4 new Cadillacs debut in China

GM tries to capture larger slice of exploding luxury car market, which is up by 24.5% this year.

Associated Press

Link to Original Article @ DetNews

General Motors unveils the Cadillac SLS on Friday in Shanghai, China. GM has surpassed Volkswagen for No. 1 in China, which is the company's biggest market after the United States.

BEIJING -- General Motors Corp. on Friday launched four Cadillac models in China, highlighting the country's growing market for luxury automobiles.

The world's largest automaker said the Cadillac Seville Luxury Sedan, also known as the SLS, will be priced between 500,000 yuan and 750,000 yuan ($63,580 to $95,340).

The Cadillac SLS is the sixth generation of the classic Cadillac Seville, which was launched three decades ago, a GM China statement said.

GM said Chinese demand for high-end cars was expected to strengthen in the coming years.

Luxury car sales in China rose 24.5 percent in the first eight months of the year, and annual demand for high-end passenger sedans is expected to reach 300,000 units by 2010, the statement said.

Other luxury car makers including Britain's Bentley, a unit of Volkswagen AG, have seen sales surge in China as racing economic growth creates a wealthy elite.

Rolls-Royce said in a report Thursday that China has become the automaker's No. 3 market after the United States and Britain. The company cited China's growing class of entrepreneurs as one of the reasons, and noted it was adding 200 employees to meet demand there for its $380,000 Phantom.

GM, beset by sluggish sales and crippling legacy costs, needs China to provide growth it won't find in the U.S. and other Western markets as it engineers its comeback.

While it's closing plants and trimming production in North America, GM is pouring more money into China -- with plans to spend $3 billion in 2004-07.

It has five vehicle factories and one engine plant and an auto financing venture, and is quickly expanding dealerships.

The world's largest automaker said the Cadillac Seville Luxury Sedan, also known as the SLS, will be priced between 500,000 yuan and 750,000 yuan ($63,580 to $95,340).

Anyone else notice that the price range of the SLS directly lines up with the 7-series?

If the SLS goes against the 7-series, a V-12 option will be necessary at some point.

If the SLS goes against the 7-series, a V-12 option will be necessary at some point.

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Except China doesn't have an autobahn or anywhere else that you would need a V-12.

Anyone else notice that the price range of the SLS directly lines up with the 7-series?

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Cars in China are more expensive.

Except China doesn't have an autobahn or anywhere else that you would need a V-12.

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They do have some highways with fast lanes that are 140 km/h (almost 90 mph).

Anyone else notice that the price range of the SLS directly lines up with the 7-series?

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The 7 Series in China is lwb only and ranges from 988,600 to 2,499,600 RMB, much higher than the SLS. Instead the SLS is priced against the BMW 5 Series LWB, which ranges from 518,000 to 699,000 + options, and the Audi A6L.

If the SLS goes against the 7-series, a V-12 option will be necessary at some point.

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Yeah... V12 Cadillacs are for the Chinese market,

here in the states Cadillacs should be V16 only.

I remember Uncle Bob complaining about alphanumeric car names... I hope he gets his wish and the Seville name returns to market here in the USA. That car looks great with the new grille coming at us.