Cadillac ATS may see Australia

The Koreans starred, the Japanese mounted a comeback, and One Ford hit the headlines with an extended family of Focus-based newcomers that it is certain to make a big hit in Australia. But it was one car and the commitment of its company chief that made the most impact as America fought back on the opening day of the 2011 North American International Motor Show.

The ATS is a rear-wheel drive rival for the BMW 3 Series and its mechanical package will also be morphed into the next Chevrolet Camaro, ending the muscle car's Commodore connection. 

The possibility of significant Australian sales for the car, particularly with strength of the Australian dollar since the global  financial crisis, has Holden executives thinking again about the potential of Cadillac down under.

They are also buoyed by the decision to make the ATS available with right-hand drive, as well as a diesel engine, even though its development has been focussed on the USA. 

"There is no indication of a plan to bring Cadillac to Australia but, obviously, having the ability for right-hand drive and options like a diesel powertrain would make it a great car for Australia," the spokesperson for GM Holden, Emily Perry, tells Carsguide.

"It's possible, but far from decided. There are other priority markets to look at. It's a global brand, but the focus is regional." 

Holden came close to adding Cadillac to its local lineup in 2008, when it planned a premium division which would have tied it to Saab and Hummer. 

But the global financial crisis killed the plan dead, as Holden focussed on survival when General Motors slipped into bankruptcy. 

"We had a choice - cut people or kill Cadillac. I was not going to cut people," former chairman of GM Holden, Mark Reuss, tells Carsguide. 

The ATS is a good looking car with a rear-wheel drive chassis that's been tuned at the Nurburgring, and it's already a hit with one Australian - Mike Simcoe, the executive director of design for General Motors International Operations, based in Melbourne.

"It would work well in Australia. What the GM network needs is some luxury products. You could top and tail the brand with Cadillac," Simcoe tells Carsguide.