jpd80 Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 (edited) From autonews,com...LINK January 5, 2017 @ 12:04 pm John Irwin .......Members will be able to request various Cadillac models through a smartphone app for a flat rate of $1,500 per month, including registration, insurance and taxes. The requested Cadillac model will then be delivered to the user’s requested location via concierge and can be exchanged at the user’s convenience, according to a news release. “Book by Cadillac is an innovative new option targeted at a growing class of luxury drivers searching for access to various cars over time, dependent on their individual needs, coupled with a hassle-free white-glove exchange,” Uwe Ellinghaus, Cadillac chief marketing officer, said in a statement today. Book users will have access to Platinum-level XT5 midsize crossovers, CT6 sedans, Escalades and V-series performance cars. The number of vehicles available for use will be “limited at launch” but will expand over time, Acosta said. First off, $1,500/mth sounds about three times higher than a regular lease, I know there's normally a $4K payment at sign up but still... Second, This looks to be aimed at New York user who mostly use public transport but still need a secondary mode of transport. I like the idea of vehicle flexibility where users may choose different vehicles during different times of the year. i wonder if this program would succeed outside NY in other heavily populated centers, would this be something Ford would consider or rework for Lincoln? or maybe a "Platinum/Titanium " service for Ford models? Or is this GM trying anything and everything to get more traction in NY.... I assume the reason flexible renting hasn't caught on is because of the cost / risk level... Edited January 6, 2017 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 i don't see any way this will succeed. People willing to spend that much would probably just own a fleet of cars in the first place and most would probably not be Cadillacs. Another answer to a question that isn't being asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rperez817 Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Book by Cadillac is a brilliant idea in Manhattan-NYC. 1 spot in a parking garage there usually costs $400 a month and in many cases a lot more. This new program should be a nice complement to GM's Maven car sharing program. GM's doing a good job reinventing itself and becoming a leader in the transition from regular carmaker to "mobility solution" business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Book by Cadillac is a brilliant idea in Manhattan-NYC. 1 spot in a parking garage there usually costs $400 a month and in many cases a lot more. This new program should be a nice complement to GM's Maven car sharing program. GM's doing a good job reinventing itself and becoming a leader in the transition from regular carmaker to "mobility solution" business. If your going to spend that much money on a service like this, wouldn't be easier just to get Black Car service instead...and have your ass driven there? I understand ZipCar and the like...its temporary wheels for the weekend/vacation when you need them...but they don't cater to the high end set that would be normally have someone do this for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Book by Cadillac is a brilliant idea in Manhattan-NYC. 1 spot in a parking garage there usually costs $400 a month and in many cases a lot more. This new program should be a nice complement to GM's Maven car sharing program. GM's doing a good job reinventing itself and becoming a leader in the transition from regular carmaker to "mobility solution" business. I'm indifferent on this program as it is essentially Enterprise. I have rented vehicles for work purposes on a monthly basis, including SUVs. Rental car companies will negotiate prices, so it is probable you could beat this price, and they would deliver it as well. I have no issue with this program as it is nice they give you access to the V series, but it is hardly revolutionary. As for your parking reference, you will need to park this vehicle somewhere so you are still paying for it. You only get the parking discount if you are skipping months, assuming you don't loose access to your parking spot and go to the end of the waiting list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 You can buy a Caddy (or any other luxury vehicle) and park it full time for less than $1500/month. The only advantage I see is you can swap vehicles at will. How many people who can afford $1500/month only want to drive Caddys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Who will maintain and insure these cars? Where will they be parked? In NJ? CT? The post going on about "GM becoming a leader in mobility" sounds like corporate PR mumbo-jumbo. And anyone who can afford the cost will want to rent Porsches or Ferraris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Why wouldn't these prospective buyers not just lease a car for cheaper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted January 6, 2017 Author Share Posted January 6, 2017 Why wouldn't these prospective buyers not just lease a car for cheaper? Hipsters wanting to switch vehicles every other month to match their shoes and coffee? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Hipsters wanting to switch vehicles every other month to match their shoes and coffee? Hipsters would never spend that much on a car..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 fail. Costs too much, too obscure of a service to appeal to anything more than narrow sliver of the people who are paying $1500 month for cars, and this is pretty much going to be touted as a success (for a brief period) because a bunch of stuffed suits at Caddy WHQ will get it as an employment perk, and then it will be quietly killed when (basically) nobody that isn't employed by GM signs up for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 Hipsters would never spend that much on a car..... Touche... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 This is a solution in desperate need of a problem. Fact is almost everyone who can afford $18k per year for this service has this already figured out. Nobody is casting about with $18k rattling around in their jeans trying to figure out how to arrange transportation. At least it's going to be cheap for GM to offer this, because this bit of 'we're transforming mobility' silliness is right up there with that Ford program that like nobody signed up for. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 This is a solution in desperate need of a problem. Fact is almost everyone who can afford $18k per year for this service has this already figured out. Nobody is casting about with $18k rattling around in their jeans trying to figure out how to arrange transportation. At least it's going to be cheap for GM to offer this, because this bit of 'we're transforming mobility' silliness is right up there with that Ford program that like nobody signed up for. I think the reality is, people don't want to pay to share cars with other people. Why would I want to be paying for something that's "mine" when I have to coordinate with 2-3 other people to use it? The whole point of a car is to be free and go where you want when you want. Now I think this program is different than that.....honestly I don't fully understand how this program works or what it's purpose is....aside from getting to drive the top end models, what does this get you that a long term rental doesn't? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrewfanGRB Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 Who will maintain and insure these cars? Where will they be parked? In NJ? CT? The post going on about "GM becoming a leader in mobility" sounds like corporate PR mumbo-jumbo. And anyone who can afford the cost will want to rent Porsches or Ferraris. You should go back and read the very first post. It answers everything you ask in your first question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrewfanGRB Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 I think the reality is, people don't want to pay to share cars with other people. Why would I want to be paying for something that's "mine" when I have to coordinate with 2-3 other people to use it? The whole point of a car is to be free and go where you want when you want. Now I think this program is different than that.....honestly I don't fully understand how this program works or what it's purpose is....aside from getting to drive the top end models, what does this get you that a long term rental doesn't? Did you read the article? (Hints: a) You're not "sharing" the vehicle with anyone. If you never swap and just want to drive an XT5 forever, all good. b) You can flip models. Escalade for a month-long road trip and come back to a CTS-V for summer at the beach house. And so on. No insurance, registration or maintenance--which yes, I know, virtually all new luxury vehicles have now). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 The idea isn't all that bad. Costs too much for a Cadillac. The brand doesn't have enough status for $1500 a month. If it was Bentley or Aston or Rolls then you could get away with that price. Cadillac could possibly do it for $800-1000 a month. In theory it may sound ok but I doubt it will take off at that price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 The ability to swap out vehicles at any time and access to a wide array of vehicles without worrying about registration and insurance or maintenance is the only plus I can see. But I don't think people who can afford this would only want Caddies. It might work better if it was pay as you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rperez817 Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 Promo video for BOOK by Cadillac. Pricing of $1,500/mo. is reasonable. Luxury/exotic car rental places in NYC charge anywhere from $300 to $750 per day for Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, depending on day of the week. https://www.gothamdreamcars.com/exotic-car-rental/new-york/cadillac-escalade-esv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 Did you read the article? (Hints: a) You're not "sharing" the vehicle with anyone. If you never swap and just want to drive an XT5 forever, all good. b) You can flip models. Escalade for a month-long road trip and come back to a CTS-V for summer at the beach house. And so on. No insurance, registration or maintenance--which yes, I know, virtually all new luxury vehicles have now). That part of the comment was more directed at Ford's approach with the app. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 Irrelevant. This is not for people who have been, up to this point, renting cars every day and will be excited to reduce their costs by tens of thousands of dollars a year. Luxury/exotic car rental places in NYC charge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 You're not "sharing" the vehicle with anyone Yes, you are 'sharing' the vehicle. And imagine what happens when you try to get an Escalade only to be told that they've all been taken. Or is GM going to maintain a steady inventory sufficient to meet peak demand. This is what happens when you cram a bunch of people in a closet and tell them they can't come out until they figure out how to 'disrupt' transportation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blazerdude20 Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 Book by Cadillac is a brilliant idea in Manhattan-NYC. 1 spot in a parking garage there usually costs $400 a month and in many cases a lot more. This new program should be a nice complement to GM's Maven car sharing program. GM's doing a good job reinventing itself and becoming a leader in the transition from regular carmaker to "mobility solution" business. The service doesn't include gas nor parking. So you'll still have to pay to park the beast. So $2k a month to drive a Cadillac plus to park elsewhere besides just your home/job. I'd imagine a lot of people, even with money, would prefer to just take a taxi or have a towncar service drive them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted January 8, 2017 Author Share Posted January 8, 2017 (edited) It's flexible leasing with the on road costs and down payment built in as an additional $500 or $600 a monthso people that want to lease with this added flexibility are paying the price to do so over and over.... Edited January 8, 2017 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomcat68 Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 Yes, you are 'sharing' the vehicle. And imagine what happens when you try to get an Escalade only to be told that they've all been taken. Or is GM going to maintain a steady inventory sufficient to meet peak demand. This is what happens when you cram a bunch of people in a closet and tell them they can't come out until they figure out how to 'disrupt' transportation. I think it will just give them an excuse to continue overbuilding cars. They will have to enter the used car market sometime and drop values for those that bought them new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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