3-in-1 = Automotive Fun: Farewell ATS Sedan, Detroit Auto Show Dwindling & Holden Acadia

Its been quite some time since we’ve had a 3-in-1 posting, so here we go with one! Let’s jump right in with perhaps another sign of the SUV times we’re now living in...

ATS Sedan Axed

ATS Sedan and ATS-V Sedan.

Cadillac has announced that their ATS Sedan will be discontinued after the 2018 model year. However, the coupe will continue on for at least another year sounds like. This came out of the blue last week, and is honestly sad, as the ATS is a fine driving car. Now, it still has its flaws - it’s relatively tight inside, it continued its entire life cycle with its only major update being the changing of the Cadillac logo basically, and it’s a sedan in the crossover era, which it can’t really help. But the amount of performance you got out of the V-Series model always struck me as quite impressive. And desirable. But R.I.P. ATS sedan... Another case of close, but still a little too far from the crown.

Word is that the Cadillac lineup of sedans will be trimmed to just three - a CT4 to replace the ATS, a CT5 to replace the CTS, and the CT6, which I assume would remain the flagship and fill in for the eventual loss of the XTS. All will have rear-wheel drive layouts. Cadillac is also planning to introduce a crossover larger than the XT5 and smaller than the Escalade (‘XT6’ perhaps?). The Escala concept is also supposed to come to production in some manner around 2021. You can clearly tell the brand is trying to reinvent its modern luxury image.

Audi Out - Detroit Auto Show Loses Another Automaker

It’s not looking too hot for the Detroit Auto Show, and not because it takes place in the dead of winter either. Audi has just decided it won’t be showing up to the 2019 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), following in behind fellow automakers BMW and Mercedes-Benz who also said they won’t attend. One concern that’s been raised about the Detroit Auto Show is it’s timing - being in the winter causes journalists and visitors alike to have to brave the cold for reveals. Sounds weak... But I understand. I can’t stand being cold.

Another potrntial reason behind the constant backing out is that NAIAS falls so close to the Los Angeles International Auto Show and the Consumer Electonics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Many new technologies by automakers and other companies alike are often displayed at these shows, negating the need to rush into Detroit. I mean, Vegas weather in January or Detroit weather in January? Hmmm... Idk man.

It’s been proposed that the Detroit Auto Show move to October, when the weather is warmer and when it’ll be out of proximity of other major auto shows, save SEMA, which is more specialty-based. I like this idea, purely for the weather advantage, but also because it will allow for more flexibility of the show itself. For example, ride and drives and off-road courses could be held outdoors instead of everything being inside. We will see how this plays out and if any other manufacturers back out.

Crossing-Over Down Under: The Holden Acadia

The GMC Acadia was redesigned for the 2017 model year, after going on essentially unchanged since its 2007 introduction.
Now, word is Holden is getting in on the crossover action.

We know, Crossovers are the hot topic right now. But they’re so hot, until they’re actually going to be exported from HERE, in America, elsewhere now. We’ve heard about vehicles like Ford’s new EcoSport being produced in India and shipped to America. But it’s less common we hear of the reverse. Now, General Motors is going to add a third shift to its Spring Hill, Tennessee facility where the GMC Acadia and Cadillac XT5 are made and export the Acadia to Australia and New Zealand as the Holden Acadia. GM ended manufacturing there last year (R.I.P. Chevy SS). I actually think I saw a pre-production model on the highway in Michigan not long ago! It was an Acadia with different logos...

This news also comes not long after GM eliminated a shift to match slowing demand, but now demand is growing again. This isn’t the first time the company has had to add a shift for crossover demand either. Back when the Enclave initially came out, I recall hearing demand was so high additional shifts were needed to match production to sales. AND STILL in addition to this new shift, a $294 million dollar investment will be made to accommodate production of the upcoming large Cadillac crossover (again, XT6?). Spring Hill is where Saturns used to be manufactured, and it still looks like things are just as fresh as ever there.

So from this we can gather that crossovers are still the rage, Cadillac is soul searching, and Detroit has a decision to make rather soon. Your thoughts? Until we discuss cars again, ROLL ON!

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