Cadillac

Founded more than a 100 years ago in Detroit, Cadillac has stood for uncompromising performance, daring design and groundbreaking technology. From developing the world's first electric self-starting engine and pioneering the integration of computer technology into vehicles, to being the first to offer drivers a color other than black and creating the fastest family of production cars with the CTS-V Series, it's all a part of our history. Learn more about this iconic American brand and how it has shaped — and continues to define — the automotive industry.

Cadillac has sought to differentiate itself by focusing on luxury and high manufacturing standards. One early accomplishment in this quest was the creation of the first car comprised of truly interchangeable parts. Until Cadillac introduced a precision manufacturing process, cars were individually handcrafted. This allowed for variations in dimensions that would prevent many parts from being interchangeable.

To demonstrate how precisely Cadillacs were built, three cars were disassembled and had their 721 individual parts thrown into one large disorderly pile. Eighty-nine crucial parts were then removed and replaced with fresh parts from the factory. Using only wrenches and screwdrivers, the three cars were reassembled and then driven 500 miles demonstrating just how precise the Cadillac manufacturing process was.

After being purchased by General Motors in 1909, Cadillac was also the first manufacturer to: offer a fully enclosed cab as factory equipment; introduce an electric starter as standard equipment; and control engine cooling temperature through the use of a thermostat. In 1948 Cadillac produced the first car with tailfins, a styling cue that would be adapted by most other manufacturers for the next decade.

As the base platform for many presidential limousines, and favored car of Elvis Presley among other celebrities, Cadillac became the benchmark for letting the world know "you made it." Favorite models for announcing your success included the Eldorado, Seville and Fleetwood Brougham as well as the Coupe de Ville. Cadillac continued to enjoy its status as the definition of luxury through the early 1970s, but by the 1980s, Cadillac would begin to be thought of as "grandpa's car."

As GM reworked its premium luxury brand to make it hip again, the company obtained the rights to play Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll" in its commercials and began doing away with the classic but aging names that were associated with octogenarians. After 2005, the Escalade SUV was the only model still sporting a name instead of a three letter moniker; the Fleetwood was the last passenger car to carry an actual name. The latest generation of Cadillacs is made up once again of world-class performance and luxury cars. The Cadillac STS, CTS, CTS-V and CTS Coupe all sport edgy styling and high performance that make them attractive to younger buyers who are ready to announce that they've made it as well.

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