1991 Cadillac Allante on 2040-cars

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Why Cadillac thinks it needs to succeed in Europe to sell cars elsewhere

Ward's Auto has taken an interesting look at the renewed focus General Motors is showing towards Cadillac in Europe. Susan Docherty, president and managing director of Chevrolet and Cadillac in Europe (pictured), says in order for the luxury brand to thrive in China, it first needs to succeed in the old country. The reason? Chinese buyers look to Europe for cues as to what's deemed worthy of the term "luxury." There are hurdles to the plan, however. In addition to the fact that the EU is flooded with high-end nameplates, GM doesn't necessarily have the distribution network in place to put buyers behind the wheel.
Combine that with persistent economic woes and Cadillac's checkered past marred by a lack of diesel engine options and a bankrupt distributor, and the road ahead for the brand looks like less of an uphill climb and more like a straight-up cliff face. But Docherty is optimistic and says she has a plan for the brand. We recommend heading over to Ward's for a closer look at the full read.

2021 Cadillac CT5-V makes a few changes for its second year

An order guide for the 2021 Cadillac CT5-V reveals a number of small changes to the sedan's formula going into its second year on the market. Starting with the superficial, the $1,225 Red Obsession Tintcoat exterior color and the $625 CT5-V-exclusive Royal Spice Metallic depart after this model year. They'll be replaced by Infrared Tintcoat and another color exclusive to this model called Rift Metallic. Since all but Summit White and Black Raven are cost-option Premium hues, the new colors should be expected to add to the price. Materially, the interior finish spiffs up with better-quality Modena leather stitched around the steering wheel rim, and Senza leather on the wheel center.    Next year, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will come standard, a promotion over the current wired systems. Getting around the infotainment screens will be easier thanks to a rotary dial that can slide laterally to choose menu items. The digital radio moves up to SiriusXM 360L, providing 4G streaming functionality. For the younger drivers in the family, the Teen Driver System will include Buckle to Drive. On the current CT5-V, the Navigation and Bose Premium Audio Package adds the Cadillac user experience with navigation, a 15-speaker Bose audio system, and an eight-inch configurable Driver Information Center display between the dash cluster gauges. For 2021, the eight-inch display is discontinued, so the package gains wireless phone charging. A new Technology Package replaces the current eight-inch DIC with a 12-inch configurable digital gauge cluster that sprouts a head-up display taken from the Driver Awareness Plus Package. The Technology Package will be included in the Platinum Package that right now costs $6,290, and that automatically adds the $4,190 Premium Package and $1,950 Driver Assist and Advanced Security Package. Based on current prices, the order guide indicates the Platinum Package will cost at least $12,430. Because of such bundling, the same package on the 2020 CT5-V 'roids up the MSRP by $13,730. Without ordering the Platinum Package, both the Navigation and Technology Packages will require the Premium Package.

What will the next Presidential limo look like?

With recent news that the Secret Service has begun soliciting proposals for a new armored limousine, we've been wondering what the next presidential limo might look like. The current machine, nicknamed "The Beast", has a design based on a car that's no longer sold: the Cadillac DTS. If General Motors gets the job again, which wouldn't be a surprise considering the government still owns a chunk of the company, the next limo's shape would likely resemble the new XTS (below, left). But Cadillac hasn't always been the go-to car company for presidential whips.
Lincoln has actually provided far more presidential limousines throughout history than Cadillac. In fact, the first car modified for Commander-in-Chief-carrying duty was a 1939 Lincoln K-Series called "Sunshine Special" used by Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the last Lincoln used by a president was a 1989 Town Car ordered for George H.W. Bush. If President Obama wanted a Lincoln today, it would likely be an amalgam of the MKS sedan and MKT crossover, as illustrated above.
And what about Chrysler? The only record we could find of a President favoring the Pentastar is Nixon, who reportedly ordered two limos from the company during his administration in the '70s, and then another one, known today as the "K-Car limo," in the '80s after he left office. Obama, however, has a personal - if modest - connection to Chryslers, having owned a 300 himself before he took office. A 300-based Beast (above, right) would certainly earn the U.S. some style points.