No Discount for You: Cadillac Holds Price on '07 Escalades

Date posted: 03-21-2006

DETROIT — Customers hoping for a price break on the redesigned 2007 Cadillac Escalade editions may be disappointed to learn that General Motors will hold the line on prices as the vehicle debuts over the next several months.

GM said the long-wheelbase '07 Escalade ESV will go on sale in May, with its suggested retail price unchanged from 2006 at $59,680, including destination, for the AWD model. The standard Escalade AWD went on sale last month and is priced at $57,280. The two-wheel-drive version of the standard Escalade won't reach dealers until August; its sticker price will remain at $54,725.

The '07 Escalade EXT pickup, a premium companion to the Chevrolet Avalanche, will arrive at dealerships in May, with its MSRP unchanged at $54,210 for the AWD variant.

GM said the '07 Escalades represent a good value, and not just because they have been extensively redesigned. The new models also get additional standard equipment this year, including a power liftgate, side curtain airbags for all three rows, remote start, more horsepower and better fuel economy. The AWD Escalades get a new 6.2-liter V8 rated at 403 horsepower.

What this means to you: Cadillac has added features to its big SUVs — but don't look for any bargains at the dealership.

Link: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=109704

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As if the new Escalade needs to be offered with any discount. It'll sell itself easily.

So wait. Adding features yet keeping the pricing the same means no bargains? Are you being serious? If you're getting more, for the same, it's a friggin bargain!

Edmunds Dicks it up Again

Date Posted: 03-21-2006

CLEARWATER - Edmunds.com has once again demonstrated a dire lack of understanding. In a recent news blurb regarding General Motors' decision to withhold the typical discounts and high incentives on the new 2007 Cadillac Escalade line, the California-based JAVA popup repository remarked about the sport utility's greater power, fuel economy, and level of standard equipment, including never-before-offered features all offered at no increase to the previous model year's price. However, in the closing summary line, editors chose to emphasize an inherent lack of value with the statement, "don't look for any bargains at the dealership."

Automotive analysts and linguists alike ponder at what definition of 'bargain' Edmunds.com chooses to base their conclusions as it is generally accepted that offering more costly equipment and improvements on a vehicle that does not itself increase in MSRP would be considered a relative bargain. Some theorize that Edmunds.com may be attempting to poke fun at itself with this satirical commentary, or perhaps attempting to be wholly ironic in that the publication has long argued that General Motors should sell vehicles that don't require massive incentives and cashback offers.

What this means to you: If you want a luxury sport utility with great value, consider Cadillac's new Escalade line. If you need a good laugh, visit Edmunds.com, but only after upgrading ActiveX controllers and downloading the latest software from Quicktime, Shockwave, and JAVA.

So wait. Adding features yet keeping the pricing the same means no bargains? Are you being serious? If you're getting more, for the same, it's a friggin bargain!

It's a bargain for sure!

I might add that adding content while keeping prices in check is sort of a "positive" incentive scheme, as it impacts consumers favourably.