By Rob
We just came back from some driving and testing in Germany, which I will summarize with some stories and photos soon.
Some of you on the blog have wondered why we’re testing when we’re seemingly so close to production on the 2008 car. The simple answer is that it never stops, not when we’re trying to reach the sorts of all-around performance we strive for. We have to verify all the production-tooled parts meet our performance targets, just like we validate during the prototype phase.
Speaking of which, I wanted to provide you with an update on where we are now in terms of our development process.
The 2008 model is in the stage where the final preparations are happening prior to the start of regular production. At this point, much of those preparations are in the manufacturing world.
Our plant in Lansing, MI (a great story unto itself) is indeed building some 2008 CTS cars – but not cars destined for public sale. This limited production run is part of the extremely detailed process in which that hugely important part of the business gears up, steadily preparing for that point at which we authorize that we’re ready to ship to our dealers around the world. That’ll happen later this summer in August or September. Our development team is just one participant in a huge process unfolding now to verify that the cars produced this summer is indeed ready to roll.
And as time goes on, we shift more focus on work beyond the 2008 model . . . stuff I can’t tell you about just yet.
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Comments
Just wondering, when you say "...steadily preparing for that point at which we authorize that we’re ready to ship to our dealers around the world. That’ll happen later this summer in August or September," Does that mean the authorization process and beginning of production happens then or does that mean that's when we will see the cars at dealerships? Sorry, you clearly can tell I just can't wait... and the longer I wait, the more likely I am to just fill that void of a new car with an unworthy competitor :(
Posted by: Fady | June 6, 2007 2:05 PM
Do you guys test in places other than Germany or the US, like Canada for instance? It seems easier to go north of the border to do winter testing than go to Sweden for example, or is there a reason for testing there because of some unique cold-weather trait?
Posted by: Dref De Moura | June 6, 2007 7:25 PM
FYI, I just put in my order for my 2008 CTS at my local Cadillac Dealership on May 31. Obviously, this means that August or September is deliver to dealer time. I recommend that you contact your dealer NOW and put in your order!
Posted by: JPS | June 7, 2007 12:26 PM
Hi, I'm sort of new to this forum, but I was wondering what your response to past criticism of the old CTS would be now that you've had a chance to redesign the car? Specifically, I'm talking about complaints that the old steering wheel was far too large and that the gear shifter was clunky and difficult to use smoothly.
Posted by: AWC | June 11, 2007 4:58 PM
Or, the fllor mounted emergency brake. Will this blunder finally be addressed?
Posted by: RLC | June 12, 2007 10:55 PM
How did the CTS suspension fair with the bumps of the ring, spcifically at the Bergwerk sectiona and Dottinger Hohe?
Posted by: James | June 14, 2007 12:58 PM
Have you considered offering more than the three primary interior colors most often used in GM vehicles? I am a Cadillac lover and one thing that I would like to see, being that Cadillac is the only stand-out, American-built luxury vehicle, is something like a "salmon" or "cinnamon" interior! Are there any plans for something like this in the future?
Posted by: Ty | June 21, 2007 7:06 PM
I'm a tall man and I don't enjoy it when manufacturers assume I like sunroofs. I don't. I hope you don't force me to buy a sunroof bundled in with the other high-end options I want?
Posted by: Sy | June 27, 2007 3:44 PM
i have an '05.its great, except for minor cheap items...no grab handles,no passenger key entry,no outside trunk key access,tiny glove box.i worry the ,08 will be so popular,that you'll think its 1959,and be very tough to deal with...now,your humble,,,,good.
Posted by: george shore | July 19, 2007 1:44 PM