SPECIAL SUPPLLEMENT WEDNESDAYW 30 MARCH 2016 Cadillac revving up sales to younger luxury buyers ADILLAC, a favourite among America’s older ‘supper club set’, is revving up sales to younger luxury buyers in China through smoother designs and local- ised production to keep prices Caccessible. The General Motors brand is softening some hard edges on its angular cars to appeal to Chinese buyers used to the smoother lines of luxury cars made by BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz that dom- inate high-end sales in the world’s biggest car market. After a slow start in China, Cadillac is poised to overtake Japan’s Lexus among the leading second-tier luxury brands, according to consultancy LMC Automotive. The opening in January of its first ded- icated factory in China should also help Cadillac make its cars more accessible to younger luxury buyers by avoiding a 25 per- cent import tax. Cadillac says the average age of a buyer of its cars in China is 34, little more Customers look around Cadillac models than half the average age in the US. the US last year. GM had thought about discontinuing, saw “In China, young buyers already dominate While shopping for a car in Beijing, record China sales last month. at its dealership in Beijing, China. the luxury market. Since Cadillac is a rela- 26-year-old entrepreneur Ge Di said he pre- Among the relative newcomers to China’s tive newcomer ... it was far easier to begin to ferred Cadillac over the more established premium market, Cadillac is vying with Lin- cultivate the desired positioning for the brand German luxury brands. “Mercedes, BMW, even coln, Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan Motor’s Infiniti Chinese who want to drive themselves, he from the get-go,” Cadillac President Johan de Audi, skew more towards businessmen. The and Honda Motor’s Acura to unsettle the dom- added. “You will see a softening of some of Nysschen said. comfort level is a bit higher, but as a young inant German brands. the hard edges, and more three-dimension Cadillac’s China sales rose 17 percent last person I care more about performance and De Nysschen - whose efforts to revitalize styling on the side of the car,” de Nysschen year to nearly 80,000 cars, or a 4.1 percent design,” he said. Cadillac include moving its headquarters from said, but cars will still be “instantly recognis- share of the luxury market, on the back of its China’s luxury car market - seen rising Detroit to New York’s SoHo - says the brand will able as Cadillac.” ATS-L compact sedan and XTS large sedan. 15 percent this year even as slower economic produce a single model design for its cars rather Cadillac’s next China-produced car, the This year, de Nysschen has set a 25 percent growth saps overall demand - is breathing new than making different versions for the Chinese XT5 crossover SUV, will be aimed at a seg- growth target, to above 100,000 Cadillacs in life into brands seen as ageing or unfashion- and US markets. China will play a larger role in ment of the market that has defied the overall China. able in the United States. driving the future direction of its global image. Instead, it will have one global “right size” slowdown, with sales up 50 percent last year. The former BMW and Infiniti executive Ford, for example, considered closing For example, Cadillac will stop designing design, de Nysschen said, somewhere between “We see (Cadillac) growing significantly faster predicts China could overtake the United down its Lincoln brand, which with Cadillac separate long wheel-base cars for China, a the previously stretched Chinese version and than the luxury market overall, and we see a States as Cadillac’s biggest market in 5-10 dominated US luxury sales until the 1990s, but mainstay of German luxury brands to appeal the shorter US version. lot of growth opportunity in the SUV area,” years. Cadillac sold around 175,000 cars in China has revived its fortunes. Buick, which to chauffeur-driven Chinese businessmen. The shift is partly driven by younger GM President Dan Ammann said in Beijing. 2 WEDNESDAY 30 MARCH 2016 The GMC Yukon Family Commands Respect HE GMC Yukon family of full- control by “reading” the road every millisecond size SUVs provides the capability, and changing damping in just five milliseconds. refinement, safety, performance and connectivity discerning cus- ADVANCED POWERTRAIN tomers expect. For 2016, Yukon, TECHNOLOGY Yukon XL, Yukon Denali and Yukon TXL Denali expanded the Enhanced Driver Alert The Yukon family is powered by the Eco- Package; and added two 22-inch wheel options, Tec3 engine family. A 5.3L V-8 is standard in hands-free liftgate for SLT models, two new Yukon and Yukon XL models and an exclu- exterior colours and a capless fuel fill feature. sive 6.2L engine is standard in Denali models, The Yukon was all new for the 2015 model delivering the segment’s best horsepower and year, distinguishing itself with bold exterior torque – SAE-certified 420 horsepower (313 styling, a precision-crafted interior and a more kW) and 460 lb-ft of torque (623 Nm). standard features designed to broaden the appeal EcoTec3 engines feature state-of-the-art of already one of the industry’s most popular technologies including direct injection, cylin- family of full-size SUVs. der deactivation, continuously variable valve The Yukon’s distinctive Denali models timing and an advanced combustion system provide an exclusive collection of design, per- designed to make the most of power, torque and formance and upscale interior amenities. More efficiency across a broad range of operating than half of all Yukons sold are Denali models. conditions. The precisely controlled combus- tion enables a higher compression ratio for YUKON AT A GLANCE greater power and efficiency. The 5.3L V-8 is matched with the Hydra- Yukon SLE and SLT models are powered by Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission, advanced EcoTec3 engines that deliver more while the 6.2L in the Denali features the Hydra- horsepower and torque with the segment’s Matic 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmission. best V-8 fuel economy. EPA-estimated high- Designed and built by GM, the 8L90 fea- way fuel economy is 23 mpg with the standard tures smaller steps between gears, compared 5.3L engine (2WD models). Mannai Trading Co, the to the previous six-speed automatic, keeping Yukon Denali’s exclusive 6.2L engine makes exclusive dealers for the engine within the sweet spot of the rpm the most power in the segment – 420 horse- band to make the most of its horsepower and power and 460 lb-ft of torque. It’s matched to Denali models are instantly identifiable by their • An 8-inch-diagonal Color Touch radio GMC vehicles in Qatar, torque to optimize performance and efficiency. an eight-speed automatic transmission that signature chrome grille and unique exterior with GMC IntelliLink is standard on SLE and is offering the 2016 A wider 7.0 overall gear ratio spread provides further enhances efficiency and refinement. appointments, including exclusive high-inten- SLT; and an 8-inch-diagonal Color Touch radio a numerically higher 4.56 first gear ratio, help- Yukon and Yukon XL share design and pow- sity discharge headlamps. with navigation is standard on Denali and avail- Yukon with exclusive ing drivers start off more confidently with a ertrain elements. The Yukon XL wheelbase is Additional exterior features include: able on SLT benefits which include heavy load or when trailering. 14 inches longer (20 inches longer overall) for • Inlaid doors fit into the body side openings • Bose nine-speaker audio system is stand- greater third-row legroom and more than dou- instead of over the top of the body, to reduce ard on SLE and SLT • 5 Years / Unlimited SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES ble the cargo room behind the third-row seat. wind noise and improve aerodynamics • Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound pre- Warranty; • 3 Years / For 2016 models, new phone integration • Laminated windshield and front door mium 10-speaker audio system is standard 60,000km free service Yukon models are equipped with standard technology enhances connectivity and promotes glass to enhance quietness on Denali and available driver-alert technologies that safer driving through Yukon’s next generation • Lightweight aluminum hood and liftgate • Tri-zone automatic climate control sys- and maintenance; • 1 add layers of crash-avoidance protection, as IntelliLink system. The new technology allows panels improve efficiency tem is standard on all models year Comprehensive well as enhanced occupant protection in the smartphone users to connect with applications • Standard rear spoiler on the liftgate hides • Multicolour driver information centre is event a crash occurs. such as navigation, hands-free text messaging, the rear window wiper standard on all models – with a larger, 8-inch- Insurance; and • 1 Year For 2016, the Yukon’s Enhanced Driver Alert entertainment and news through the Intel- • Hands-free liftgate operation diagonal customizable display standard on registration. Package adds Lane Keep Assist. When acti- liLink display screen. • Illuminated, power-retractable assist Denali vated, it gently steers the vehicle back into its The 2016 Yukon line-up includes: steps available on Denali • A rear-seat entertainment system with lane when it detects the driver is inadvertently • Fold-flat second- and third-row seats that • Eighteen-inch wheels are standard on SLE Blu-Ray/DVD player, wireless headphones, leaving the lane of travel. The package also adds enhance cargo capability and convenience – and SLT, with 20- and 22-inch wheels available USB port and SD card slot is available on SLT Intellibeam headlamp technology, which auto- including an available power-folding feature • Twenty-inch wheels are standard on and Denali is compatible with “Phone Projection” capa- matically turns on and off the vehicle’s high • Easier entry/exit Denali, with 22-inch wheels available • Push-button starting is standard on SLT bility, a phone integration technology which beam headlamps according to surrounding traf- • Cargo management system that includes • New, standard capless fuel fill feature, and Denali and remote vehicle start is stand- puts iPhone features (iPhone 5 and later) on the fic conditions.