Cadillac CTS Coupe Wins Top Honors in The Detroit News Readers Choice Awards

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Two Cadillacs and a Chevrolet won three of The Detroit News Readers Choice Awards today, including the top honor of Best in Show for the Cadillac CTS Coupe.

Each year, the Detroit News takes 100 readers to the North American International Auto Show at Cobo and then asks them to pick their favorites in a variety of 11 categories along with Best in Show, according Nolan Finley, Editorial Page Editor of The Detroit News.

The CTS Coupe and the other award winners were announced today during a Detroit Economic Club luncheon. The dramatic CTS Coupe is slated to arrive in Cadillac showrooms in the spring of 2010.

Cadillac also claimed the Best Future Fantasy Award for the Cadillac Platinum XTS Concept car. Finley said that each of the categories were close calls with the exception of the Future Fantasy/Concept award. "Our readers overwhelmingly voted for the Cadillac XTS as best Concept. They were really impressed by the vehicle," he said.

The XTS Concept showcases Cadillac’s emerging top-of-the-line Platinum series, emphasizing new expressions of luxury and technological features, including a plug-in hybrid propulsion system.

The Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range capability claimed the newspaper contest's Most Earth Friendly Award for being the greenest vehicle at the show. The Chevrolet Volt is designed to drive up to 40 miles on electricity without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. The onboard range extender also allows you to take longer trips without plugging in. Volt production is scheduled to begin in late 2010.

"Volt represents a cornerstone in Chevrolet’s gas-friendly to gas-free approach,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager. "We are grateful that the Detroit News readers named Volt as the most earth friendly vehicle at the North American International Auto Show."

New Cadillac Concept, CTS-V Coupe To Ring In The New Year

Cadillac will premiere a new concept car at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 12, the latest in its series of dynamic designs. This latest concept advances the brand’s Art & Science philosophy that has included a series of acclaimed concept cars in recent years, such as the Cadillac Sixteen, CTS Coupe Concept and Converj. The 2011 CTS-V Coupe will make its world premiere in Detroit as well, and will enter into production in the summer of 2010.

Cadillac CTS Wins Car And Driver Magazine's Highest Award For The 3rd Consecutive Year

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Cadillac’s CTS product line, the centerpiece of the brand’s revised lineup, has been selected by Car and Driver magazine for its annual “10Best” list for the third consecutive year.

“10Best winners are those vehicles that crack the greatness code, offering that elusive combination of driving enjoyment, mission fulfillment, and value,” said Eddie Alterman, Car and Driver editor-in-chief. “That the CTS has made the list for a third consecutive year is a tribute to the Cadillac’s fundamental integrity and staying power”

Cadillac’s CTS Sport Sedan is the core of the brand, and initially was selected to Car and Driver’s 10Best in 2008. The high-performance 556-horsepower (415 kW) CTS-V model drove CTS back on to the 10Best list for 2009. And the new CTS Sport Wagon model that went on sale in September helped the CTS achieve the “3-Peat” this year.

The 2011 CTS Coupe and CTS-V Coupe join the lineup next year.

Car and Driver’s twenty-eight annual 10Best Award is the magazine’s highest honor, reserved for entirely new or substantially updated cars, and previous winners. Fifty-eight of the industry’s top new vehicles competed this year in the magazine’s extensive test. The entire 10Best award report appears in the January 2010 edition of the magazine, on newsstands now.

Cadillac Launches Two New Vehicles This Summer

Cadillac’s model lineup expands with two dramatically-designed new luxury vehicles that also bring new dimensions of versatility and efficiency to the marketplace. Cadillac announced today that the 2010 SRX Crossover, scheduled to begin production this summer, will be priced aggressively starting at $34,155.

Later this summer, the acclaimed CTS family will expand again with the arrival of the CTS Sport Wagon. Together with the all-new SRX, these two dynamic new Cadillac models are in sync with the changing priorities of today’s luxury consumers.

“In a tough market the new SRX and CTS Sport Wagon are the right products at the right time, says Steve Shannon,” executive director of marketing for Cadillac. “They offer new dimensions of versatility and fuel efficiency, along with Cadillac’s signature design and technical features.”

The all-new SRX launches into the strong luxury crossover vehicle segment, a category that now accounts for nearly one-fourth of all luxury vehicles sold in the U.S. market. The SRX features new downsized and fuel efficient engines in a completely redesigned vehicle that delivers a dynamic alternative in terms of visual appeal and driving character.

“We believe the Cadillac SRX offers emotional appeal to a segment previously devoid of much of that,” says Shannon. “At the same time, it also has very practical new features such as advanced All-Wheel-Drive, and an efficient standard 3.0-liter Direct Injection V6 engine. And with an entry price of $34,155 the new SRX presents an attractive offer to consumers, while taking on the traditional segment leader aggressively.”

The new CTS Sport Wagon offers the same design and technical features of Cadillac’s centerpiece model, the CTS sport sedan – but in a wagon body style that effectively doubles the car’s cargo space. The new Sport Wagon includes the same 3.0-liter Direct Injection engine that serves as the standard engine in the new SRX. In the Sport Wagon, highway fuel economy is estimated to reach 28 mpg.

Hot Car, Hot Spot: Cadillac CTS Adds WiFi System

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Cadillac will offer wireless internet access for its best-selling model, adding a new dimension to the passenger experience. Cadillac Wi-Fi by Autonet Mobile comes to the CTS Sport Sedan in April, giving passengers full internet access in and around the car via their laptop or WiFi device.

The launch of Cadillac WiFi by Autonet Mobile will begin with live demonstrations at the New York International Auto Show April 10-19.

“Consumers today are frequently searching for WiFi access wherever they may be,” said Mark McNabb, North America Vice President, Cadillac. “Adding WiFi is a natural extension of the tech features already inside the CTS, such as a 40 gigabyte hard drive with USB port, a pop-up navigation system featuring real-time traffic and weather forecasts and the exclusive ability to pause and rewind live radio.”

Cadillac WiFi uses technology from Autonet Mobile, the world’s first Internet Service Provider designed exclusively for cars. Cadillac WiFi by Autonet Mobile turns the car into a WiFi hotspot and works with any operating system supporting any Wi-Fi enabled device. It delivers an easy-to-use and seamless internet experience, with 3G mobile technology that maintains internet connections while the car is in motion. The system can support several devices at once, enabling one passenger to update a Facebook page, while another is gaming online or watching YouTube videos, for example.

Designed for use by passengers, the system requires no special software and achieves speeds up to 800Kbps. The dealer-installed option will retail for $499, with a monthly service subscription of $29.

GM Reports 221,983 Deliveries in December; 2,980,688 Vehicles Sold in 2008

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December deliveries up 30 percent compared with October and up 43 percent compared with November

Market share in December expected around 24 percent, up about 4 ppts compared with November, reflecting renewed APR rate support through GMAC

Second half 2008 share up nearly 2 ppts compared with first half

2008 market share position anticipated to hold steady at just above 22 percent

DETROIT - General Motors dealers in the United States delivered 221,983 vehicles in December, down 31 percent compared with a year ago. However, total deliveries were 67,000 vehicles more than November's result, up more than 43 percent month over month. GM December car sales of 87,506 were off 25 percent and truck sales of 134,477 were down 35 percent compared with a year ago.

For the year, GM delivered 2,980,688 vehicles while maintaining an expected market share just above 22 percent. Annual deliveries were down 23 percent compared with 2007, largely due to building weakness in the marketplace throughout the year spurred by economic headwinds such as the dramatic reduction in credit availability experienced in the fourth quarter, coupled with historically low levels of consumer confidence. Additionally, the American Axle strike and several supply disruptions impacted GM's performance in the first half of the year.

"Given the ongoing challenges and the difficult market environment, we were very encouraged to see a volume rebound for GM in December compared with both October and November," said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "We are building more vehicles than ever that provide great value and Americans enjoy owning. That is why, for the year, we are seeing our market share holding steady at just above 22 percent. That's 5 percentage points more and 760,000 vehicles more than our nearest competitor.

"Our outstanding cars, trucks and crossovers are enabling us to hold the leadership position in a very difficult market. Our Red Tag Event was well-received, and the ability to offer some 0% financing through our partner GMAC in the last week of the month also helped," LaNeve added.

Despite the weak market in December, Chevrolet Malibu continued its solid performance with total sales up 43 percent compared with last December. For 2008, Malibu sales of more than 178,000 vehicles were up 39 percent, making it the highest percentage gainer in the top 20 vehicles sold in America with a volume increase compared with 2007. With its six-speed transmission and four-cylinder engine combination, the Malibu delivers an EPA-estimated 33 mpg highway - tops in the industry's mid-car segment. The Malibu Hybrid also offers the lowest-priced hybrid in the segment. Additionally, with 4,500 retail vehicles delivered, the Chevrolet Traverse crossover nearly doubled its retail volume compared with November.

"We're really pleased about the strength of our Chevrolet brand, with the Malibu continuing to perform very well, and the Traverse crossover off to a strong start," LaNeve added. "Also, with a harsh winter and lower gas prices, our trucks and SUVs are continuing to perform well in their segments. With GMAC now able to provide more financing capacity, and with all the exciting new car and crossover launches including the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon and SRX, Chevy Camaro and Equinox, and Buick LaCrosse in 2009, we are optimistic that with an overall market recovery we can begin to capitalize on the well-recognized product renaissance of all our brands."

A total of 2,555 GM hybrid vehicles were delivered in the month. Hybrid sales included: 981 Chevrolet Tahoe, 442 GMC Yukon and 306 Cadillac Escalade 2-mode hybrid SUVs delivered. There were 454 Chevrolet Malibu, 34 Saturn Aura and 338 Vue hybrids sold in December. In 2008, GM sold a total of 14,439 hybrid vehicles.

GM inventories dropped compared with a year ago. In December, only about 872,000 vehicles were in stock, down about 36,000 vehicles (or 4 percent) compared with last year. There were about 397,000 cars and 475,000 trucks (including crossovers) in inventory at the end of December.

Certified Used Vehicles

December 2008 sales for all certified GM brands, including GM Certified Used Vehicles, Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, were 43,070 vehicles, up 21 percent from December 2007.

GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry's top-selling certified brand, posted December sales of 37,632 vehicles, up 24 percent from December 2007. Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 888 vehicles, down 24 percent. Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 3,740 vehicles, up 11 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 548 vehicles, up 14 percent, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 262 vehicles, up 85 percent.

Total 2008 sales for all certified GM brands were 485,279 vehicles, down 5 percent from 2007. Annual sales for GM Certified Used Vehicles were 422,114 vehicles, down 6 percent. Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 11,573 vehicles in 2008, down 9 percent. Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles finished 2008 with sales of 41,598 vehicles, up 7 percent from 2007, while Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles posted sales of 7,705 vehicles, up 6 percent, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 2,289 vehicles, up 71 percent.

"December sales for certified GM programs were strong, with GM Certified Used Vehicles up 24 percent over last December, as shoppers continue to seek value and peace of mind in a challenging economy," said LaNeve. "GM Certified finished 2008 as the sales leader among all manufacturer-certified pre-owned brands for the seventh consecutive year, and our Cadillac, Saab and HUMMER luxury certified brands each posted strong year-to-year sales increases."

GM North America Reports December, 2008 Production; Q1 2009 Production Forecast at 420,000 Vehicles

In December, GM North America produced 249,000 vehicles (105,000 cars and 144,000 trucks). This is down 3,000 vehicles or 1 percent compared with December 2007 when the region produced 252,000 vehicles (71,000 cars and 181,000 trucks). (Production totals include joint venture production of 10,000 vehicles in December 2008 and 15,000 vehicles in December 2007.)

GM North America built 823,000 vehicles (371,000 cars and 452,000 trucks) in the fourth-quarter of 2008. This is down 219,000 vehicles or 21 percent compared to fourth-quarter of 2007 when the region produced 1.042 million vehicles (358,000 cars and 684,000 trucks). Additionally, the region's 2009 first-quarter production forecast is now 420,000 vehicles (143,000 cars and 277,000 trucks), which is down about 53 percent compared with a year ago, and about 180,000 fewer than the previous forecast. GM North America built 885,000 vehicles (360,000 cars and 525,000 trucks) in the first-quarter of 2008. First quarter 2008 production was reduced nearly 100,000 vehicles due to the strike at American Axle.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 252,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 34 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

Note: GM sales and production results are available on GM Media OnLine at http://media.gm.com/us/gm/en/ by clicking on News, then Sales/Production. In this press release and related comments by General Motors management, we use words like "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "objective," "plan," "goal" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, representing our current judgment about possible future events. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors. Among other items, such factors might include: market acceptance of our products; shortages of and price increases for fuel; significant changes in the competitive environment and the effect of competition on our markets, including on our pricing policies; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and financing sources and an appropriate level of debt; and changes in general economic conditions. GM's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q provide information about these factors, which may be revised or supplemented in future reports to the SEC on Form 10-Q or 8-K.

CTS SPORT WAGON

The CTS Sport Wagon will be seen in European Cadillac dealerships during 2009, showcasing a dramatic design that brings the wagon body style to new markets. Complementing the styling and ample interior space, a range of fuel and emissions-efficient, six-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines are expected to make the CTS Sport Wagon an attractive alternative to larger luxury vehicles.

The CTS Wagon is launched with a 3.6L V6, direct injection powertrain generating 227kW (311 horsepower). Direct gasoline injection technology delivers fuel more precisely to increase the efficiency of combustion and helps the CTS offer more power while less fuel is consumed and less emissions are created. The engine shows a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions in comparison with previous engines of a similar size.

The engine is matched with a fuel-saving, electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission. As with the CTS Sedan, the Sport Wagon includes All Wheel Drive as an option.

An efficient 2.9L turbo-diesel engine is currently being developed for CTS models. Due for launch later in 2009, it is a compact, dual overhead cam, four-valve V6 engine from GM’s family of diesel engines. The engine is rated at 184 kW (250 hp) and delivers optimal fuel economy, low emissions and noise levels. It is expected to significantly boost demand for the model in key European markets.

Like other historic Cadillac designs, the new CTS Sport Wagon has an unmistakable and dynamic presence, striking a sporting stance, with a wide track. Signature exterior cues include horizontal spline lines and dihedral, v-shaped hood. Further exterior highlights include 19-inch wheels and the option of a large, panoramic sunroof.

“The addition of this dramatically-designed Sport Wagon is well synchronized with today’s changing consumer tastes as a compelling alternative to SUVs or other larger vehicles,” says Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. “This is an important step in Cadillac’s ongoing global expansion, and of course in international markets like Europe, wagons have been and continue to be very significant.”

The CTS Sport Wagon rides on the same 2,880mm wheelbase as the CTS Sedan, but offers a generous cargo area behind the rear seats. Functionality was a guiding factor during development, but so was injecting emotion into the normally sedate wagon category.

One example of this integration of form and function is found in the seamless roof load management system. Rather than brackets and cross bars that protrude above the roof line, the CTS Sport Wagon’s system blends with the roofline, maintaining an uninterrupted appearance.

The center section of the roof panel angles downward inside the roof edges. This allows an unobtrusive placement of the cross bars and creates a subtle fin effect at the trailing edges of the rear panels.

An intricately cut rear profile injects fashion-forward design into a distinctive silhouette that suggests speed and aerodynamic efficiency. The Cadillac “V” motif culminates in a spine at the center of the power-opening liftgate, accented with a subtle spoiler at the top of the backlight.

The rear quarter panels extend slightly beyond the inward-angled planes of the V, creating a distinctive W shape at the rear of the vehicle. Large, prominent vertical tail lamps – with Cadillac’s signature light pipe technology – are the final, dramatic touches to the rear-end styling.

The interior of the CTS Sport Wagon is common to the much-acclaimed Sedan, including streamlined instrumentation, LED lighting and hand-cut-and-sewn accents with French stitching. Again combining form and function, an integrated cargo management system offers adjustable in-floor containment. The CTS Sport Wagon, like the Sedan, includes available features such as a 40-gigabyte internal hard drive, pop-up navigation screen and a hand-cut-and-sewn interior with Sapele wood accents. Extra safety is offered by a rear-view camera system, integrated with the navigation system.

The Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon will show up at European Cadillac dealerships during 2009. Price information and equipment details will be announced later.

CTS SPORT WAGON PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

Vehicle type:	four-door, five-passenger rear-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive wagon
Wheelbase (mm):	2880
Length (mm):	4859
Width (mm):	1842
Height (mm):	1502
Track (mm):	1570 (front); 1575 (rear)
Engines:	3.6L V-6 VVT DI (227 kW/311 hp)
Transmissions:	Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic
Suspension:	four-wheel independent: MacPherson strut front; multilink rear, progressive rate coil springs, monotube shock absorbers
Steering:	variable-assist rack-and-pinion
Brakes:	four-wheel disc; dual-piston front calipers; single-piston rear calipers
Wheels:	18-inch or 19-inch aluminum
Luggage capacity (L):	349 (behind rear seats), 704 (behind front seats, 2nd row seats folded)
Total volume (L):	3081