Cadillac already has George W. Bush riding around in a limousine with their name on it, and now they're looking people without their own Secret Service detail to do the same.
Do this week they unveiled limousine versions of the DTS and Escalade ESVe models at the New York auto show. Both will be available soon through the Cadillac Master Coachbuilder Program.
''These new Cadillac limousines feature technologies geared to the passenger and luxuriously appointed and spacious interiors,'' says Jim Taylor, the Canadian who is now the general manager of Cadillac. He describes these two vehicles as being the latest additions to Cadillac's continued product renaissance.''
Taylor says the brand's ''intention is to launch vehicles that are boldly designed, powerful and feature driver- and passenger-friendly technologies. We expect that the DTS and Escalade ESVe (''e'' stands for executive) limousines will appeal to affluent individuals, celebrities, executives and leading ground transportation companies in North America.''
New York was an obvious place to showcase these two models, Taylor says, as it's ''the heart of the largest ground transportation market.''
In addition to the sheer volume of new limousines that are sold annually, says Taylor, Cadillac is focusing on the number of passengers that ride in chauffeur-driven vehicles. ''Our professional vehicle product portfolio offers a tremendous opportunity to expose millions of people who may not be familiar with our most recent offerings to a truly re-energized Cadillac brand,'' he said.
Cadillac estimates that at least 2.6 million people travel in Cadillac professional vehicles each year, and that's at least 2.6 million potential customers for Cadillac products, in Taylor's view.
The 2006 DTS limousine, constructed on Cadillac's specially engineered, heavy-duty DTS limousine chassis, features a 1,778-mm wheelbase extension.
''The exterior keeps with Cadillac's signature contemporary design of the DTS retail model,'' Taylor says, but ''it is equipped with new front-end sheet metal, grille, fascia and standard high-intensity xenon headlamps. The new decklid, rear quarter, rear fascia and light-emitting diode (LED) tail lamps and CHMSL (centre high-mounted stoplight) are also new.''
With seating for six passengers in the rear compartment, ''the luxurious and sophisticated interior of the DTS is taken to new heights.'' The DTS limousine features a technologically advanced multi-media center, including a 22-inch LCD TV mounted in the partition, an AM/FM stereo with CD and XM radio capabilities, a five-speaker premium sound, a DVD player, wireless headphones, and a tablet PC.
Rear seat passenger comfort and convenience is also a priority in the DTS limousine, says Taylor. The forward-facing rear seat is heated and has a power reclining feature. Passengers will also find electronically controlled doors in the burled elm consoles, a writing table, vanity mirrors, a refreshment compartment and refrigerator, a magazine rack and even a humidor.
''Passengers are in complete command of their personal sanctuary,'' Taylor says, ''with fingertip controls for the enhanced HVAC system, intercom system, privacy partition, direct and indirect LED lighting, and more.''
Do this week they unveiled limousine versions of the DTS and Escalade ESVe models at the New York auto show. Both will be available soon through the Cadillac Master Coachbuilder Program.
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| Jim Taylor (photo : General Motors) |
Taylor says the brand's ''intention is to launch vehicles that are boldly designed, powerful and feature driver- and passenger-friendly technologies. We expect that the DTS and Escalade ESVe (''e'' stands for executive) limousines will appeal to affluent individuals, celebrities, executives and leading ground transportation companies in North America.''
New York was an obvious place to showcase these two models, Taylor says, as it's ''the heart of the largest ground transportation market.''
In addition to the sheer volume of new limousines that are sold annually, says Taylor, Cadillac is focusing on the number of passengers that ride in chauffeur-driven vehicles. ''Our professional vehicle product portfolio offers a tremendous opportunity to expose millions of people who may not be familiar with our most recent offerings to a truly re-energized Cadillac brand,'' he said.
Cadillac estimates that at least 2.6 million people travel in Cadillac professional vehicles each year, and that's at least 2.6 million potential customers for Cadillac products, in Taylor's view.
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| 2006 Cadillac DTS Limousine (photo : General Motors) |
''The exterior keeps with Cadillac's signature contemporary design of the DTS retail model,'' Taylor says, but ''it is equipped with new front-end sheet metal, grille, fascia and standard high-intensity xenon headlamps. The new decklid, rear quarter, rear fascia and light-emitting diode (LED) tail lamps and CHMSL (centre high-mounted stoplight) are also new.''
With seating for six passengers in the rear compartment, ''the luxurious and sophisticated interior of the DTS is taken to new heights.'' The DTS limousine features a technologically advanced multi-media center, including a 22-inch LCD TV mounted in the partition, an AM/FM stereo with CD and XM radio capabilities, a five-speaker premium sound, a DVD player, wireless headphones, and a tablet PC.
Rear seat passenger comfort and convenience is also a priority in the DTS limousine, says Taylor. The forward-facing rear seat is heated and has a power reclining feature. Passengers will also find electronically controlled doors in the burled elm consoles, a writing table, vanity mirrors, a refreshment compartment and refrigerator, a magazine rack and even a humidor.
''Passengers are in complete command of their personal sanctuary,'' Taylor says, ''with fingertip controls for the enhanced HVAC system, intercom system, privacy partition, direct and indirect LED lighting, and more.''