I read 9 reviews on Cars.com today for the STS. Normally I'm not too trusting of auto journos, but when all 9 are generally praising it, and 6 of them basically gush on it, I realize that it has to have something going for it to overcome the journo bias against Cadillacs. Not to mention that that much good press is great for image and sales while Cadillac builds up its image once again.
Could Cadillac be on the road to fully competing with the world's "best"? The CTS, roadster (whatever it's called) and STS seem to say so. It seems Cadllac has a pretty good competitor in all three price segments, plus the Escalade SUV (which I'm still reluctant, though not totally averse, to calling a true Cadillac). Now, if only the cars had real names. I think Seville for the CTS, DeVille for the STS, and Eldorado for the roadster would work nicely. And a big S-class or 7-series type sedan would help image (I wrote a paper for a marketing class on what I believe Cadillac needs to be competitive, and in broad principle, that is what Cadillac is doing now).
Personally, I have warmed up to the looks after basically thinking they were butt-ugly, even next to a Bangle Bimmer. The STS and roadster look fantastic, the CTS I'm still lukewarm about, but it doesn't leave me cold anymore. The RWD is a HUGE plus for me. And although I'm not the hugest sporting or technology fan ever (to put it very mildly), the excellent inroads made by Cadillac in these areas in the last few years should help sales immensely. Already one report pegged sales up to 230k after a low in 2003 of 151k. More than doubling your sales in 2 years for a luxo company is pretty damn good, IMHO. Cadillac seems on the up-and-up, and although they still have some imagebuilding to do, it looks like they're getting there.
What's your thoughts?