Cadillac Cars and Autos

The Cadillac motor car company
This section provides access to the cars and autos manufactured under the name of the Cadillac motor car company. An online guide for auto enthusiasts covering old and new cars and autos. If you like car talk then you will love this website! A free, online resource with facts and company information about the cars and autos made by the Cadillac motor car company.

What is mission statement of Cadillac?
The mission statement or vision of Cadillac is:

"Cadillac will lead the luxury segment by offering must-have products,

 that are professionally marketed, and delivered through

 a premium retail channel obsessed with customer satisfaction and sales/service."

Founding of the Cadillac motor car company
When Henry Ford's company was dissolved due to Henry Ford leaving with several key partners, Cadillac was formed from the remnants. Ford's financial bankers William Murphy and Lemuel Bowen wanted the plant and equipment appraised so called in engineer Henry M. Leland of the Leland & Faulconer Manufacturing company prior to selling. Instead, using Leland's proven single cylinder engine they persuaded the company in to continuing automobile construction. As Henry Ford had left the company a new company name was required so on the 22nd of August 1902 the company was reformed as the Cadillac Automobile Company. In 1905 Leland & Faulconer Manufacturing and the Cadillac Automobile Company were merged.

History of Cadillac motor car company
In October 1902 the first Cadillac car was completed, the 10hp Cadillac, it was almost identical to the existing Ford Model A. The New York Auto Show in January featured the new Cadillac, over 2 thousand firm orders were placed, the Cadillac was such a success due to its precision manufacturing and a reliability record better than it's competitors. In 1908 Cadillac won the Dewar Trophy in the United Kingdom for being the most important advancement of the year in the international automobile industry.

In 1909 General Motors purchased Cadillac and used the name for there prestige division which was devoted to building very large luxury vehicles.

IN July 1917 the United States Army choose the Cadillac Type 55 Touring model as their staff car after much testing on the Mexican border, the Type 55 was supplied for the use by officers in France for American Expeditions during World War I. Cadillac's Pre World War II cars were aimed at the upper class market being well built powerful mass produced luxury cars. Cadillac's range grew in the 1930's with cars being built with V12 and V16 engines, on custom coach built bodies. The Cadillac's engines were remarkable for their time by being both quiet and smooth whilst delivering high power. In 1926 stylist Harley Earl was recruited by Cadillac and headed the new Art and Colour section and in 1927 designed a new smaller companion car to the Cadillac called the La Salle which remand in production until 1940.

The Great Depression of 1932 saw Cadillac suffer record low sales and also charges of discrimination against black customers, in response Alfred Sloan put together a committee to decide whether to discontinue the production of the Cadillac. Cadillac president Nicholas Dreystadt herd that legendary boxer Joe Louis had had to resort to using a white friend to purchase his Cadillac as he was refused entry into a Cadillac dealership because of his color. To increase sales Nicholas Dreystadt gave a ten minute long speech to the GM board of directors to advocate advertising to black customers and end racial predudice, he gave the GM board members 18 months to produce significant results. By being part of GM Cadillac survived the Great depression and afterwards sales rose tenfold compared to 1934.

In 1934 Henry F Phillips helped bring about a revolution in assembly line technology due to his invention, the Screw and Driver. Henry F Phillips convinced Cadillac that his screw and driver would speed up assembly time and consequently increase profits. The technology was widely used after that, with Cadillac being the first to use such technology. In 1941 the same basic drive train and engine was built and used in all the cars for the first time in years.

Cadillac incorporated General Motors Styling from Harley J, Earl such as innovative styling features to become synonymous with the classic American automobile. This styling included tailfins and wraparound windshields. Motor Trend magazine awarded its first Car of the Year award to Cadillac in 1949 witch the company turned down. In 1949 on the 25th November the 1950 Coupe de Ville was Cadillac's one millionth car built. Cadillac set a record of building 100,000 cars in a year that they repeated this performance again in 1950 and 1951. Cadillac's first tailfin cars appeared in 1948 inspired by twin rudders on the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. The most recognizable tailfins were on the 1959 Cadillac. Cadillac's front bumpers were distinctive in design and became known as Dagmar bumpers or simply Dagmars. The Cadillac front bumper started as a war artillery shell shaped bumper guard and was to become an important design icon for Cadillac.

The company experienced record sales in 1973 and again in the late 70's, but despite these sales, during the 1980's Cadillac suffered from the malaise that set in. What also affected the company was a failure to react to new government mandates on emissions, fuel economy and safety. During this time the only real high point for Cadillac was the launch of there front wheel drive Eldorado in 1967.

The following company information and history timeline details the dates of major events which influenced the growth of the business.

What models and types of cars and automobiles does the Cadillac motor car company produce?
The models and types of cars and automobiles produced by the company include those detailed on the following list. Whether you enjoy comparing cars and autos, want to conduct some research before you buy a new car or a used car or finally an automobile enthusiast who loves fast, cool, new, old, vintage, classic, antique, sports, top, muscle or exotic cars we have the info you are searching for! Select the automobile you are interested in and click the link for access to an online overview of this Cadillac vehicle with car guides, online facts, information, statistics, specs, specifications, design details and ratings of cars and autos.