Lincoln, Cadillac woo buyers with extras

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Auto dealers vie to distinguish their brands in a soft market
Robert Snell / The Detroit News

General Motors and Ford have dropped their fur-lined gloves and are engaging in one-upmanship to distinguish their luxury brands in a competitive segment of the market.

Ford Motor Co.'s Lincoln and General Motors Co.'s Cadillac are dangling free maintenance deals, a perk long offered by rival import BMW, but dropped by luxury automakers Lexus, Audi and Mercedes-Benz in recent years amid high costs.

The goal is not to boost sales during the short term in a soft luxury market, but to distinguish the premium domestic brands from their foreign rivals, raise brand awareness for Lincoln and Cadillac, and cultivate long-term repeat customers.

Their efforts come as the luxury car market has posted single-digit percentage gains and luxury sport utility sales have increased 30.7 percent in the first half of the year, despite a weak economy. Other vehicle segments, such as pickups and sport utility/crossovers, have notched double-digit increases this year, while the overall market has climbed 16.7 percent.

The domestic brand incentives sparked mixed reactions from dealers and industry analysts, who said free maintenance perks could help them compete with foreign rivals, but likely won't boost sales in the short term.

"It's a customer comfort sort of thing and a little bit of exclusivity," said auto analyst Joe Phillippi of AutoTrends Consulting in Short Hills, N.J. "You're not going to get this at a Chevy or Ford dealership. Someone's not going to buy a Cadillac or Lincoln because they think the free maintenance deal is better than the other guy's. But it's going to make them happy while owning the car."

While Cadillac and Lincoln lag Lexus, BMW and Mercedes in sales, the domestic brands were up 33.3 percent and 7.5 percent, respectively, through June, compared with the 9.4 percent increase in the overall luxury segment.

Dealers encouraged
Some dealers are encouraged and hope the perks trigger an increase in showroom traffic at a time when retail sales remain sluggish amid a weaker-than-expected recovery in the auto industry.

"It will make it a little easier to get customers in the door," said Justin Osen, a salesman at Don Gooley Cadillac in St. Clair Shores.

Last month, Lincoln unveiled a deal offering free scheduled maintenance for three years or 45,000 miles for those who buy or lease a new 2010 or 2011 Lincoln. Cadillac followed three days later, upping the deal to four years or 50,000 miles on 2011 models.

The Lincoln program, which expires Sept. 7, covers oil changes, tire rotations, routine inspections, engine belts, hoses and replacement of wiper blades and brake linings. The Cadillac offer will be standard on 2011 models.

Chrysler Group LLC doesn't have any luxury brands and declined to comment whether it has any similar perks for its lineup.

The Cadillac and Lincoln offers aren't the right tool to lure buyers or close sales, said Lincoln dealer Tammy Darvish, vice president of DARCARS Automotive Group in Silver Spring, Md.

"I don't think it will really have a lot of impact," she said. "People don't come in and buy a car because of free maintenance."

But the offer could convince a customer to stay loyal to a particular dealership and help the dealer build a relationship with the customer, Darvish said.

"I prefer to go into a relationship with longevity at the heart of it," she said. "Not just a quick 'come in and get a free oil change,' and we'll never see you again."

The timing of the offers coincides with automakers clearing out 2010 models and introducing new models. For Cadillac, the first vehicle eligible under the deal is the CTS Coupe, which reaches showrooms later this summer.

"It's a good time to offer these types of deals. They're being competitive at a time when people are luxury shopping," said Jessica Caldwell, a senior analyst at Edmunds.com.

"They need to prove themselves and offer a competitive product before they can compete with BMW or Mercedes," she added. "Right now, it's crucial for them to step up their game and break into the luxury market strongly."

Caldwell is encouraged that the luxury segment hasn't tanked along with the economy. Sales should improve later this summer and early fall as 2010 models are liquidated and 2011 models introduced, she said.

A mixed reception
The offers' varying lengths and coverage met with mixed reception among some analysts, however, who say Cadillac, in particular, didn't go far enough.

James Bell, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book, faulted Cadillac for failing to cover wear-and-tear items such as windshield wipers and brakes.

Cadillac's deal covers scheduled oil changes, tire rotations, engine and cabin air filters, and a multipoint vehicle inspection.

The offers should generate additional warranty and service profits for dealerships coping with sluggish retail sales, Bell said.

In addition, they should help ensure that owners take better care of leased and low-mileage vehicles, which ultimately will be resold by those same dealers, he said.

"Our bet says these programs become standard offerings from both U.S. manufacturers in the next year," Bell said.

The offers are not particularly novel -- many European brands have offered such perks for years -- but they do signal bids by Ford and GM to more aggressively pursue luxury segment leaders Mercedes and Lexus.

"The program is designed to raise satisfaction for owners by ensuring access to expert service," said Kurt McNeil, vice president of Cadillac sales and service. "It should lead to higher loyalty rates for dealers by establishing them as a valued resource for our customers."

The efforts also could increase margins for sales staff and ease the stress of buyers seeking freebies.

Each time Osen sells a Cadillac SRX, for example, his cut is $280 before taxes. But that amount shrinks after taxes and the $80 oil change that he routinely offers free to his customers.

The incentive also could help ensure leased vehicles are returned in better condition and easier to sell, Osen said.

"If the car gets fixed for free, what do they care?" Osen said. "I can't tell you how many lease turn-ins have the light on saying it needs an oil change."

Come check out all of the new Cadillacs at Bradshaw Cadillac in Greer SC. Shop 24/7 at www.BradshawGreer.com

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New Cadillac sedan is proof of hard lessons GM’s learned

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The new CTS is efficient, striking and powerful.

Cadillac is a name full of history. It was the pride and joy of General Motors before years of mismanagement and lost sales turned what was once the world’s largest carmaker on its head. It was merely the final insult when so many cars bearing this quintessential American luxury “bigger-is-better” name were junked under the U.S. government’s cash-for-clunkers program.

The shock of the last few years obviously signaled the need for a new direction and philosophy at Cadillac, something other that just big luxury battleships, something efficient. The 2010 Cadillac CTS 3.0 that I tested recently provided a glimpse of that ongoing transformation.

When it was released in November last year, the 2010 Cadillac CTS 3.0 boasted the second-highest fuel efficiency among cars in its class being sold in Korea. It got 9.4 kilometers per liter (22 miles per gallon), second only to the Lexus ES350’s 9.8 kilometers per liter.

The Cadillac’s signature design, reminiscent of a spaceship or stealth fighter, is still the same in the CTS 3.0. Its straight lines conjure up a state-of-the-art image. The wide chrome grille between four rectangular headlamps adds to the dynamism of the vehicle. The number of imported cars is ever-increasing here, but during my test drive, the exotic look of the Cadillac CTS 3.0 still drew the attention of many pedestrians and other drivers.
 
Indeed, the luxurious air of the vehicle earned it a spot on several soap operas, almost always populated by fantastically wealthy characters. For example, Koo Jun-pyo, one of the four rich handsome boys in “Boys Over Flowers,” a KBS soap opera, drove the car.

And actually, the price tag is reasonable, compared to other luxury imports.

The 2010 CTS 3.0 Luxury, the cheaper model, goes for 47.8 million won ($38,400), compared to the Lexus ES 350’s 60 million won range. The 40 million won bracket is home instead to the BMW Mini Cooper JCW or Volkswagen Golf or Passat. The 2010 CTS 3.0 Performance, on the other hand, is priced at 56.6 million won.

The car promises 275 horsepower, the strongest among automobiles with engines between 3,000 and 4,000 cubic centimeters.  To test drive a CTS call or click www.BradshawGreer.com  In Greer SC.  We have the complete line 2010 Cadillac  in stock.  We can also help you with GMC Chevrolet and Buick.  864-879-7111.
By Moon Gwang-lip

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BradshawGreerTV — April 28, 2010 — 0% Financing on Chevy and GMC Trucks at Bradshaw Chevy Buick GMC Cadillac in Greer SC. Visit us 24/7 at www.BradshawGreer.com. You can also see the best selection of used vehicles in the upstate. All of our inventory is also posted on www.autotrader.com, and www.cars.com. You can also see our Blogger page.

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• Chevy Camaro, Equinox and Hyundai Sonata top AutoTrader research in March (autoblog.com)

Chevrolet Volt nearer to reality

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General Motors has a lot of expectations riding on its upcoming Chevrolet Volt. GM execs have predicted the electrically driven sedan will vault them four years ahead of the competition in the high-tech vehicle race.

Now, the validation of the production process for the Volt has passed a major milestone.

On March 31, the first pre-production Volt rolled off the line at the Detroit Hamtramck assembly plant. Several pre-production Volts will be built to validate and fine-tune the production process. These pre-production versions of the Volt will not be sold at dealerships, but will be used to assure all steps in the production system will meet the quality targets set by the Volt engineering team.

Assembly workers will build more pre-production Volts in the coming months, before production begins in preparation for a late-year vehicle introduction. These vehicles will be examined by manufacturing engineers as the plant prepares to kick up full production of the innovative vehicle.

"We have a very experienced workforce at this plant, and through all of their preparation and training, workers here have been given the privilege to take GM into the future with this car," said Detroit-Hamtramck plant manager Teri Quigley.

The Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range delivers up to 40 miles of pure electric driving before an engine-generator kicks in to sustain the battery charge and extends the range to about 300 additional miles.

Copyright (c) 2010 Studio One Networks. All rights reserved.

GM March sales up 21 pct as incentives draw buyers

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By TOM KRISHER (AP)

DETROIT — Sales of General Motors Co. cars and trucks rose 21 percent last month compared with a dismal March last year, a sign that U.S. auto sales are benefiting from an incentive war touched off by Toyota.

GM said Thursday sales of its four core brands — Buick, GMC, Chevrolet and Cadillac — rose 43 percent on strong demand for redesigned vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox midsize crossover and Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan.

Meanwhile, Hyundai's sales rose 15 percent to 47,000 vehicles, propelled by sharply higher demand for its newly released Sonata sedan and its Tucson small SUV.

It's likely that higher incentives from GM and other automakers drove traffic to showrooms. Toyota Motor Corp. raised its rebates and low-interest financing deals last month to counter publicity about safety-related recalls, and other automakers were forced to respond.

GM says it sold 188,546 vehicles last month, up from the 156,380 it sold in March of 2009 as it was receiving government aid and heading into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The company, which is shedding Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Hummer, sold just over 27,000 vehicles from those brands in March of last year, but that dropped to about 3,100 last month because few cars and trucks remain on dealer lots.

Last month Toyota boosted interest-free financing, low-priced leasing and free maintenance in an effort to bring customers into showrooms as it dealt with the recall of more than 8 million cars and trucks around the world.

Toyota has been forced to recall cars and trucks mainly due to reports of unintended acceleration. The company is fixing gas pedals and floor mats in many of its top sellers including the Camry midsize sedan, a top-selling car in the U.S.

A top Toyota executive said on Wednesday that the automaker's sales would rise 40 percent in March and that some of those deals would extend into the spring. The company's sales fell 9 percent in February, before it launched its aggressive incentives. The broader industry's sales climbed 13 percent that month.

The automaker is to update its incentives on Monday.

Toyota's March surge likely outpaced the U.S. industry. Sales of new vehicles as a whole climbed 23 percent in March, according to market research firm J.D. Power and Associates.

Although auto sales have been steadily recovering, automakers have been raising their spending on incentives due to the shaky economy. Automakers are spending less on incentives now than they did a year ago, according to data from the auto Web site Edmunds.com.

Sales tanked in March of last year as the economy slowed, layoffs rose and GM and Chrysler headed into bankruptcy protection. Last March was among the worst auto sales months in decades.

AP Auto Writers Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit and Dan Strumpf in New York contributed to this report.

Chevrolet factory turns out its 1st Volt

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General Motors is to finish building the first Chevrolet Volt battery car using production tooling today, at the Hamtramck, Mich., factory that will begin regular production of the radical electric car in November.

The pre-production Volt will be kept for GM testing. Such practice runs are tense for automakers. They show whether the tooling is designed correctly, the factory laid out properly, the workers trained sufficiently. The interim before regular production this fall gives GM time to make changes, though major hiccups weren't reported.

"Never seen a first, pre-production build go as smoothly as this one," said Andrew Farah, Volt chief engineer.

Although the first factory-built Volt is to roll off the line today, it began down the line Monday, showing how painstaking such dry runs can be.

Volt's moment nearly coincides with rival Nissan announcing pricing Tuesday for its Leaf compact battery sedan. It was lower than expected -- $33,600 before federal tax credit, $26,100 after the buyer gets the federal $7,500 credit on that year's tax bill.

And it appears to undercut numbers that have floated out from GM. If those have been real, rather than stalking horses, Volt could be about $40,000 before the $7,500 credit.

GM continued to say nothing specific about the price. Volt marketing manager John Hughes did tell Drive On, however: "It takes all kinds of EVs (electric vehicles) at different price points to meet the needs of consumers, just as there are all different types of SUVs at different prices."

He deflected comparisons between Volt and Leaf, whether for price or features: "Both are electric drive all the time and both provide the electric-drive experience. But Volt will propel the vehicle another 300 miles" after the batteries' 40-mile range.

Volt carries a gasoline engine that kicks in to drive a generator that keeps the electric motor humming when the batteries are juiced-out. Leaf, on the other hand, is battery-only. Nissan says it'll go 100 miles on a charge before the driver has to plug in and recharge the car.

Automakers say that government data show roughly three-fourths of Americans drive 40 miles or less per day.

-- James R. Healey/Drive On

Bradshaw Chevrolet Goes To Bat for Northwood Little League

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Bradshaw Chevrolet to provide Northwood Little League with new equipment, monetary donation, instructional clinics; Additional funds via Chevy Vehicle Giveaway

Greer (March 26, 2010) – Bradshaw Chevrolet announced today it will be investing support in Greer through a partnership with Northwood Little League. Bradshaw Chevrolet will provide baseball equipment, instructional clinics, a monetary donation, and an opportunity to raise an additional $10,000 in funds through a Chevy vehicle giveaway-fundraiser. The effort by Bradshaw Chevrolet is part of the Chevy Youth Baseball initiative sweeping the nation from March through July 2010.

“Chevrolet has a long history with baseball at the national level. We wanted to bring that excitement and commitment to youth baseball, in the communities where our customers and their families live,” said William Bradshaw, of Bradshaw Chevrolet. “Youth baseball has always played an important role in Greer so we are thrilled to support our kids in a meaningful way.”

Bradshaw Chevrolet will present the Northwood Little League with equipment kits complete with equipment bags, baseball buckets, dry-erase coach’s clipboards and Chevy Youth Baseball t-shirts. The sponsorship includes clinics with experienced instructors from former MLB/MiLB players and coaches or the Ripken Baseball professional staff.

In addition, a one-time monetary donation check will be presented by Bradshaw Chevrolet to Northwood Little League. The team also will have an opportunity to raise additional funds for their use as part of a Chevy Youth Baseball Fundraiser. Sponsored leagues across the country will each receive 2,000 fundraiser entry tickets to distribute for a suggested donation, and the league will keep 100% of proceeds raised. At the end of the fundraiser, there will be five winners of a Chevy Equinox or Chevy Malibu vehicle of choice (up to $30,000 in value), and in each participating market there will be a secondary prize of a home entertainment center valued at $1,000.

Chevrolet is recognized on the national level as the “Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball.” “At some point, we hope the kids or their parents will consider a Chevrolet as an official vehicle of their household,” said Bradshaw. “Our vehicles are ideal for transporting families, teams and their gear.”

Chevrolet has expanded its support of MLB to the youth baseball players in communities across the country through the Chevy Youth Baseball program. The Chevy Youth Baseball program began in Atlanta in 2006. Now in its fifth season, the grass roots initiative has activation in more than 20 states and seeks to establish a positive connection between local dealers and the communities they serve. Since its beginning, more than $7 million dollars has been raised by Chevy for community youth baseball leagues.

For more information about Chevy Youth Baseball, please visit www.YouthSportsWired.com

Motor Trend Declares 'Buick is Back!'

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Buick graces the cover of the premier automotive magazine for the first time in 28 years
General Motors

DETROIT, March 8 -- /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in 28 years, Buick dominates the cover of Motor Trend magazine, along with a headline declaring "Buick is Back!" The April issue of the premier automotive publication features photos of the Buick LaCrosse, Regal Turbo and Regal GS Concept and touts the growing momentum behind Buick.

The April 2010 edition of the magazine includes two Buick features; a drive review of the new 2011 Regal called "International Rescue" and "Trading Places," a comparison of the 2010 LaCrosse and the 2010 Lexus ES350, in which LaCrosse emerges the winner. The Century T-Type was the last Buick to grace cover of Motor Trend in August of 1982. The April issue of Motor Trend is now available on newsstands.

"We are thrilled to be honored with the placement of Buick models on the cover of Motor Trend," said John Schwegman, U.S. marketing vice president, Buick GMC. "The declaration that 'Buick is Back' attests to the transformation of the Buick brand and the buzz building for the LaCrosse and Regal. It shows that we are introducing cars that merit the attention of auto enthusiasts, including the editors of Motor Trend."

In his review of the 2011 Regal, Motor Trend Editor-in-Chief Angus Mackenzie says the Regal "is the first Buick in history with internationally chic sheetmetal and sophisticated road manners to match," and that it "is truly likely to appeal to young, affluent, trend-setting import buyers."

Available in dealerships this spring, the Regal is the next chapter in Buick's transformation. The vehicle features a dynamic driving experience with a standard 2.4L Ecotec direct injected engine rated at an estimated 182 horsepower (136 kW). Also available later this year is the 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged and direct injected engine rated at an estimated 220 horsepower (164 kW). Customers will also experience many advanced personal technologies, making it a premium sport sedan without the premium price. Pricing for the Regal starts at $26,995.

The LaCrosse, a luxury sedan completely redesigned for 2010, continues to attract buyers to Buick and the 2010 model is selling three times faster than its predecessor. The car has been praised for its exterior styling and luxurious interior and features a suite of advanced personal technologies and safety features that rate among the best in the industry. In addition to two fuel-saving V-6 engines, a new fuel-efficient, direct inject Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine will be available with the LaCrosse CX model this spring. LaCrosse will be the only sedan in its segment with an available four cylinder engine.

About Buick

Buick is in the midst of a transformation that started with the Enclave luxury crossover and continues with the completely redesigned LaCrosse luxury sedan and Regal sport sedan. Buick is emerging as a modern, premium brand with vehicles characterized by sculpted designs, personal technologies, luxurious interiors and responsive performance. Future new sedans and crossovers are planned and will continue to expand Buick's portfolio both in North America and China. More information can be found at www.buick.com. To see the best Buick's in the Upstate visit www.BradhsawGreer.com

SOURCE General Motors

Cadillac and Aston Martin honoured

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Awards for the favourite car designs as voted for by car designers from around the world went to the Aston Martin Rapide and the Cadillac Converi.

The creators of the Aston Martin Rapide were presented with the prestigious Best Production award at the Geneva Motor Show, while the producers of the Cadillac Converi scooped the honours in the Best Concept category.

The readers of Car Design News voted for the eventual winners after senior editors at the publication compiled the shortlists of the best designs from last year.

Accepting the award for the Rapide sedan, Aston Martin design director Marek Reichman thanked the designers who voted for the vehicle "on behalf of a team that is very passionate about the brand".

The Cadillac Converj concept was by GM's Advanced Design Studio in Europe under then design director Simon Cox. Accepting the award, Malcolm Ward, exterior chief designer for mid-size cars at GM Europe, emphasised the global nature of the design teams by being "very proud to receive this on behalf of the team and I know the team in Detroit are also very proud to receive it".

The Converj concept introduced a cab-forward stance and softened Cadillac's now iconic angular design aesthetic, while the interior featured environmentally sustainable and renewable materials.

Copyright © Press Association 2010

Review: Cadillac CTS sport wagon is just so darn likable

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By James R. Healey, USA TODAY

DETROIT — Henry Ford II is quoted on why he fired Ford Motor President Lee Iacocca in 1978 as: "Sometimes you just don't like somebody."
Well, it works the other way, too, and not just on people. Sometimes you just like a car.

PHOTOS/AUDIO: Cadillac CTS sport wagon with Healey's comments
CHAT TRANSCRIPT: James R. Healey answers your questions

In that case, its limitations — all cars have them — fade because the car looks good, feels right, goes with élan. So it is with the Cadillac CTS sport wagon. It's new to the CTS line for 2010. It is nearly identical to the CTS sedan mechanically. The body panels from the rear door forward are the same. The big visual difference is the sport wagon's raised roof and its rear end.
Short take: It sliced through 520 stormy highway miles from here to Virginia after the auto show without discomfort, hassle or even the driver's normal geez-aren't-we-there-yet squirming.

Once home, it made every suburban, cold-weather, short-hop, kid-schlepping, job-going task seem like a special occasion.

Among the goodies:
•Drivetrain. The 3.6-liter V-6 used in a number of General Motors vehicles was a lusty runner, and sounded throaty and primal when spurred. The six-speed automatic transmission shifted correctly, save for a skosh too much delay on hard-throttle downshifts. GM six-speed automatics in other vehicles tested lately have ranged from mediocre to disastrous. GM changed shift programming to get a much better feel, says Tom Stephens, the automaker's vice chairman in charge of products worldwide. The previous tuning resisted downshifts to save a bit of fuel but caused the discerning driver anguish.

•Styling. Fat rear roof pillars. Low, unbroken roofline. Tall taillights that emulate tailfins of yore. Crisp fender, hood creases. Sport wagon makes the CTS sedan seem a bit dowdy.

•Distinctiveness. Caddy's selling just a few hundred sport wagons a month. You won't see yourself coming and going.

•Interior. Clever cargo area allows multiple configurations and hold-down points. Elegant dashboard and associated trim. Intuitive switches and knobs. The middle rear safety belt's mounted to the seat, not hung from the ceiling where it can make folding the back seat awkward.
Unfortunately, Caddy continues GM's omission of a safety head restraint for the middle rear rider. Instruments are excellent — real analog gauges. In addition to the big speedometer and tachometer, you get a trio of useful gauges that show Cadillac still thinks you care: oil pressure, coolant temperature and, of course, fuel level. What's more, you can dig into the digital info readout to get actual pressure in each tire, not a generic "something might be amiss somewhere" tire warning light. Heck, you'd almost think Caddy people like cars and their drivers.

•Comfort. Before we get gushy, these caveats: It's small, despite its visual heft. Narrow inside. If you like to cruise splay-legged, you'll abrade your outboard leg on the door handle and accidentally activate optional seat-temperature controls with your inboard knee. The back seat will suffice, mostly, but won't have riders raving about the room. But front seats had an almost magical quality. Lumpy and hard (not merely firm) at first. But 520 miles and nine almost-uninterrupted hours later, the rump and back, legs and neck felt just fine. In daily dash-about duty, the seats continued to feel wrong for a minute, right for hours.

•Feel. The unusually sweet blend of power, stopping, steering and cornering (though with a bit more body lean than expected) was a delight. Those aforementioned limitations?

•Marginal ground clearance. Even if you choose the all-wheel drive (AWD) option, you'll still worry that the low-slung wagon (5.9 inches of ground clearance, vs. about 8 inches in a crossover SUV) could get stuck by becoming high-centered on built-up snow or in deeper-than-expected mud. Caddy says it's not supposed to be an SUV substitute and has the same clearance as a CTS sedan.

2010 CADILLAC CTS SPORTWAGON
•What? New station wagon version of the CTS sedan; compact, four-door, five-passenger wagon available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).

•When? On sale since October in the U.S., this quarter in Europe.

•Where? Made at Lansing, Mich., with U.S.-built engine, French-made transmission.

•Why? Little additional cost because it's 85% common with CTS sedan. Can be sold in U.S. and with few changes, in wagon-loving Europe.

•How much? RWD base model starts at $39,150 including $825 shipping after recent price cut.
Loaded AWD "Premium Collection" test wagon was originally $54,445, but a $3,055 price cut early this month dropped that to $51,390.

•How many? Maybe 500 a month in the U.S., Caddy says — a tiny number overall, but strong for small luxo-wagons, such as the BMW 5 Series and Audi A4 and A6 wagons that Cadillac considers main rivals.

•How powerful? 3-liter V-6 rated 270 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, 223 pounds-feet of torque at 5,700 rpm. 3.6-liter V-6 rated 304 hp at 6,400, 273 lbs.-ft. at 5,200. Only transmission is six-speed automatic with manual-shift mode. AWD normally operates as RWD, can send up to 100% of power to the front wheels when rears slip or stability control requires.

•How big? Within a few tenths of an inch of a BMW 5 Series wagon. CTS sport wagon is 191.3 inches long, 72.6 in. wide, 59.1 in. tall on a 113.4-in. wheelbase.
Weight, 4,212 lbs. Passenger space, 98 cubic feet. Cargo space, 25 cu. ft. behind rear seat, 53.4 cu. ft. when rear seat's folded. Tows 1,000 lbs. Turning circle diameter, 36 ft.

•How thirsty? 3-liter, RWD rated 18 miles per gallon in town, 27 mpg on the highway, 22 in combined driving. All others: 18/26/21. Trip computer in 3.6 AWD tester registered 23.2 mpg (4.31 gallons per 100 miles) in highway driving, 13.8 mpg (7.25 gal./100 mi.) in suburban driving consisting mainly of short trips in cold weather, with a little keep-warm idling. Burns regular, holds 18 gallons.

•Overall: Unusually appealing.

To find your CTS wagon check out http://www.bradshawgreer.com/ today, or stop by Bradshaw Cadillac Chevrolet Buick GMC at 14000 E Wade Hampton Blvd Greer, SC 29651

GMC Granite, Audi A8 grab EyesOn Design Awards

Posted by David Phillips on Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 5:05 PM
The GMC Granite concept and the Audi A8 luxury sedan were awarded top honors today at the 2010 EyesOn Design Awards at the North American International Auto Show. The awards are judged by top automotive designers and academics from transportation design programs. In the concept vehicle category, the GMC Granite urban utility vehicle received top honors. The GMC Granite combines functionality with what GM calls an " urban-industrial design aesthetic." It is the smallest GMC ever, too.
The other concept vehicle finalists were the Nissan Mixim, Revenge Verde Supercar, and the Audi eTron concept.
Among production vehicles, the 2011 Audi A8 won the "Award for Design Excellence" It is the fourth generation of Audi's flagship car. The other finalists for production vehicles were the Bentley Muslanne, Fiat 500, Ford Focus, and Lincoln MKX.
The lead judges this year were Willie G. Davidson, chief styling officer for Harley-Davidson; Tom Matano, executive director of industrial design at the Academy of Art University; and Jack Telnack, retired head of global design for Ford Motor Co.
EyesOn Design at the North American International Auto Show is sponsored by the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology. The DIO is a not-for-profit that aids the visually impaired and facilitates research related to the eye.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze First Drive

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Cruzing the World
By Matt Davis, Contributor Published Apr 1, 2009

Amid the financial mess that has become General Motors, we're told that the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is coming our way, one more piece of GM's constantly improving product portfolio. Despite GM's financial drama, the Cruze refuses to get sidetracked. Good thing, because GM needs this new small car to have a firm footing in markets around the globe, including the U.S.
The Cruze sedan is being delivered to customers in European markets right now, and it has been on sale in Korea as the Daewoo Lacetti Premiere since late 2008. It will also be sold as the Holden Cruze in Oceania. Our several drives of the bowtie-badged Cruze with a variety of powertrains and transmissions in northern Spain have shown us that GM has at long last become a global thinker and planner like Honda, Hyundai, Toyota and VW.
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze replaces the Chevy Cobalt, which ends production in its plant in Lordstown, Ohio, early in 2010, but this is much more car than the Cobalt was ever planned to be. The Cruze has handsome exterior work, while the interior is impressively good for big people, and the car also looks and feels better than the price should allow.
Going GlobalKnown internally as project J300, the Cruze is the very first GM car to be planned from its green light back in late 2006 as a totally global model. It's taken GM awhile to set up something as brilliantly cost-effective as this car, but it's finally here and there is now no looking back. Here's hoping it's not too little, too late.
Engineering for the J300 project has been headquartered in Germany at GM Europe's headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany. All design work has been led by the international team in Incheon, South Korea, at the former Daewoo facility, with designers Dave Lyon and Taewan Kim presiding (love the BMW 3 Series-style taillights also found on the recently sexed-up Citroën C5). Cruze production is cranking full steam at a plant in Bupyong, South Korea, and will soon also rev up in St. Petersburg, Russia, and Shenyang in China.
With today's globalized perspective, all this makes the Cruze GM's most significant car ever. Provided economies in key markets pick up in timely fashion, annual worldwide sales of the Cruze could easily top 1 million vehicles. The best year for worldwide Chevy Cobalt sales came in 2005 with 148,949 sales; the total dipped to 118,349 in 2008. The Cruze has been given the task of exceeding these numbers in the U.S. alone.
The image of the car depends on the market you're talking about. In Southeast Asia (and perhaps in China as the Buick Cruze), it's a family's dream car. In Korea or Russia and Eastern Europe, it's a solid midmarket player, a clear notch above the Korean brands or VW-based Škoda. In Europe and Australia, the Cruze is the smart, well-finished alternative with big-car room and small-car practicality. For us in North America, the Cruze needs to steal customers from the Japanese, the Koreans, and from the Ford Focus.
Is It the Hit It Needs To Be?If we're to go by our industrious driving over two days, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze measures up to expectations. The Chevrolet people tell us that the Cruze as it sits on the new Delta 2 architecture (shared with the Chevy Volt and the next Opel Astra) incorporates lots of lightweight, high-tensile-strength steel. Our driving over lots of different surfaces shows that structural rigidity is noticeably better than the Cobalt's Delta 1 architecture.
While the new platform's front suspension struts and rear torsion-beam axle are fairly basic work, they are feeling finer than anything we've ever experienced under a Cobalt. This could be due to the Cruze's stretched wheelbase (2.4 inches longer), slightly wider tracks, plus optional 17-inch tires. The Cruze unsurprisingly doesn't steer like a BMW or Infiniti, although it doesn't feel out of the ordinary, with a strong on-center response. Understeer is, however, less than on the generation of cars the Cruze replaces worldwide.
The base model Cruze will be equipped with a 1.8-liter inline-4 rated at 140 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque. Later on, an optional turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-4 will be available, which produces 140 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. The Cruze weighs 2,844 pounds with the manual transmission and 2,899 pounds with the auto, so both are lighter than the current 2,991-pound Cobalt. We think this is a great thing, even though we're giving up 10 hp and 20 lb-ft of torque compared to the current Cobalt's engine, and can expect acceleration to 60 mph to be no quicker than 9.5 seconds.
The optional six-speed automatic transmission is a first in this segment, but the 1.8-liter base engine we get is a bit underwhelming, as any slight incline on the highway results in an old-school tug of war between 5th and 6th gears if the transmission is left in Drive. (What'll it be like with five passengers and luggage then?) Meanwhile, the standard five-speed manual is always good because its ratios mesh better with the power curve, and 5th gear is overdrive enough to make highway cruising, Cruzing. If North America gets the six-speed manual transmission that's being discussed, all the better.
Living Space Every DayBy the measurements, the Cruze passenger cabin tops the competition while also looking swell and managing to keep exterior noise from the wind, tires and motor from pestering occupants. We felt compelled to ask the product people right away whether the supportive front seats are optional. Same for the natty, soft-touch fabric that upholsters the dash. All standard, they say.
Rear passengers in a Cruze are also treated better than in any other car in this class, with 39.4 inches of headroom in front and 37.9 inches in back. Rear-seat legroom in back is tremendous at 36.1 inches. Rear shoulder room measures 54 inches, 5 inches more than in the Cobalt. We adjusted the driver seat to our 6-foot frame and jumped in the back. The space is worthy of an Impala, a real improvement as the Opel Astra-based Cobalt has always been desperately short of rear-seat space. Both ingress and egress are notably upper class for this market segment, with large door openings and an overall height of 58.2 inches, 2.7 inches more than the Cobalt.
The trunk of the Cruze is tops in class with 15.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity. In Europe, the Cruze will have a 60/40-split folding rear seat, but the U.S. model will get a cheaper one-piece folding seatback with a pass-through, although the 60/40 seat will be an option.
This Is Year Zero for the New ChevroletAfter all the calculations are done, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze should provide comfort and space and build quality never before seen in this segment at this price. A U.S. model of the base Cruze with manual transmission should start with an MSRP of around $15,500 (unless some way is found to sell it for the magical $14,999), and then about $1,500-$2,000 more will be tacked on for the LS, LT and LTZ trims.
After the Cruze is set on its way, the tiny Spark will be introduced in Europe in early 2010, followed by the next-generation Aveo to slot between the Spark and Cruze in mid-2010. Soon after the global passenger car lineup is complete, then comes the Delta 2-based Orlando crossover with available seven-passenger seating, arriving in North America at the start of 2011. Soon after that, the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia and Chevy Impala will be combined into one world car.
For now, we like what we see and hear and drive with the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. We do hope, however, that a Cruze SS with the 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 arrives without too much delay. And maybe a Cruze Sport, with a turbocharged, 170-hp version of the 1.8-liter engine. There is a hatchback version in the plans for Europe as well, not to mention some talk about an electric Cruze based on the Volt chassis.
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.

2010 Cadillac CTS / CTS-V - 10Best Cars: Maybe the best American car ever made.

Now entering its third year as a 10Best winner, the Cadillac CTS plays at the top of a segment packed with some of the best cars in the automotive kingdom. Its interior is gorgeous, with a truly expensive feel, and it is more spacious inside than most of its similarly priced competition. Outside, the CTS combines uniform shapes and sharp angles that borrow from nobody. But the way the CTS drives is what we keep falling for year after year—its moves are as crisp as its exterior lines. The CTS manages to blend refinement, driving dynamics, comfort, and performance in a refreshing, even exhilarating, way that satisfies enthusiast drivers and luxury seekers simultaneously.

For 2010, the sedan is joined by a new Sport Wagon that maintains the connected and rewarding feel of the sedan but adds practicality and arguably an even more stylish appearance. And for those who aren't satisfied by the 304 horsepower of the 3.6-liter V-6, Cadillac still offers the CTS-V, a 556-hp supercharged beast that brawls eagerly with the very best sports sedans from Germany. More than a few of us consider the CTS-V to be the best American car ever made. Put that assertion aside, and the CTS-V is still a bargain alternative to the supersedans from Germany.

The CTS lineup retains its place on our list of favorite cars because it is that rare thing: an American car that doesn't have to make excuses. It's simply great. Stop by and test drive the 2010 CTS at Bradshaw Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Pontiac today at 14000 Wad Hampton Bv. Greer, SC. Visit us 24/7 at http://www.bradshawgreer.com/.

Price, Reliability Drive Female Shoppers' Used Auto Purchases

When asked to name the most influential factors in choosing a vehicle, 62 percent of female shoppers claimed either price or reliability as their top motivator.

Specifically, a third of women said that price was their biggest reason in choosing a specific vehicle and 29 percent indicated reliability was most important.

Meanwhile, 19 percent claimed that fuel efficiency was the strongest influence, and 9 percent said the same about safety features.

Space was the most important factor for 8 percent of respondents, and 1 percent claimed convenience options as their top motivator.

For women with children under 18, price (33 percent) was also the top priority, but space (17 percent) was much greater of an influence. Reliability, again, was the No. 2 motivator, as 26 percent of this group listed it as their top factor for buying a vehicle.

Thirteen percent cited fuel efficiency as the biggest influence, 12 percent favored safety features and 0 percent claimed convenience options.

Finding the right car that balances price with reliability is a concern for all car shoppers. Doing your research online and visiting a car retailer that offers a variety of makes and models in all price ranges will help consumers achieve the value they're looking for.

For upfront Value Pricing, and a no hassle environment, shop at Saturn of Greenville SC, and Saturn of Asheville NC. Just visit our website at www.saturnofthecarolinas.com

Before You Buy That Used Car, Check for These Five Hidden Problems

That spiffed-up used car sitting in the driveway or on a dealer's lot may have "Buy me!" reflected in its appearance. But looks aren't everything. That spit-and-polish job may hide troubles under the hood - and on paper. Even used cars are a major purchase, so in order to avoid headaches after you drive away, here are five things you need to check out before writing out that check to buy a used car.

The potential deal-breakers are:

Lack of service records. Your car needs routine maintenance to stay in good condition, and you should make sure the used car you buy got it too. Ask the seller, even if it's a dealer, for all service records. If you can't get these, you have no way of knowing whether the car has been properly maintained. Also look for a windshield sticker indicating when the next oil change should occur. If you cannot find it, or it shows that the car's past due for a change, ask the seller why.

Accidents and vehicle history issues. You should obtain a vehicle history of any used car you plan to buy. The dealer should be able to provide one, or you can locate it yourself using the car's VIN (vehicle identification number) online at CARFAX. The report will tell you if the car has past damage to the body or frame, has been involved in any accidents, has title problems, or has had its odometer rolled back. Any of these should torpedo the sale. CARFAX charges $19.99 for a single report or $29.99 for 60 days of unlimited reports.

Mechanical problems. A used car may have mechanical problems that don't show up as puddles under the car body. That's why a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is essential. Performed by a neutral third party such as a certified mechanic or auto technician, a PPI provides a detailed report on the car's structural, mechanical and cosmetic condition. It can reveal maintenance problems and damage lurking beneath the surface. The inspector should use a paint meter gauge to detect any repainted body panels - usually a sign that a car has been involved in an accident that was not reported to the insurance company - and put the car on a lift to check thee undercarriage. You should use an inspector of your own choosing rather than rely on the seller's recommendation.

While a PPI runs anywhere from $100 to $200, causing many buyers to skip it, it is worth the expense. If it catches problems that aren't deal-breakers, you can use the knowledge to obtain a lower price for the car.

A problem title. The vehicle report will show any problem titles in the car's history. Avoid titles that show severe damage from hail, fire or flood; shun salvage titles, which indicate that the car was at some time in the past declared a total loss, and junk titles, which declare that the car is not safe to use and cannot be titled again in the issuing state.

A fraudulent title. Even a clean title may not really be clean. Criminals can create fraudulent titles and use them to legally register and sell stolen cars. Buy one of these, and you may end up losing the car you thought you owned, because it's not legally yours.

The first step in checking for title fraud is to run the title past the DMV. This may involve a modest fee and a trip to the nearest DMV office. At the very least, the VIN on the car should match the VIN on the title, and the seller's name should be the same as the name on the title. The check will also turn up any outstanding liens on the car, which mean that the owner is still making payments and does not own the car outright. If you're buying from a private seller, liens could complicate the deal.

Also check for subtler signs of fraud, such as an obscured VIN or other signs of tampering on the car or title, or title documents that do not appear crisp or are not printed on special watermarked paper. If you can, you might want to compare the title of the car you're considering to an original title for another car in the same state.

While these steps add time, cost and complexity to the process of buying a used car, they will save you money, embarrassment, or worse down the road. You can always walk away from a deal before you make it; cleaning up messes afterwards is far more troublesome.

For a trouble free, no hassle used car buying experience come see Saturn of Asheville or Saturn of Greenville.

Penske's Saturn: The Post-Modern Auto Company

Auto companies have traditionally been engineering and manufacturing businesses, rather than marketing and retail businesses. Henry Ford, for example, insisted dealers pay for his Model Ts as soon as they left the factory door. But what made sense in Henry's time, and reached its apotheosis with the huge River Rouge plant, the most vertically integrated automobile factory in the world, has become a liability today.

Auto plants cost staggering amounts of money to build and to run. And in an era where the manufacturing process no longer delivers major differentiators in terms of the finished product -- all vehicles have to meet similar safety and fuel economy mandates, and the cost and quality differences between the best and the worst are getting smaller all the time -- that's money many auto industry insiders wished they no longer had to spend. Especially as what largely defines an auto company these days is not where its products are made, but how its brands are perceived by consumers.

A Boxster is still a Porsche, even though it is built in Finland by Valmet. A Grand Cherokee is still a Jeep, even though it is built in Austria by Magna Steyr. Right hand drive Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series models are still seen as German cars, even though they are made in South Africa.

Which is why Roger Penske's Saturn play is a stroke of genius. With Saturn, Penske has the opportunity to create the first truly post-modern auto company. Penske's Saturn doesn't own a single factory, design studio, or proving ground. What it does own -- and all it needs to own -- is the intellectual property of the Saturn brand.

It's hard to imagine a more perfect candidate to become a post-modern auto company than Saturn. Envisioned by GM chairman Roger B. Smith as an import fighter because of advanced manufacturing techniques that included a highly automated plant and plastic body panels, Saturn succeeded not because the original car was good -- actually, it wasn't even remotely competitive with anything from Toyota or Honda -- but because it was cleverly sold and marketed. Saturn consumers bought into the defining promise of the brand -- no haggle pricing and great customer service -- rather than the physical attributes of the vehicle.

Although GM has agreed to build Saturns for Penske for at least two years, future Saturn models may be sourced from a variety of automakers around the world (the latest rumor has Penske talking with Renault). Saturn could simply rebadge another manufacturer's existing model, paying for U.S. market certification costs and minor cosmetic changes, or it could commission an automaker to design, engineer and manufacture a complete new vehicle. Either way, it could bring new models to market for way less capital cost than a traditional automaker.

Finding someone with spare factory space to build Saturns won't be hard: The world's automakers currently have the capacity to build 92 million vehicles a year, but will be lucky to build 60 million in 2009, says respected industry forecaster CSM Worldwide. And with the global economy expected to recover slowly from recession, there's going to be plenty of spare capacity around the world for a long time yet.

All Penske's Saturn has to do to succeed is sell cars and trucks that deliver on the promise of the Saturn brand. The actual vehicles can be made anywhere, by anyone, and as long as they are competitive with the mainstream players in their respective segments in terms of performance, economy, quality, and equipment levels, it almost doesn't matter what they are, because the

Saturn brand is mostly defined by a classy purchase experience. And if there's one thing Roger Penske knows how to do with class, it's selling cars and trucks.
Posted by Angus MacKenzie