Hot News: Cadillac Plans 7 Models

Cadillac is set to explore a seven-model expansion plan as part of a new initiative.

Following a sales boost last year of 35 per cent year-on-year for 2010, GM’s luxury brand aims to attract more buyers to its showrooms and hopes to build on the fastest sales growth seen amongst premium car manufacturers in the US.

According to insiders, the firm is looking into a small SUV, a large flagship saloon, a subcompact car to rival the Mini Cooper (inspired by LA's ULC concept) and a Cadillac take on Chevrolet’s Traverse model and Buick's Enclave – both SUVs. Next year will also see the introduction of a larger XTS saloon and a compact car.

The company’s sales rise was led by the SRX SUV and the CTS coupe – which made up 66 per cent of its sales - so the new model line-up is hoped will ease the firm’s reliance on these versions.

Cadillac’s first step will be adding to high-volume luxury models, followed by more specialised variants. According to Don Butler, the brand’s U.S. marketing vice president: “We have got to get the core covered with a compact, a mid-sized luxury car, a mid-sized crossover SUV and a large car.”

As well as new models, the company is also making special efforts in its marketing department to reduce its average customer age of 62, to a younger and more affluent demographic.

Thanks to: Autocar

Hot News: Rolls-Royce Plans 3 New Models

Rolls-Royce is ramping up three variations of its new Ghost saloon: a long-wheelbase version, a drophead coupé and a coupé. All three variants are due to go on sale within the next three years.

Rolls-Royce has previously confirmed that the Ghost lends itself to body variations, and this stretched version is expected to arrive first. All of the extra length is added aft of the B-pillars, requiring a new roof and elongated rear doors. The wheelbase is expected to grow by up to 150mm. The 6.6-litre, twin-turbo V12 powertrain remains unchanged.

The pair of two-door models will follow, although it’s not yet clear in which order they will appear. Unlike the Phantom Drophead Coupé, which was previewed by the 100EX concept, there will be no show car introduction.

Rolls-Royce is also exploring the possibility of greener models. “We will evaluate alternative propulsion next year,” Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös told Autocar. “We want to find out what our customers expect.”

The company is less pressured than some on ‘green’ issues, at least in terms of corporate average CO2 emissions, because it’s counted within the BMW Group. The relatively high emissions of Rolls’ low-volume range are easily counterbalanced by the Mini and EfficientDynamics BMWs.

Müller-Ötvös also predicts long lives for its models. “Our customers don’t expect to be at the forefront of technology. Our cars are about arrival and departure,” he said. “They need to have long lives because they’re icons. Our customers are not interested in quick change, because that costs a lot of money.”

Thanks to: Autocar