General Motors has dived into the deep end of social media. Among the multitude of GM corporate blogs, twitters, and facebook accounts I find Tell Fritz to be the most informative. This GM site is a forum where you can ask GM’s managerial staff any question you like. Keep in mind that you might not get the candid answer you were looking for, but still there are a few nuggets of insight buried in there.

Below I have summarized the best information I can find. My favorites include remarks on Cadillac’s large sedan developments (XTS), no new compact pickups from GM after 2012, and no Buick Riviera planned.

Buick

• Buick Enclave supply issues? The Enclave has low inventory levels across the country - the Enclave continues to be in high demand, especially in California. To satisfy this continued demand, GM has recently added another production shift to the assembly plant that builds the Enclave and inventory should increase.


• Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia sold at same dealerships? While both vehicles are on the same Lambda platform, the vehicles have different ride characteristics. The Enclave is quieter and more isolated; the Acadia has more road feel. The vehicles also have different features available to consumers.


• Will there be a new SUPER version of the Buick Lacrosse? There are no plans for any more “SUPER” models.


• Is a Buick coupe (Riviera) planned? There are no plans for a coupe in the near future.

Cadillac

• Where does the XTS fit into Cadillac’s lineup? The XTS will fit in the market focused on comfort, luxury, interior space, and fuel efficiency, for a mid-luxury market price of $50,000 - $60,000. The XTS won’t be marketed as an ultra-luxury flagship sedan (e.g. BMW 7-Series, Mercedes S-Class). Sales volumes of 7-series and S-class sized cars are very small, in GM’s judgment, declining based on the economy and consumer need for more practical and environmentally-oriented solutions. The XTS will use a Premium Epsilon platform (derivative of the Buick Lacrosse platform). It will feature front-wheel and all-wheel-drive, high-feature V6s, turbocharged V6s and possibly a V8 powertrain.


• Why alpha-numeric nameplates (i.e. CTS, SRX and STS)? Cadillac is a global company, so the meaning of names in other languages must be taken into consideration. This is the reason that virtually all global luxury car companies use alpha-numeric "names" on their products. Cadillac will keep “Escalade” on next-generation model.


• CTS-V vs. Top Gear? GM is looking into the idea of getting the Cadillac CTS-V on Top Gear. Good idea, Jeremy Clarkson liked the first one.


• Manual transmissions? Data shows that manual transmissions are sold on approximately 3% of cars in the luxury class. Considering Lexus only offers manuals on a limited variety of vehicles, Cadillac will keep it on low-end or specialty vehicles only.


• CTS Sport Wagon sales success? CTS Sport Wagon is a hot product and is selling well, according to GM.


• What does “STS” stand for? "STS" used to mean “Seville Touring Sedan,” but has come to be a designation unto itself and no longer has a linguistic meaning.


• Is the Cadillac SRX a rebadge of the Saturn VUE? The SRX does not share any architectural components with the Saturn VUE. The SRX wheelbase is wider and longer than the VUE and its suspension and AWD system are unique and much more sophisticated. No interior appointments are shared between the two.

GMC

• Why have GMC when you have Chevy? Customer research and buying behaviors suggest that there is an intense loyalty to the GMC brand. Also, the 2 brand approach to pickups has given GM industry leadership in pickup share (even more than Ford).


• New compact pickup truck? GM will continue to update the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. However, there are no plans to replace either at the end of their product cycles. GM will end production of small pickups in 2012.

Chevrolet

• New midsized body-on-frame SUV? The market has shifted away from these types of vehicles. GM doesn’t plan on competing with the new Toyota 4Runner.


• Camaro 4-door sedan or SUV? There are no plans for such models (duh).


• Future of large SUVs (Chevy Suburban)? GM will continue to invest in large SUVs despite the drop off in demand


• Chevrolet SS sedan? There are currently no plans for such a vehicle.


• No Chevrolet Uplander (minivan) replacement? Fritz Henderson’s unedited answer “We developed and marketed minivans over the course of many years, but did not achieve the type of position that we needed to win.”

Powertrain/ miscellaneous

• GM big lot dealers? GM won’t promote the idea of dealers selling the whole GM product line. Customers get the best experience when dealers are able to concentrate on fewer brands.


• Made in the USA? GM has pledged to build a sub-compact in Orion, MI. The vehicle (Chevrolet Spark) will be the only small car assembled in the United States.


• Compressed Natural Gas? CNG vehicles are a no go for North America, despite the fact Honda sells the Civic GX in relatively good numbers.