The car is expected to be based on GM's all-new rear-wheel drive Kappa architecture that will soon underpin the production Pontiac Solstice roadster, among others. If GM goes ahead with a BMW 3-Series fighter, it wouldn't become available for another three years at least.
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| Cadillac's future small car is expected to be built on GM's all-new rear-wheel drive Kappa architecture. (Photo: General Motors Canada) |
When it does arrive Cadillac hopes to have a much stronger European dealership network in place. The luxury division appointed Dutch retail group Kroymans Corp. B.V. to head up the construction of 25 Cadillac "Experience Center" dealerships in major cities across the continent, to be finished by 2010 when LaNeve hopes the brand will be selling up to 10,000 units per year in the European market alone.
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| When asked if Cadillac would build a USD$150,000+ sedan, similar to the Sixteen concept, Cadillac's general manager Mark LaNeve commented, "I think we'll do one." (Photo: General Motors Canada) |
Plans are afoot to build Cadillacs in China as well, as soon as later this year. China is the world's fastest growing new car market and GM wants to make sure its most aspirational brand is an integral part of society's developmental ladder.
No doubt an ultra-luxury sedan such as the Sixteen Concept that debuted last year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit would be best suited to North American markets, due to its massive size alone, but a super sedan would do much to get it noticed within emerging markets too. LaNeve mentioned that such a sedan, priced at about USD$150,000 in top trim, is still not out of the question. "I think we'll do one," he commented.