Tustin Cadillac Shows Off New Models

The dealership brings together engineers, designers, sales managers, assembly line workers, buyers and sales people to see what’s new and what drivers want.


Take a ride in the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V at Tustin Cadillac. The acceleration is awesome. The car gets to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, and when the driver guns the car, you fall back against the luxurious leather seat as if you’re in a rocket. The CTS-V has attracted a lot of attention. It has a 6.2-liter supercharged engine with 556 horsepower and is the fastest vehicle in production out of Detroit this year, said Clark Wekenman, manager of Cadillac’s western region. The maximum speed in this vehicle is 191 mph, so the CTS-V needs special tires with different tread.

The ticket price is $70,590. Wekenman came in from Phoenix, and other engineers, designers and sales executives flew in from General Motors in Detroit and cities around the country. On Saturday, they mixed with local dealership folks and special guests when Tustin Cadillac hosted a catered event to introduce the 2011 models. The dealership sent out 250 Internet Evites to people they knew were interested in new luxury cars.

Tustin Cadillac was chosen because, said Wekenman, Orange County Cadillac owners make up a large market share of sales here in California. The event was an opportunity for designers, engineers, sales managers and even assembly-line workers from Detroit and other cities to learn directly from buyers and Cadillac sales folks what people expect in new luxury cars. “The public had a chance to talk to engineers and to test drive our vehicles,” Wekenman said. “The dealership listened to prospective
buyers and understood what the market demanded. “We want Detroit to know what the public looks for in new Cadillacs,” he said. “Buyers depend on our luxury cars being better than foreign-made automobiles. We invited Lexus, Mercedes Benz and BMW owners to see what Cadillac has to offer this year.”

When a Lexus driver, who is also an engineer, came in to look at Cadillacs during the event, he had questions about the power train, differentials, and shift points, and it so happened a power train engineer was there, Wekenman said. “She does the calibrating in Detroit, and she talked with him. It was an engineering conversation, back and forth, and the customer was surprised.

“The public provided feedback to GM, and they experienced the quality and workmanship of our vehicles in test drives with a GM employee,” Wekenman said. The competition is especially strong, he said, as many Asian imports are headquartered in California. Also featured on the lot is the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe. It’s been out for two months, a sporty two-door that’s also available as a sedan. With a sticker price at under $40,000, the CTS
will reach more midlevel buyers.

Wekenman said Cadillac has the best warranty in the industry. New for 2011 is Cadillac Premium Care Maintenance available on all new Cadillacs. It covers maintenance items for the first 4 years or 50,000 miles. Satellite radios are included in all Cadillacs for 201 1, with the option for navigation systems. “Safety features include air bags virtually all around the car,” Wekenman
said. “There are heated seats for both driver and passenger.”

The CTS sports sedan was Motor Trends’ “Car of the Year” in 2008 and for three years has been on Car and Driver’s “10 Best Cars” list. Violet Conley, a quality systems manager who has worked for General Motors for 21 years, says unity throughout the company is growing. “I see a synergy here with everybody being driven to regain market share and reenergize the company,” she said. “Past paradigms are outdated and misinformed. (General Motors) quality is good, reliability is strong. Don’t rely on misinformation and misconception.

Talk to the dealership, and even if you don’t buy, you’ll walk away with updated information. “We’re here to educate the public about 2011 Cadillacs,” she said. “We’re seeing people cross over from foreignmade cars,” Wekenman said. “We’re making the finest cars we’ve ever built.” Customers who took the time to complete a survey Saturday were rewarded with a $50 American Express card.

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858.678.0707

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