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2019 Cadillac CT6-V preorders start at $89,785

Cadillac's top-of-range sedan will start at less than $90,000, just barely. At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Cadillac announced it is opening preorders for the 2019 CT6-V, which will start at $89,785. Keeping things exclusive, Cadillac has 275 preorder slots available to the U.S. market for the CT6-V. It will briefly join the ATS-V and the CTS-V to give Caddy a trio of powerful sedans before the ATS-V and CTS-V bow out after the 2019 model year to make way for new models. Cadillac offers less powerful V-Sport variants, as well. The CT6-V, formerly the CT6 V-Sport, uses a Cadillac-exclusive powertrain. The twin-turbo 4.2-liter V8 makes a claimed 550 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. This engine is hand-built and nicknamed the "Blackwing." It is linked to a 10-speed automatic transmission, which puts power to the ground through Cadillac's all-wheel-drive system. As an added luxury perk to buying the CT6-V, Cadillac will include 2 days at the V-Performance Academy at Spring Mountain. The trip is essentially all expenses paid, with tuition and luxury accommodation part of the package. Cadillac estimates the first CT6-V models to arrive in mid-2019. Now, it was widely reported that the Detroit-Hamtramck production facility that builds the CT6 would be among those closed by GM. Cadillac President Steve Carlisle told Automotive News, however, that the company is exploring production alternatives to keep the flagship luxury sedan for sale in the United States. Apparently, it was never actually on the chopping block, and instead, officials at the time of the plant closure announcement failed to mention that CT6 production would be moved rather than cancelled. Where that new facility would be has yet to be announced, but Carlisle told Automotive News that moving production to China, where the CT6 Plug-In Hybrid is built, is "the least-preferred option." Related Video:

GM adds 1,200 jobs at Detroit-Hamtramck plant

General Motors is making a big move at its Hamtramck, MI, factory, announcing it will add a second shift and hire over 1,200 workers within the next several months. It's expected that by early 2016, the factory will employ over 2,800 workers to build the Chevrolet Volt, Impala, Malibu, Cadillac ELR, and by early next year, the new CT6. According to GM Hamtramck spokesperson Courtney Zemke, 40 of the 1,200 positions are for salaried employees, while the remainder will be hourly positions. As for where these employees will go, positions are being made available across the factory, so GM isn't focusing on any particular area for its new hires. It's a similar story behind the hiring surge itself. GM said in its press release that the "second shift is necessary to meet forecasted market demand," a position Zemke reiterated. It's a matter of demand across the plant's portfolio, rather than any one particular product seriously outstripping supply. Naturally, the United Auto Workers is happy with the move. "The workforce at Detroit-Hamtramck is second to none," UAW Local 22 Shop Chairman Don LaForest said in the attached release. "We appreciate the opportunity to expand our UAW-GM family." Hiring is going on now, with the second shift slated to get underway in early 2016. GM's Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly to Add Second Shift and More Than 1,200 Jobs Plant will nearly double its workforce by early 2016 2015-10-22 DETROIT – General Motors is nearly doubling its workforce at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly by adding a second shift and more than 1,200 hourly and salaried jobs. The addition of a second shift will increase the plant's workforce to approximately 2,800 people when hiring is completed. The second shift is necessary to meet forecasted market demand for the five cars produced at Detroit-Hamtramck. "This is the result of the award-winning vehicles Detroit-Hamtramck produces and the confidence GM has in our team to build world-class quality for our customers," said Plant Manager Gary West. Second shift hiring is underway, and the shift is scheduled to begin operations in early 2016. "The workforce at Detroit-Hamtramck is second to none," said UAW Local 22 Shop Chairman Don LaForest. "We appreciate the opportunity to expand our UAW-GM family." The 4.1 million-square-foot Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly opened in 1985. GM has invested $1 billion in the plant over the last six years, making it one of the company's most-agile manufacturing facilities in North America.

Both BMW and Audi shutter vehicle subscription programs

Both BMW and Audi are either cancelling or pausing their respective vehicle subscription programs, Automotive News reports. This is yet another blow to what was once a growing and burgeoning group of automakers introducing pay-as-you-go vehicle subscription options in a number of cities across the U.S. Both Mercedes-Benz and Ford shut down their services last year, and Cadillac turned off the tap in 2018. BMW’s program — Access by BMW — was only ever offered in the Nashville area. A BMW spokesperson explained the companyÂ’s decision making to Automotive News. "Our intent with the pilot was to learn about the viability of the subscription model and gauge customer interest. We are in the process of developing the next iteration of the program,” he said. When that next iteration will arrive is still uncertain. Audi doesnÂ’t claim that a comeback is on the way. Instead, the companyÂ’s website simply says its services are ending on January 31 this year. Audi limited its subscription service to the Texas area throughout its whole campaign. CadillacÂ’s subscription service was promised a reboot a long time ago, and today is the first time weÂ’ve heard some rumbling. ANÂ’s report claims that Cadillac is testing a rebooted version of the service in a dealer pilot now. WeÂ’ve reached out to Cadillac to see if it can provide any further details. As of today, the official Book by Cadillac website says Cadillac “will be debuting a new program in early 2020.” ItÂ’s now early 2021, so Cadillac is officially a year late on its announcement. A number of OEM-run vehicle subscription services still exist (Porsche, Volvo, Lexus, Nissan), but instead of the market expanding, itÂ’s shrinking these days. Related video: Audi BMW Cadillac Car Buying Ownership Luxury