General Motors has built the first Cadillac ATS sedans for public sale at the Lansing Grand River assembly plant in Michigan.
The car, in US dealerships in August, is Cadillac’s new entry into the most hotly contested global luxury segment, and paints a target around such iconic models as the BMW 3-series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class as well as the likes of the Infiniti G models. It has rear wheel drive, a choice of manual or automatic six-speed transmissions, I4, I4 turbo and V6 engines and plenty of lucury and technology options such as the new CUE interface.
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Lansing Grand River, also the production site for the CTS, underwent a US$190m upgrade for ATS production. A second shift was added, creating or retaining 600 jobs.
ATS exports to international markets will begin later this year.
Intitial US press reviews have been favourable, saying the automaker has achieved the driving dynamics to compete with the BMW but will have to work hard to build the sort of brand loyalty the German rivals enjoy after several decades. One comment reckoned the cabin quality and materials were superior to BMW’s.
ATS advertising starts during the television broadcast of the opening ceremonies of the Olympics on Friday (27 July).
