2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon
The 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon features twice the cargo room of the sedan.

In an economy where consumers are much more likely to save than splurge, and steeped in an ever-deepening Detroit-Three financial crisis, how does luxury-brand Cadillac plan to survive? According to Cadillac's North American Vice President, Mark McNabb, with one eye on current consumers' shifting priorities and the other on the innovation and design that will draw future shoppers to the brand.

Though GM has stated that it is shelving some future products, delaying others, and looking to offload a few troubled brands, Cadillac's future is far from in jeopardy and GM's luxury arm continues to grow.

According to McNabb, the brand's strategy is to be well positioned when consumers recover from this economic recession. He hopes fresh products in new segments and updated engines and technological features will widen Cadillac's appeal.

2010 Cadillac CTS coupe
The coupe will be the third CTS body style when it joins the rest of the family. 

Keeping an eye on current consumer priorities, Cadillac debuted the Escalade Hybrid for model-year 2009. The brand's first hybrid delivers around 20 mpg with GM's two-mode hybrid technology--allowing it to run on electric power, gas, or a combination of the two. The Converj Concept unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show furthers Cadillac's study of green luxury, with the added twist of evocative, sporty styling.

A key component of the brand's product future revolves around CTS, Cadillac's popular, redesigned-for-2008 premium midsize sedan. According to McNabb, CTS has nearly single-handedly lifted the public's opinion of Cadillac. Later this year, Cadillac will introduce wireless Internet connectivity in the sedan. Cadillac WiFi by Autonet Mobile will be available in April on Sport-trimmed CTS sedan models and will allow users to access the Internet via any Wi-Fi-enabled device. The dealer-installed option costs $499 plus a monthly subscription fee of $29.

"Adding WiFi is a natural extension of the tech features already inside the CTS, such as 40 gigabyte hard drive with USB port, a pop-up navigation system featuring real-time traffic and weather forecasts and the exclusive ability to pause and rewind live radio," McNabb said.

Expanding on the CTS line is the new-for-2010 wagon, the brand's first attempt at this body style. CTS Sport Wagon models double the sedan's cargo space and get a new direct-injection 255-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine, which McNabb estimates is good for around 28 mpg.  Further down the road, a coupe version will round out the CTS family.

2010 Cadillac SRX
The Cadillac SRX moves from the premium midsize SUV class to the premium compact SUV segment for model-year 2010.

While the CTS wagon and coupe help expand the brand's reach in those segments, the redesigned SRX opens the door to the premium compact SUV category. The crossover is about 5 inches shorter in overall length than its predecessor and features the CTS wagon's new direct-injection 3.0-liter or a 300-horsepower 2.8-liter turbocharged V6, Cadillac's first U.S.-market turbo.

With the growth of the CTS family, the brand's expansion into new segments like the premium compact SUV class, and its exploration of alternative-fuel vehicles, McNabb and Cadillac are hoping that when consumers are again ready to pay for luxury, the Cadillac brand will offer something for everyone.

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