KEY POINTS:
New Zealand will get two Cadillac models after the brand is launched in the new year.
One, a production version of the stunning CTS Coupe, won't be here until late 2009. But those keen to buy into America's best-known luxury brand are already used to waiting.
GM Premium Brands has been drawing out Cadillac's launch Downunder and recently cancelled an introduction set for later this month in Tasmania.
Rumours abounded that plans to bring the make to New Zealand and Australia had been abandoned or significantly delayed, but these were firmly scotched by the Director of GM Premium Brands, Parveen Batish, at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.
He said the long lead-up has been to build brand awareness and get the infrastructure in place.
Sixteen dealers will sell Cadillac, three of them in New Zealand - in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
The same trio also sell Hummer and Saab.
Although the brand could have been ready late this year, it was decided the new year would provide better timing.
Batish acknowledged the world financial crisis and falling sales of luxury cars were of concern, but hoped markets would be more positive by the time the car launched.
He also rejected suggestions that the Hummer H3 was introduced here at an unfortunate time of high fuel prices and environmental concern.
The small Hummer had fuel economy in keeping with many rivals, he said.
Cadillac brought the main model to the Sydney motor show, the CTS, in right-hand-drive (RHD) configuration.
It also showed the CTS Coupe Concept on which the forthcoming coupe is based.
The car was designed under the leadership of Holden's former design chief, Mike Simcoe.
Its lines are supposed to suggest those of a carefully cut diamond.
The CTS seems to have been well engineered for RHD markets with plenty of room in the driver's footwell and the controls well placed.
Undeniably American in its styling, it is nevertheless reasonably restrained with some European overtones. Pricing is to be finalised, but Batish suggested it would be considerably cheaper than European rivals.
Although available in its home market with V8 and diesel power, those coming to New Zealand will have a V6 engine, related to those used by Holden in Commodore. This direct-fuel-injection motor, which runs on regular petrol, produces 227kW and 370Nm of torque.
It sends drive to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.
