 2010 9:24 am
 B_M_Gearhead B_M_Gearhead
Or maybe just "Snapping necks, and writing checks!"
October 29, 2010 4:24 pm
 najdier najdier
Oh, really. Just be glad Cadillac is being invited to the party. It is at the "We are comparable and competitive" stage. Remember, it is still under the dinosaurship..er..ownership of GM.
October 30, 2010 2:23 pm
 Snark Snark
Comparable and competitive? I've witnessed CTS-Vs handing M3s, RS4s, and AMG MBs their asses on the track, repeatedly. Oh, and they do it for thousands of dollars less. Cadillac doesn't have much to apologize for...unless you think its American origins are something to be ashamed of, which I don't.
October 31, 2010 9:46 am
 B_M_Gearhead B_M_Gearhead
I get it dinosaurship! Good comparison because dinosaurs are outdated and extinct and GM is, as of recently, absolutely cutting edge, groundbreaking, and highly profitable, oh wait a second, that's a horrible comparison. I love it when the number one car manufacturer in the world falls to number two everybody thinks they are aweful. But when a euro manufacturer moves from 13th to 14th it's no biggie. You don't even care about it.
November 1, 2010 9:40 am
 B_M_Gearhead B_M_Gearhead
Oh, and GM wasn't invited to the party. They crashed it, walked over and took their glass of champagne, and then took their trophy wife home for the night. Then told her to get the $@&$ out the next morning.
November 1, 2010 9:46 am
 najdier najdier
I used to think American cars could never be designed and engineered well. Then the M-Class, X5, Odyssey and Avalon proved me wrong. American workers can build top-notch cars under the right management. Cadillac is experiencing a styling and engineering renaissance, but that's only because home-grown American carmakers perform at their best under the pressure of intense competition and when staring death in the face. As soon as they feel safe they go back to business as usual and the bean counters resume running the company. Long-term and product-centric planning has never been a trait of GM, Ford or Chrysler.
November 1, 2010 2:51 pm
 rcw rcw
Wow! Very cool! I hope the execution is as good or better than the CTS (which I happen to love)
October 29, 2010 5:03 pm
 theyngturk theyngturk
heck yesss, now this is a way to go
October 29, 2010 6:40 pm
 xLumino xLumino
why Cadillac dosn't fit the BLS for the american market? They already have a car in the B-segment, so isn't it possible to share only one for both clientels? Develop the BLS and invest in more modern technologies like plug-in hybrids for massproduction...
October 30, 2010 3:49 am
 Shaktiman Shaktiman
cmpletely agree with xLumino.. it makes more sense to develop the existing car you have.. the BLS is a good looking car so Cadillac has to concentrate on improving its interiors and dynamics only.. instead of doing it from scratch..
October 30, 2010 5:19 am
 Snark Snark
You're both completely out to lunch. The BLS is based on an outgoing GM platform - Epsilon is being discontinued and replaced with the vastly superior Epsilon II. It's also poorly styled, FWD only, and a cheap rebadge of the Saab 9-3. Oh, and let's not forget that it's a complete and utter sales failure, with fewer than 8000 sold total. GM is ALREADY developing Alpha to underpin the new Holden Commodore family, the new Camaro, and the next CTS. Alpha is a newer platform that will offer RWD and vastly better dynamics while offering space for a V8. They'll be able to build a coupe, sedan, crossover, and convertible on that platform. Oh, and it'll be a new, excellent platform, not a variant of a 12 year old Opel. And guess what? Cadillac can do all that and continue to build cars that match BMWs on the track for tens of thousands of dollars less, with interior quality that matches up to BMW too. They already do that. They don't need to sell a crappy 9-3 rebadge to do it. Seriously, do you even think about what you post?
October 31, 2010 9:43 am
 GTurbo GTurbo
So, what happens to the BLS now? The reception to the forthcoming all-new ATS (by global auto journalists and customers) could answer that question!
October 30, 2010 7:04 am
 Snark Snark
The BLS is already discontinued, because it sold 8000 copies in three years. The ATS replaces it completely.
October 31, 2010 9:44 am
 Hero Sina Hero Sina
i think Cadillac doesn't remember Cimarron , it was a big fail, when was the last a small Cadillac got big sale number?
October 30, 2010 10:52 am
 Arto-7 Arto-7
Pick up the pace with that new Lincoln lineup Ford..
October 31, 2010 2:26 am
 schizo schizo
The CTS isn't a competitor to the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, and MB C-Class?? Then what segment is it in?
November 1, 2010 5:35 am
 Dolomight 74-86 Dolomight 74-86
Ever since it got bigger in the last gen I'd say its in A/S6, 5 series & E class territory.
November 1, 2010 12:13 pm