Cadillac supports further variants of it's ATS model.

Cadillac wants to leverage the success of its ATS compact sedan with a few variant models, global brand chief Bob Ferguson says.

Ferguson said General Motors is "absolutely" planning at least one variant beyond the coupe that debuted at the auto show here last week and a V series high-performance model, which Cadillac is expected to unveil sometime this year. He said a convertible and a wagon are being considered.

"You've made the investment. You've built a brand within a brand," Ferguson said of the ATS. "If you have a winner, you should exploit that and offer variations."

Cadillac is positioning its lineup to compete better with BMW and Mercedes-Benz, deep-pocketed brands that have mastered the art of building lineups of variants --wagons, convertibles, performance models, diesels, electrified versions -- under one nameplate.

In 2012, GM global product chief Mark Reuss, then GM North America president, told Automotive News that plans for an ATS convertible were "pretty much designed," but that GM was holding off on a decision.

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USA - Cadillac introduces the 2015 ATS

• Cadillac’s first compact luxury Coupe, infused with ATS sedan’s agility
• 2.0L Turbo model is segment’s lightest, with increased torque for faster acceleration
• Launching in summer 2014, continuing Cadillac’s ongoing expansion

Cadillac today introduced the all-new 2015 ATS Coupe, a quicker and more personal addition to the award-winning ATS product line. Designed to be lighter, more agile and more engaging than its competitors, it extends Cadillac’s product-driven growth and the brand’s tradition of dynamic luxury Coupes.

Cadillac’s first-ever compact luxury Coupe goes on sale this summer, offering drivers the choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and the power from a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.6L six-cylinder. In all combinations, ATS Coupe takes advantage of its lightweight and strong structure to deliver exhilarating performance with efficiency, with a segment-leading power-to-weight ratio.

“The 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe is a natural step in the brand's progression, and another fun-to-drive and technologically advanced product for a new generation of drivers extending our target groups,” said Uwe Ellinghaus, chief marketing officer, Global Cadillac. “It is an exclusively distinctive American alternative, unique in its class, yet delivering a sporty and sophisticated driving experience rivaling the world's best.”

Like the sedan, the ATS Coupe’s driving dynamics are rooted in mass efficiency, which helps make it one of Cadillac’s lightest and most agile models ever – and the lightest car in the compact luxury Coupe segment. The 2.0L Turbo engine is upgraded from the current ATS sport sedan to deliver nearly 14 percent more torque, taking it to 295 lb-ft (400 Nm). This gives the standard ATS Coupe an advantage in power and weight over similarly equipped Coupes such as the BMW 428i.

Greater torque means greater pulling power, for a greater feeling of responsiveness at low speeds, and helps the ATS Coupe achieve an estimated 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds.

“More power with less weight is always a better combination for performance, and the ATS Coupe offers one of the best power-to-weight ratios in the segment, making it feel lighter, more direct and responsive,” said David Leone, Cadillac executive chief engineer. “Engineers vetted the ATS’s performance on the track, and the Coupe benefits from that exhaustive validation – all matched with Cadillac’s trademark refinement.”

Elements that contribute to the ATS Coupe’s balanced performance and responsive characteristics include:

• Nearly perfect 50/50 weight balance and low center of gravity
• Five-link independent rear suspension featuring lightweight, high-strength steel and efficient straight link designs
• A multi-link double-pivot MacPherson-strut front suspension with direct-acting stabilizer bar
• Underbody aerodynamic shields
• Premium, belt-driven electric variable-effort steering gear from ZF Steering Systems
• Brembo front brakes
• Eighteen-inch aluminum wheels
• Available all-wheel drive.

A driver-adjustable FE3 sport suspension is available and includes Magnetic Ride Control, a mechanical limited-slip differential, high-capacity engine cooling system and 18-inch summer-performance tires. Magnetic Ride Control is a real-time damping system that delivers more precise body motion control. It “reads” the road and can change damping every millisecond.

Design details

The 2015 ATS Coupe rides on the same 109.3-inch (2,775 mm) wheelbase as the sedan, but features its own bodywork. The roof, doors, rear fenders and trunk lid are unique to the Coupe, along with a specific front fascia and front fenders that accommodate a wider track than the sedan. It is also the first production model to wear Cadillac’s revised crest.

The Coupe also has an aggressive stance, with wider front/rear tracks than the sedan, enhanced by short overhangs and sheet metal that wrap tautly around the tires. Standard 18-inch wheels are exclusive to the Coupe.

Bold lighting elements are a Cadillac signature feature and the ATS Coupe advances that tradition with available light-emitting diode, or LED, headlamps with Adaptive Forward Lighting. Base models feature projector-beam headlamps, while high-intensity-discharge headlamps and front vertical LED light signatures are included on all but the standard model. Illuminating outside door handles on Performance and Premium collections lend technologically advanced style and function to the distinctive Coupe. All models feature LED taillamps and rear-center stop lamp.

The ATS Coupe also includes capless fueling.

Inside, the sedan’s driver-focused cabin carries over to the Coupe, featuring handcrafted cut-and-sewn upholstered interior combinations, decorative stitching and authentic materials, including leather, aluminium, carbon fiber and wood, intended to enhance the emotional connection to the driving experience.

Choices of many interior color themes, each with unique accent trim materials, ranging from light, open and warm to dark and serious, to bold technical and sporty.

Available interior features include:

• OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot
• Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity with natural voice recognition
• Text-to-voice that converts incoming text messages to speech and reads them over the audio system speakers
• USB, auxiliary and SD memory card ports
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio with three-month trial subscription
• Reconfigurable 5.7-inch, three-window instrument panel cluster display
• Full-color reconfigurable head-up display.

A Bose ® premium audio system with Active Noise Cancelation technology is standard on all models and includes electronic sound enhancement on models equipped with the available premium surround sound audio system. Exclusive to ATS Coupe and differing from other manufacturers’ systems that pipe recorded engine sounds through the audio system; Cadillac’s system enhances only the car’s authentic powertrain sounds to enhance the performance experience.

The 12-speaker surround sound upgrade is available on Standard and Luxury, and it is included with Performance and Premium collections. It includes Bose Audio Pilot, which continuously monitors ambient sounds and adjusts the music volume and program content to make the most of the listening experience.

Additionally, a navigation system is available on Luxury and Performance collections, and it is standard with the Premium Collection.

Enhanced Cadillac CUE leads technologies

Cadillac CUE is the centerpiece of the ATS Coupe’s comprehensive collection of technologies designed to enhance the driving experience and complement customers’ increasingly connected lifestyles. It is available on base models and standard on Luxury, Performance and Premium collections, with enhanced connectivity and convenience for 2015, including a new Text-to-Voice feature for smartphone users with Bluetooth profile (M.A.P.) and Sire Eyes Free for iPhone iOS 6 and iOS 7 users to enhance connectivity and convenience. Each enables voice-controlled connectivity – and helps keep the driver’s hands on the wheel.

The heart of CUE is the eight-inch LCD multi-touch sensitive screen, integrated into the top of the central instrument panel and featuring a motorized, fully capacitive faceplate at the bottom concealing a 1.8L storage area. CUE’s vibrant liquid crystal display, or LCD, screen resembles a smartphone screen with large, easy-to-target icons to execute commands.

Complementing CUE is OnStar 4G LTE connectivity, featuring a new built-in Wi-Fi hotspot that can connect up to seven devices at once. The new 4G LTE connection can also be used to power CUE Collection, a new in-car app marketplace coming to Cadillac vehicles this year.

Additional technologies that make life with the ATS Coupe more convenient include the capability to remotely start the engine or lower the windows with the key fob or the owner’s smartphone. EZ Key passive entry and push-button starting is standard, too, so the key never needs to leave the driver’s pocket or purse.

Power-dense powertrains

The engine lineup includes a standard 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder and available 3.6L V-6. The award-winning 2.0L Turbo is rated at 272 horsepower (203 kW) and 295 lb-ft of torque (400 Nm). The award-winning 3.6L V-6 is rated at 321 horsepower (239 kW) and 275 lb-ft of torque (373 Nm).

At 136hp/L, the 2.0L Turbo is one of the most power-dense engines in the industry, topping engines from European competitors. It also delivers 90 percent of its peak torque from 2100 rpm to 5400 rpm and the full 295 lb-ft of peak torque (400 Nm) from 3000 to 4600 rpm. The broad torque band is supported by boost levels as high as 18 psi (1.26 bar) in the speed range, which is designed to give the lightweight ATS Coupe an exhilarating feeling of immediate power on demand.

Both engines feature direct injection and dual overhead camshafts with continuously variable valve timing, which help optimize power and efficiency, as well as reduce emissions. And each is matched with the Hydra-Matic 6L45 six-speed automatic transmission with tap-shift control. A six-speed manual is also available with the 2.0L Turbo.

Advanced safety features

ATS Coupe delivers the same safety technologies found in the ATS Sedan. Additionally, Cadillac provides available advanced safety based on Cadillac’s “control and alert” strategy, which employs up to two cameras, eight ultrasonic sensors and six radar signals to help prevent crashes.

The safety features bolster driver vision and awareness of road hazards, and can even help the driver avert potential crashes. In certain situations, Cadillac’s advanced crash-avoidance systems, such as automatic braking, can pre-fill and automatically apply braking in response to potential hazards.

Among the most sophisticated of the features is Front and Rear Automatic Braking. It relies on radar, camera and ultrasonic technology to help the driver prevent front and rear low-speed collisions via a progression of alerts that extend to complete braking, if necessary.

Many of the advanced safety features are bundled in the Driver Awareness and Driver Assist Packages. The Driver Awareness package is available on Luxury and included in Performance and Premium Collections. It includes:

• Safety Alert Seat
• Forward Collision Alert
• Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist – new to Cadillac for 2015
• Intellibeam ® high-beam control
• Front and rear park assist
• Rear-vision camera with dynamic guidelines.

The Driver Assist package is available on Performance and Premium collections and includes all of the Driver Awareness package content, plus:

• Full-Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control
• Automatic Collision Preparation
• Motorized safety belts
• Electronic Park Brake
• Front and Rear Automatic Braking
• Enhanced Side Blind Zone Alert – new to Cadillac for 2015
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Full-color head-up display.

The advanced technologies complement other ATS safety features, including eight standard air bags, safety belt pretensioners and load limiters, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with full-function traction control and four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel ABS, patented rotor coating protection and auto-dry functionality.

GM Motors to near 10 million sales for 2013, with the help of China and Europe.

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) dealers delivered 9,714,652 vehicles around the world in the 2013, up 4 percent compared with 2012. Among GM’s top five global markets by volume, China and the United Kingdom posted the largest year-over-year sales increases on a percentage basis, with each up 11 percent. GM’s China sales set a new full-year record. Sales in the United States increased 7 percent.

“A healthy auto market in the United States and China, and very successful product launches at all of our brands worldwide drove GM’s growth in 2013 and helped us navigate difficult conditions in Europe and parts of South America and Asia,” said Dan Ammann, GM executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Ammann, who has been named president of General Motors, will discuss the company’s outlook and strategy at the 2014 Global Auto Industry Conference hosted by Deutsche Bank on Wednesday, January 15, in Detroit. GM’s presentation will begin at approximately 7:30 a.m. EST followed by a Q&A session.

A live webcast of the presentation will be available here. Presentation materials will be posted in the Investor section of gm.com shortly before the webcast.

Going forward, GM plans to announce its global sales on a quarterly basis using this new template as part of the company’s effort to provide insightful and easily accessible information about its global growth strategy.

Highlights (vs. 2012)

• Chevrolet sold a record 4,984,126 vehicles in 2013, an increase of 19,304 from the previous record set in 2012. Key product launches included the Silverado, named the 2014 North American Truck of the Year, and the Corvette Stingray, named the 2014 North American Car of the Year.   
• Cadillac’s global sales were up 28 percent. The brand ended 2013 as the fastest-growing full-line luxury brand in the United States, with sales up 22 percent following the introductions of the all-new XTS and ATS. In China, Cadillac’s sales grew 67 percent to a record 50,005 vehicles. Cadillac broke ground on a new assembly plant in China last year and plans to add one new model per year in the country through 2016.
• Buick’s global sales were up 15 percent as it introduced redesigns of the LaCrosse and Regal in all of its major markets and added new models in North America, including the Encore crossover. Dealers delivered 1,032,331 vehicles for the best year in the brand’s 110-year history. The previous record of 1,003,345 vehicles sold was set in 1984, before the brand entered the China market.
• Opel/Vauxhall sold more than 1 million vehicles globally and delivered a slight increase in European market share to the mid-5 percent range, its first in 14 years, following the successful launches of the Mokka and ADAM.

USA - December 2013 Sales: Automakers Shatter Records

The end of the year usually brings strong sales figures, and while a good number of automakers saw negative sales numbers for the month, they still managed to break yearly sales records. Some automakers even managed to set new sales records, like Audi who had its best U.S. sales year to date.Looking at the month of December, Honda had its best December sales, while Volkswagen managed to have its second best December since 1972. Other automakers boasted strong months, including Mitsubishi that had its best December in seven years.

We can't look at the month of December and not take a peek at overall sales records. Ford claimed its best year of sales since 2006, Kia had its second best full year of sales in the U.S., and Mazda managed to have its best year of retail-only sales since 1994.Even the luxury automakers outdid themselves. Mercedes-Benz achieved its highest year of sales in the U.S. with 312,534 units sold in 2013. BMW managed to break its U.S. all-time sales record, while both the BMW and Mini brands set new sales records.Take a look at the chart below to see how each automaker finished out 2013.

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USA - 2.8 million sold in the US for General Motors Co.

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) dealers delivered 2.8 million vehicles in the United States in 2013. Retail sales increased 11 percent and total sales were up 7 percent compared with 2012.

Dealers delivered 230,157 vehicles in December, down 6 percent versus a year ago. Retail sales were down 6 percent and fleet sales were down 9 percent.

“2013 was the year that GM and the auto industry put the last traces of the recession in the rearview mirror, so now we can devote our full attention to the things that matter most to customers: compelling design, world-class quality and delivering the best ownership experience in the business,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president, U.S. sales operations. “GM has laid a strong foundation to pursue all of these goals. We have announced more than $10 billion in capital investments in the United States since 2009 and plowed billions more into R&D to refresh our product portfolio at twice the rate of the last few years.”

Major upcoming launches include all-new large SUVs for Cadillac, GMC and Chevrolet, the award-winning Cadillac ELR and all-new heavy-duty and mid-size pickups for Chevrolet and GMC.

In addition, GM will begin the industry’s largest deployment of high-speed mobile broadband later this year. Additional details will be released at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week.

2013 Highlights (versus 2012)

• GM became the first American auto company in history to top the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, with eight individual model awards, including five for Chevrolet.
• Chevrolet redesigned iconic products, including the Silverado 1500, Corvette and Impala, all of which won numerous awards for product excellence.
• Cadillac finished the year as the industry’s fastest-growing full-line luxury brand.
• Buick had its best sales year since 2006 as the brand expanded into new segments with the Verano sedan and the Encore small crossover.
• The all-new Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 helped the company increase its full-size pickup sales by 14 percent. 
• GMC sales were the strongest since 2007, and the Sierra now has the highest average transaction prices of any full-size pickup truck line in the industry, according to J.D. Power PIN estimates.
• Overall, GM’s share of the $40,000 and up light-duty pickup segment, which is about one-third of the market, has increased 7 percentage points to 36 percent.
• Combined sales of GM’s mini, small and compact cars increased by 10 percent, bolstered by best-ever sales of the Chevrolet Sonic and Cruze, and a remarkable year for the new Chevrolet Spark, which saw more than 34,000 deliveries. 
• Crossover deliveries were strong all year long, increasing by 14 percent. New products like the Buick Encore drove the growth along with stalwarts like the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, which had their best sales years ever.  The GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave also had their best years ever.

December Sales Highlights (vs. 2012)

• Sales in the fourth quarter increased 6 percent and December’s volume was the highest since August. 
• The Chevrolet Corvette had its best December sales since 2006.
• The redesigned Chevrolet Malibu and the all-new Impala were up 33 percent and 10 percent, respectively.
• Crossover and SUV sales were strong, with the Chevrolet Traverse and Tahoe, and the GMC Acadia and Yukon XL all posting higher sales. The Acadia was up 53 percent, for its best-ever December.
• Small business customers took delivery of 26,231 vehicles in December up 20 percent. For the year, small business deliveries were up 35 percent. 

“December started a little slow but sales were stronger later in the month, especially in the week between Christmas and New Year’s,” McNeil said.  “We didn’t make any big changes to our ‘go-to-market’ strategy during the month, which is to offer competitive incentives and market aggressively, and we are carrying good momentum heading into January.”

USA - Sales for November by brand and with best seller.

Another month has come and gone, and automakers have announced November sales figures. Just like last month, all but six automakers managed to have positive numbers. The majority of automakers show double digit percentage increases over the same month last year, showing the industry as a whole is continuing to grow.

This month’s sales leader was once again Jaguar, with an increase of 103 percent. Not as high as last month, but the automaker continues to outpace the rest of the industry. High sales of the new XF have boosted Jaguar to the top, and with new models coming out in the months ahead, we can expect the numbers to continue to climb.

Volkswagen continues to struggle with sales, and although the numbers weren’t as low as last month, it seems like the automaker needs to do something to get back in the positive. Volvo has also struggled this month, showing a decrease of over 30 percent when compared to November 2012. Hopefully with the holidays coming, sales will increase for the automakers.

Check out the numbers below to see what automakers managed to stay on top.

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USA - Sales by brand and best seller for October

October sales numbers are out, and the vast majority of automakers have shown positive numbers, with only six falling behind. This month brought a twist with it as Maserati posted sales, something the luxury automaker hasn’t done for quite some time. And for good reason. Sales for the company are up 186 percent, and sales have nearly tripled since the same month last year.

Jaguar Land Rover continues to break records and report extremely high sales numbers, and this month is no different. Separately, Jaguar and Land Rover managed sales increases of 117 percent and 37 percent, respectively, mainly due to strong XF and Range Rover sales.

Lincoln has seemingly turned around its poor sales numbers this month and boasts an almost 40 percent increase over the same month last year. But looking back at September, nearly every automaker was down for the count. We hope to see the automaker continue to climb its way back up.

We don’t want to give everything away, so take a look at the chart below to see which automakers came out on top.

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USA - General Motors posts increased sales in all brands.

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) dealers delivered 226,402 vehicles in the United States in October, up 16 percent versus a year ago. Retail sales were also up 16 percent and fleet sales were up 14 percent.

“Chevrolet, Cadillac and Buick-GMC all performed well in the month, and the sales tempo really picked up after the government shutdown ended,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president, U.S. sales operations. “We are particularly pleased with our truck momentum. Chevrolet and GMC have the newest and best light duty trucks, sales are accelerating and we are gearing up for the second, third and fourth phases of our strategic truck plan.”

This month, the premium Chevrolet Silverado High Country and GMC Sierra Denali will hit showrooms, followed by a redesigned range of heavy-duty pickups in the first quarter of 2014. All-new Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac full-size SUVs also arrive in the first quarter, and later in the year, GM will introduce clean-sheet redesigns of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size pickups.

October Sales Highlights (vs. 2012)

• Buick total sales increased 31 percent and retail sales were up 25 percent for the 18 th consecutive month of year-over-year growth. Regal sales increased 47 percent.
• Cadillac’s sales increased 10 percent and have grown in each of the last 13 months thanks to the all-new XTS and ATS. In addition, the SRX is on track for its best year ever. Retail sales were up 12 percent for the brand and more than 60 percent of buyers did not trade in a Cadillac.
• GMC was up 16 percent. The Terrain had its best October sales ever.
• Chevrolet was up 15 percent. Thirteen nameplates posted double-digit increases, including every SUV and crossover nameplate.
• Retail sales of Chevrolet passenger cars were up 32 percent. Cruze had its best-ever October retail sales. Impala retail deliveries nearly doubled and Malibu retail sales increased 58 percent.
• Deliveries of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra were up 10 percent and 13 percent, respectively.

Sales of the new 2014 light duty Silverado and Sierra increased 62 percent from September 2013. They accounted for about 76 percent of GM’s light duty deliveries, per plan.

Strong calendar-year-to-date sales have helped Chevrolet and GMC earn a 30 percent share of light-duty pickups priced $40,000 or above. That is up 5 percentage points versus 2012.

One Million cadillacs from one plant in 12 years, not bad going

The millionth Cadillac built at the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant rolled off the line today. Fittingly, the milestone vehicle is an early model of the redesigned 2014 CTS sedan, which goes on sale in October.

Lansing Grand River, or LGR as it is known, has been a dedicated rear wheel-drive assembly plant since it opened in late 2001. Every CTS ever made has been built there.

In addition to the CTS, the plant also assembles the award-winning ATS sport sedan, the CTS Coupe and Wagon, and the CTS-V high performance models. Cadillacs from Lansing are exported from Michigan to 11 destinations worldwide.

“One million Michigan-made Cadillacs is a great milestone for Lansing and for luxury car-building in America,” said Bob Ferguson, senior vice president Global Cadillac. “Lansing Grand River is an essential ingredient of Cadillac’s growth. It is a benchmark for luxury car manufacturing in North America, which takes another step forward today with the launch of the new CTS.”

The celebrated 2014 CTS sedan is painted in Red Obsession Tintcoat. The 2014 CTS is elevated and expanded, with more luxury, performance and technical sophistication. The third generation luxury sedan is larger and more spacious, but lighter because of advanced design and materials. The low mass approach is expected to enable CTS to deliver the most agile and engaging driving performance in the midsize luxury class.

A total of 1,541 employees are divided among two shifts at Lansing Grand River, a 2.5 million square foot facility on 111 acres.

General Motors has invested extensively in LGR in the past three years -- $190 million for the production of the Cadillac ATS and $88 million for the new CTS.

Since its completion 12 years ago, Lansing Grand River has produced more Cadillacs than any other plant. The Escalade sport utility vehicle is produced at the Arlington Assembly in Arlington, Texas. The ELR luxury coupe begins production later this year at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck facility in Hamtramck, Mich.