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GM intends to offer semi-autonomous vehicles by 2020

Prepare for a few years of technological saber-rattling, as the world's automakers begin pushing to bring self-driving cars to market. Earlier this week, Nissan announced that it aims to offer autonomous vehicles by 2020, while Google, BMW and several other marks are working on similar efforts.
General Motors is doing things differently, though. Rather than push for a fully autonomous car, it's continuing to refine its semi-autonomous Super Cruise, a product that we tested in April 2012 and that will eventually see use on some Cadillacs before trickling down to the rest of the General Motors family. Super Cruise, which is undergoing testing in the Cadillac SRX, doesn't take complete control out of the driver's hands. Rather, under a very specific set of circumstances on the freeway, it will marry the capabilities of things like lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control to allow the driver to take their hands off the wheel. All of which sounds a lot like the system Mercedes-Benz is launching on the 2014 S-Class.
The system is still in development, according to John Capp, GM's director of electrical controls and active safety technology. Now that that the biggest hurdle, steering control, has been cleared, GM's engineers can focus on things like teaching the system to adapt to differing road conditions and visibility levels. As we reported in 2012, Super Cruise is still befuddled in low-visibility situations or when road markings aren't particularly clear.

Book by Cadillac is like a streaming service for cars

Cadillac is launching a subscription-based service that gives users access to most of its models for a flat fee of $1,500 a month. Called Book by Cadillac, the program starts in February in New York City and its surrounding areas. Cadillac's goal: attract users who want flexibility without the costs and commitment of ownership. The monthly fee is steep, but Cadillac argues it's competitive with the cost of leasing a well-equipped luxury car. It also includes maintenance, taxes, and insurance fees. The Book service can also be stopped at any time, which frees users from any payments. There's no restrictions on mileage, though users pay for gas either by filling up the car when they're done with it or through a Caddy concierge who bills their account. Cadillac will deliver and pick up the vehicles from the user's choice of location via a white-gloved driver. Users can change vehicles up to 18 times per year, and they can be reserved with a mobile app. The theoretical goal is a Book user could head to the airport in New York in a Cadillac and reserve another one for their use in Los Angeles. Cadillac ran a test program last year and decided to move forward with Book after receiving a positive response on the price and features. "The overwhelming result is this is something competitive," spokesman Eneuri Acosta said. The program features the Escalade, Escalade ESV, CT6, CTS-V, ATS-V, and XT5 decked-out in Platinum trim. Other vehicles, like the non-V-series ATS or CTS could be added if there's demand. Book by Cadillac starts in New York, but will expand to other unspecified markets. Related Video:

Cadillac executive appointments have global flair

Cadillac has rearranged its executive suite in order to take full advantage of its sales momentum. Don Butler is moving from his role as US VP of marketing to a newly created position with the title VP of global Cadillac strategic development. It will be his job to "drive the next phase of Cadillac growth internationally," planning strategy and developing new markets.
He will be replaced by Steve Majoros, an exec poached from Chevrolet's ad agency of record, Campbell Ewald. Majoros, who has the Chevrolet campaigns "Like a Rock" and "American Revolution" on his resume, will oversee Cadillac's US and international marketing.
Another component in the brand's renewed global focus includes conducting an ad agency review. Announced last month, Fallon Worldwide remains Cadillac's agency of record, but others, said to include Campbell Ewald, will be bidding to make the creative that helps Cadillac expand sales percentages by triple digits here and in China. Scroll down below for the official press release.