Cadillac’s five new cars will account for half of domestic SUVs.
With the commissioning of the exclusive factory in Jinqiao, Cadillac will speed up its domestic production and strive to increase its market share in China luxury car to 10% in 2020. Shi Hong, deputy general manager of SAIC-GM, said: "By 2020, Cadillac will invest eight domestic models in China, covering all mainstream market segments of cars and SUVs." At present, Cadillac has three domestic models. Netcom combed its new car planning and found that three of the five new models made in China in the next five years are expected to be SUVs.
In 2015, Cadillac brand sales in China exceeded 80,000, up 8.9% year-on-year. However, there is still a certain gap between this achievement and the previously set target of 100,000. In Shi Hong’s view, product shortage is Cadillac’s biggest shortcoming at present, and it is difficult to achieve rapid growth before solving this problem. However, this situation will soon improve. Shi Hong revealed that before the end of 2020, Cadillac’s domestic models will increase to 8 models.
From announcing the establishment of a new headquarters and an independent business department, to sorting out a brand-new naming system, and then launching a brand-new flagship car CT6, Cadillac’s revival plan is being fully implemented. General Motors will invest $12 billion to build about 10 new cars for Cadillac, including new entry cars positioned lower than Cadillac ATS, and a variety of crossover SUVs. China has now become Cadillac’s largest market outside the United States. Uwe Ellinghaus, global chief marketing officer of Cadillac brand, said: "Now Cadillac launched in China and the United States are very synchronized". These new cars are expected to enter the China market in the future.
The fiery heat of domestic SUVs is obvious to all. At present, Cadillac only has two SUVs, Escalade and SRX, both of which are imported models. XT5, the replacement model of SRX this year, will be made directly in China. Cadillac will cover more SUV market segments in the future. According to Cadillac’s plan, a new compact SUV will be unveiled in the second half of 2017 and listed in 2018. The new car is expected to be named "XT4". In addition, Cadillac also plans to launch a 7-seat SUV to compete with Volvo XC90 and Audi Q7. This new car is expected to be launched in 2018.
While improving the layout of SUV products, Cadillac sedan plate will also cover more market segments. Cadillac has planned to launch a new compact car that is positioned below ATS. The new car will be built on the rear-drive platform, mainly competing with Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz CLA and other models. Cadillac CT6 has been listed in China at present. According to Cadillac’s plan, a large car with a positioning higher than CT6 will be launched in the future to compete with BMW 7 Series and other models.
In addition to introducing more domestic models, Cadillac will also work hard on its sales strategy. In Shi Hong’s view, the "shortcut" for Cadillac to increase its market share is to improve the customer conversion of SAIC-GM. "Before 2020, it will be enough for the Regal, LaCrosse and Mai Rui Bao to give 50,000 vehicles to CT6 every year. We need to develop more specific sales strategies and communication schemes. For example, when Cadillac CT6 goes public, we can solve this problem by introducing replacement subsidies, and there will be more ways in the future. " Shi Hong said. (Netcom News Agency reported in Beijing on February 26, 2016)