In 2017, with a + 3% gain in sales, the global car market recorded its eighth consecutive annual increase, amounting to 96.8 million new vehicles on our roads.
In 2018, we recorded a slightly smaller increase, with a +1% that should translate to 98 million new vehicles. In short, an increase influenced by the economies of China and India, which continue to grow. After reaching a historic low, Brazil and Russia are on the rise again.
A different situation in North America
In North America, the situation is quite different and is in somewhat of a decline. In a heartbreaking statement, Ford announced the discontinuation of almost all of its cars including, in North America, the Fusion, C-Max, Taurus and Fiesta by 2020. However, instead of taking this step back as a fatality, the GM manufacturer sees the situation as a business opportunity and has decided instead to invest.
A business opportunity
In order to secure the Cadillac ATS and Cadillac CTS market, GM announced an additional $175 million investment at the Grand River plant in Lansing, Michigan. That amount is in addition to the $211 million announced a few months ago. The CT4 and CT5 will now be replaced by the existing ATS, CTS and XTS models. They will share their platform, a question of savings during the conceptual stage. Aesthetically, we’re expecting vehicles that will borrow the signature look of the recent Escalade concept.
We’re aiming for production in 2019
It’s expected that production of the CT5 will begin in 2019. Among other things, we should be presenting the new models in a spring show and we’re betting on it being in New York with its famous Cadillac House.
With so many announcements at GM, there’s no doubt that the competition will experience a decline.
