Cadillac is far from catching up the likes of Audi and BMW in the Chinese market, but they might grow their current market share in the next few years if they play their cards right. According to a Reuters report filed yesterday, Cadillac just isn’t cool with Chinese consumers due to the use of sharp angular designs on show which goes against Chinese design styles. I’d personally disagree with the diagnosis and say the different styling works in China, the problem is the Cadillac package itself.
A few weeks ago, during an informal chat with a group of people who may or may not be related to Cadillac China, we came up with a list of reasons why Caddy just cant compete with the Germans when it comes to swaying Chinese consumers into the Caddy fold. Design was never an issue for these guys:
1) The current SLS is far too out of date – Cadillac may have changed the older six cylinder engine for a much update 2.0T Direct Injection with 270bhp, but Chinese consumers really cannot compare it to the new 5-Series or the A6 in terms of style or brand pedigree.
2) The CTS is too small and the engine is too big – The CTS is probably one of the best looking cars in the segment, but Chinese consumers prefer fuel sipping engines, thus the 3.0L, 3.5L and 6.2T V6 (Update: It’s a V8, my mistake) engines are a little on the rich side for even for cash rich Chinese. American cars are called ‘Oil Tigers‘ in China, a stereotype derived from bigger American cars that drink gasoline like old Chinese men drink tea and Baijiu, GM hasn’t moved to dispel this stereotype from the Cadillac range as of yet.
3) Long delivery times – Made in America means longer waiting times. Made in Shenyang and Changchun means short waiting times.
4) The SRX SUV is priced on par with the locally made Audi Q5 and above the BMW X1 at 420,000RMB but again, it comes with a higher displacement engine. Of course imported buys you a certain prestige, but cost savings are a Chinese consumers favorite game. The SRX owners forums over at autohome.com.cn are filled with postings about fuel consumption.
5) Parts and Servicing – Although China is becoming more known for its free spending consumers that do not bat an eyelid at luxury prices, parts make or break the deal. If your car is off the road for several days while a part is shipped in from the USA, you will probably opt for a locally made Audi, BMW or Merc with your next purchase.
Currently Cadillac produces just the SLS in China with Shanghai GM but sales are small. There are supposedly plans to produce the new XTS in China and plans to import the ATS but a reliance on larger displacement power plants and imports is likely to impair Caddy in the short term. Chinese media reports did once indicate that the SRX would be produced in China along with a 2.0T engine but nothing has made it to the production lines as of yet.
From Reuters:
Chen Dong, the 42-year-old owner of a cellphone wholesale business in Beijing, is a big fan of Hollywood movies and the Chicago Bulls basketball team, and sends his daughter to college in the United States.
He thought of stretching that love of all things American to his car, but instead opted for a new black Audi A6 sedan over a rival Cadillac – underscoring the challenge facing General Motors Co as it seeks to promote Cadillac in China and transform it into a fully-fledged global luxury brand.
“The Cadillac SLS was one of our options, but we thought the look was just way too aggressive,” said Chen, who also called in at BMW, Volvo and Infiniti showrooms. “The Cadillac’s (exterior) lines were not smooth.”
GM’s Cadillac problem is that many other car buyers in China feel the same as Chen: that Cadillac’s edgy look, with its sharp, angular lines and creased edges – inspired by the design of American stealth military planes – is a turn-off, say analysts and, indeed, Cadillac marketers’ themselves.
The U.S. automaker now seems ready to phase out the angular look to woo more buyers in China, the world’s biggest market for cars and a beacon for global luxury brands – where a Mercedes S-Class 300 sedan can set you back $157,000.
GM Chief Executive Dan Akerson wants Cadillac sales in China to reach U.S. levels by 2015 or 2016, part of a broader push to globalize and revive the brand from decades of neglect and turn it into a serious rival to BMW.
GM do not understated Chinese taste. The car looks crude, overly aggressive and unsophisticated. It looks like a stealth fighter not a luxury car. Fine for buyers in Milwaukee not fine for buyers in Shanghai. GM do little consumer research and it is biting them on the behind. Get with it GM.They spend five bucks on marketing and advertising for every buck they spend on design. This will not work in international markets.
Chinese like to fit in and look the same as everyone else. How many black Audis are on the road in China? Or black cars. Everyone wants to stand out by looking the same. Kind of odd.
Rob – Id say with newer consumers, especially the post 80′s lot, you are seeing a big jump away from three box Audi’s and into other vehicles, hence the rise of the BMW X5, Q7, Land Rovers etc as business use vehicles.
With or without China Cadillacs are fugly, tacky looking, dated nasty vehicles. If you are a bling bound rapper, or some doom eyed pimp -ok buy one – it would suit yr tacky tastes.
Sadly the USA has finally started to build some reasonable looking vehicles – except for its sad retro mental masterbatory hang ups – but Cadillac is not building one of them.
Why would any one with half a brain buy one over a very good (but sometimes very boring and predictable) German product? They do and thats the sad thing-there is no accounting for taste!
oh, and yeah…….a 6.2L T V6!!!!!!!!???????????
It’s good to actually hear a voice from inside China talking about Chinese design preferences when it comes to cars.
There was a recent article in a South African publication that went on about about ‘Zhongyong’ and Confucianism being the reasons why Cadillac’s current styling options won’t work in China.
Ash, what’s your take on such theories?
Correct – its a V8. Will change…
Not everyone finds German cars that exciting. Mercedes are heavy tanks and not sporty looking, Audi is as boring as a Toyota, BMW has a few worth driving but you need to be able to walk with your nose up in the air and not trip while you are walking. I see quite a few of the SRX driving around down here. Less of the sedans for sure.
Design: SLS is aggressive but out of fashion for Chinese customers. SRX and the upcoming ATS is cool for Chinese. All Cadillac interiors are not well designed as their German competitors.
SRX has good retail volume in many Chinese cities, it should be local produced soon!