Update: Added XLR, BRX, and product plan image…

The tentative UAW contract (which is expected to be ratified next week by the membership) has some interesting tidbits about GM’s upcoming product plans.

Of note for Cadillac fans is confirmation that 2009 will bring production of a CTS-based coupe and a CTS wagon. Both will be built in the Lansing plant that builds the current CTS sedan.

In 2011, Lansing will also add a Zeta based large car, expected to be the STS/DTS replacement to compete against the S-Class and 7-Series.

GM’s Lordstown, OH plant is also comfirmed to get a small rear-drive sedan, expected to be the rumored Alpha platform that will spawn a new small Cadillac that will more directly compete against the BMW 3-series (allowing the CTS to move upmarket and go against the cars it most closely matches, size-wise, the 5-series and E-class). Expect production in 2011.

2012 is shown as the year for the XLR replacement (to be built alongside, again, the Corvette in Bowling Green, KY).

Also of interest is the plan by GM to build a new “Theta/Epsilon” crossover at their Spring Hill, TN plant in 2011 – this combo platform is expected to be the basis for the new Saab 9-4x and Cadillac BRX.

See more of GM’s product plans at:

Detroit Free Press: GM product plans unfold in pact

Categories: News, CTS, BRX / BTX, Rumored Models
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The UAW strike on GM plants will come to an end today (September 26th, 2007) in time for the 2nd shift at most plants.

The deal sees the union making concessions on some health-care issues/liabilities while GM will not increase union member health care costs.

The deal also maintains the controversial jobs bank, while increasing the distance away from home a worker might be required to take a new job (rather than just keeping their salary and benefits). The current requirement is that a worker has to take a job within 50 miles – the distance in the new contract is not yet known.

GM also gets a more competitive, tiered pay scale where non-assembly workers could make as little as $12/hr (new hires only).

This bodes well for all of us that are looking to pick up a new CTS as the strike was preventing this critical launch for Cadillac from going smoothly.

Categories: News, CTS
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As we know from before, Cadillac will be pushing the new CTS hard on CBS.

This is one more sign – Cadillac is giving away a CTS to a lucky visitor to:

http://www.cbs.com/cadillac/sweepstakes/

It appears that they will be giving away one prize a week with the CTS given away during the week of Oct 29 – Nov 4. It also appears you can enter once a week – though they seem a touch vague on that part.

Good luck and may one of you Caddy Edge faithful win the grand prize.

Categories: News, CTS
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The Chicago Sun-Times has yet another review of the new CTS.

If you were looking for a review that might push you right over the edge into going to pick up a new, shiny CTS of your very own – this may be the gush-fest you are looking for.

If you are fighting the urge and trying to resist the siren-song of the new car as long as possible – I advise you to avoid this one review.

Chicago Sun-Times: Bowl me over and call me CTS

Categories: News, CTS, Reviews
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Saab managing director, Jan-Ake Jonsson, has confirmed that Saab and Cadillac are working together on a premium version of GM’s Theta platform for a new crossover/SUV that would slot below Saab’s 9-7X and Cadillac’s SRX.

While both would be developed together and share under-the-skin engineering, neither is expected to share any ‘customer facing’ parts such as sheetmetal or interiors.

Theta is currently the basis of the Saturn Vue, Chevy Equinox, and a host of other GM smaller SUVs – though the variants from Saab and Cadillac would possess powertrains and engineering that would set them apart (and above) their GM siblings. It is rumored that parts from the upcoming Epsilon 2 chassis would also be part of these new models.

Expect these to hit the market in less than 2 years with Saab possibly showing a ‘concept’ of its ‘9-4X’ at the January 2008 Detroit autoshow.

Categories: News, BRX / BTX, Rumored Models
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