PEBBLE BEACH, California: The EXT version of Hollywood's hottest car — the Cadillac Escalade — will carry an MSRP of $65,900 when it arrives in dealer showrooms in January.
The "Slade," as it's known to the young and the hip in LA, is so hot among actors and recording stars that the Canadian native in charge of marketing it says she doesn't have to give them any deals to get them to buy it.
Susan Docherty, who is the brand manager for the regular Escalade and the EXT pickup truck version, says she regularly turns down celebrity requests for special prices on the "world's most powerful SUV" and yet it still sells likely crazy in LA.
She's confident that the EXT model will continue to attract celebrity attention, and may actually increase star interest because of its unusual nature. It is, after all, half-SUV and half-pickup and all attitude, which really plays in LA-LA land.
It shouldn't do too badly in Canada either, since upscale SUVs are surprisingly popular and there is really nothing to challenge the EXT in this market since Ford of Canada decided not to bring in the Lincoln Blackwood, which is the only other luxury Sport Utility Truck (SUT) on the market.
"The EXT is unique in the Canadian marketplace," said Canadian Cadillac Brand Manager Norm Sawula. "It offers the luxury amenities of an SUV with the extended capabilities of a premium pickup truck. With a 345-horsepower engine, StabiliTrak, a reconfigurable Midgate, ultrasonic rear parking assist, OnStar, and all-wheel-drive, the 2002 Escalade EXT is an extraordinary vehicle for the price."