2013 Cadillac XTS Among Test Vehicles At GM Product Preview

Jeffrey Shanker of A-1 Limousine prepares to test drive the new Cadillac XTS luxury sedan. Look for his and other operators' feedback on the XTS in the upcoming June/July issue of LCT Magazine.

TUCSON, Ariz. — Last week, transportation company executives, fleet managers, dealers and select members of the automotive press converged on the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Ariz., for the 2013 GM Product Preview. The resort, a desert oasis surrounded by cactus-armored hills, hosted three days and two nights of cocktail receptions, business meetings and vehicle test drives.

Ed Peper, vice president of GM Fleet and Commercial Operations, said the three brand pillars are great products, innovative business solutions, and exceptional customer experience. Executives from the various GM brands, including Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing, spoke to a full audience about new vehicles, technology, design, and GM’s commitment to customer service.

Since words could only do so much to convey the quality of GM’s products, the automaker hosted a “Ride & Drive” event where conference attendees could hop in almost any GM vehicle and take it for a spin on the highway. While several models of the mid-size Cadillac CTS sedan and Escalade SUV were available for testing, the new 2013 Cadillac XTS was only available by invitation only and was not out at the main test drive area.

Taking the new Cadillac XTS sedan for a spin.

LCT associate editor Michael Campos, along with Bob Levine of New Haven, Conn.-based Hy’s Worldwide Transportation, Jeffrey Shanker of Princeton, N.J.’s A-1 Limousine, and Doug Werdebaugh of Carey International, were among those who test drove the new 2013 Cadillac XTS. Read about the experience from the points of view of a chauffeur and passenger, along with comments from the aforementioned operators, in the upcoming June/July issue of LCT Magazine.

The 2013 Cadillac XTS W20 livery sedan goes into production in the first week of June and is expected in dealerships a few weeks later. All information about the XTS livery sedan will be available on June 1 at http://www.cadillac.com/professional-vehicles.html.

— Michael Campos, LCT associate editor