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4 GM models dead for 2012

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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 09:22 AM
  #1  
LexFather
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Post 4 GM models dead for 2012

Buick Lucerne
Cadillac DTS
Cadillac STS
Chevrolet HHR

http://www.donlen.com/build-out-start-up-dates.aspx

Lucerne is still selling around 2k a month and probably could sell more if a new model came.
So Caddy will have a lineup of
CTS
SRX
Esclade

Until the ATS and XTS comes?
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Buick Lucerne
Cadillac DTS
Cadillac STS
Chevrolet HHR

http://www.donlen.com/build-out-start-up-dates.aspx

Lucerne is still selling around 2k a month and probably could sell more if a new model came.
So Caddy will have a lineup of
CTS
SRX
Esclade

Until the ATS and XTS comes?
The 2k per month on Lucerne is surprising considering what a big sales success LaCrosse has been. No doubt a lot of traditional Buick buyers are sticking with the older model.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 09:39 AM
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Wow..

Do you know how many units they were selling at the end? Cant be many for the STS or DTS.

I guess the CTS/Escalade are probably carrying the entire Caddy line up.

The CTS seems like a pretty good car.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by LexBob2
The 2k per month on Lucerne is surprising considering what a big sales success LaCrosse has been. No doubt a lot of traditional Buick buyers are sticking with the older model.
Not really that surprising at all........as good as the new LaCrosse is in several areas, there is a reason WHY they are sticking with the old model. I, for one, predicted that would happen.....and, if the present Lucerne is replaced, it will spur the market for used Lucernes.

I talked to the Buick reps at the D.C. Auto Show, and they admitted that GM management may be making an error dropping the present Lucerne. They told me they got a LOT of comments from irate customers there. The Cadillac reps tried, at first, to emphasize the new replacement for the present DTS/STS, but then admitted that the present DTS, despite its significant powertrain and interior-quality flaws, has a strong customer-base. They also admitted that the new replacement, with its lower-profile tires, would probably not provide the same smooth, floaty ride that DTS customers traditionally want. Lincoln found that out when they replaced the Town Car with the firmer-riding MKS, and sales have suffered.

Last edited by mmarshall; Feb 14, 2011 at 10:11 AM.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 10:26 AM
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they're probably killing the models because they're built (inefficiently) on outdated production lines by vastly overpaid uaw workers.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 10:39 AM
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All crap that should have been eliminated/purged a few years ago.

At least a post-bankruptcy GM doesn't quite as long to make decisions.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by mmarshall
Not really that surprising at all........as good as the new LaCrosse is in several areas, there is a reason WHY they are sticking with the old model. I, for one, predicted that would happen.....and, if the present Lucerne is replaced, it will spur the market for used Lucernes.

I talked to the Buick reps at the D.C. Auto Show, and they admitted that GM management may be making an error dropping the present Lucerne. They told me they got a LOT of comments from irate customers there. The Cadillac reps tried, at first, to emphasize the new replacement for the present DTS/STS, but then admitted that the present DTS, despite its significant powertrain and interior-quality flaws, has a strong customer-base. They also admitted that the new replacement, with its lower-profile tires, would probably not provide the same smooth, floaty ride that DTS customers traditionally want. Lincoln found that out when they replaced the Town Car with the firmer-riding MKS, and sales have suffered.
I rarely see any DTS's which makes me think that it really won't be missed too much.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by SLegacy99
I rarely see any DTS's which makes me think that it really won't be missed too much.
Agreed. Many of the lingering DTS drivers have one foot in grave, hardly the growth market. Even those that can legally retain a drivers license don't buy cars often enough to matter (they buy cars fewer cars per decade than the average car buyer). Not to mention the car is a poor quality, sloppy handing, poor performing, ugly, with mediocre fuel economy pos.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 12:47 PM
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They sell around 1500 DTS a month. Now that is a lot for an older car in the 45k-55k price range. I think its idiotic they will not replace it and blend the STS/DTS with a FWD V-6 only XTS that looks like a giant avalon.

Also the Lucerne might be old but also is a good seller and offers a V-8 though FWD.

I assume they figure those Lucerne customers will jump to a Lacrosse. I can see that. CAddy though, bone headed moves.

Then they don't have replacements ready, so sales will go down.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 12:53 PM
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Many of the DTS cars cruising around Silicon Valley are rental cars, they do serve a purpose for those wanting comfy corporate transportation (versus a minivan or giant SUV). Rental/fleet sales must make up a large portion of sales.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 01:18 PM
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I rarely ever see the DTS around here. They just need to bring back the XLR. That was one of the coolest looking cars in the past ten years.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 01:29 PM
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Without the DTS, there's not too many options for funeral home limousines.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by bitkahuna
they're probably killing the models because they're built (inefficiently) on outdated production lines by vastly overpaid uaw workers.
ha!!

nice post!

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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 02:26 PM
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I think the Chevy Orlando concept will take the place of the Chevy HHR and take over "minivan" duties. Competing against Fords Flex and C-max
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 03:07 PM
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Originally Posted by mmarshall
Not really that surprising at all........as good as the new LaCrosse is in several areas, there is a reason WHY they are sticking with the old model. I, for one, predicted that would happen.....and, if the present Lucerne is replaced, it will spur the market for used Lucernes.

I talked to the Buick reps at the D.C. Auto Show, and they admitted that GM management may be making an error dropping the present Lucerne. They told me they got a LOT of comments from irate customers there. The Cadillac reps tried, at first, to emphasize the new replacement for the present DTS/STS, but then admitted that the present DTS, despite its significant powertrain and interior-quality flaws, has a strong customer-base. They also admitted that the new replacement, with its lower-profile tires, would probably not provide the same smooth, floaty ride that DTS customers traditionally want. Lincoln found that out when they replaced the Town Car with the firmer-riding MKS, and sales have suffered.

A certain percentage of former Lucerne buyers who want to remain with Buick, will move over to the LaCrosse. The remainder who choose not to will have to look elsewhere. It won't be a very large number of buyers in the big scheme of things.
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