Cadillac will kill ATS sedan after 2018 model year

Last Updated: May 15, 2018By Mary J.Tags: 2018, ATS, Auto moto news, Auto Moto World, Automotonews, Automotoworld, Cadillac, Sedan, Vehicle

General Motors will discontinue the Cadillac ATS sedan after the 2018 model year, just six years after introducing the small car as a worthy rival to the strongest German competitors. A Cadillac spokesman said the luxury brand plans to replace the compact ATS, midsize CTS and large XTS sedans with two new sedans, though it’s unclear when the new models will be launched.

Beginning with the all-new XT4 compact crossover that goes on sale this fall. Cadillac says it plans to launch a new model every six months through the end of 2021. The Cadillac XT6, a new three-row crossover, is expected to be the next Cadillac launched after the XT4.Cadillac touted the ATS like BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Mark Reuss said the ATS was Cadillac’s first small car since the Cimarron, an infamous failure of the 1980s.”Production of the ATS sedan is ending due to extensive plant upgrades, expansion and re-tooling to prepare for the next generation of Cadillac sedans,” said Donny Nordlicht. “Cadillac’s future sedan portfolio will consist of three sedans, positioned in different segments and clearly differentiated by size and price.”

The CT6 will remain Cadillac’s flagship sedan and is playing the lead role as a new technology platform for Cadillac, beginning with the introduction of Super Cruise semiautonomous technology on the 2018 CT6.

Sales jumped 7.4 percent this year

U.S. sales of the ATS sedan and coupe slumped 39 percent in 2017 to 13,100 units. Cadillac had been using the ATS as a volume play for dealers this year. It did need to worry about their residual values. Incentive spend on the car was more than $10,000 through April — up $2,850 from the same time a year ago.