Carey International Chooses Cadillac XTS As Its Cornerstone Vehicle

DETROIT — Cadillac recently closed a deal with Carey International for the purchase of 150 new Cadillac XTS livery sedans, further promoting the XTS as a new-generation flagship vehicle for the chauffeured transportation industry.

The estimated value of the deal is about $6 million, which includes privately negotiated bulk discounts, according to Cadillac.

Carey International, based near Washington, D.C., becomes the second of the four major U.S.-based chauffeured transportation networks to buy the Cadillac XTS as a core workhorse chauffeured vehicle model. Boston Coach has tried out the XTS sedans and plans to purchase more. Dav El Chauffeured Transportation Network, which has operated mostly Cadillac vehicles for many years, is strongly considering the XTS as the successor to its DTS sedans. The fourth company, Empire CLS Worldwide Chauffeured Services, also the largest chauffeured transportation company in the world, adopted the Lincoln MKT Town Car as its flagship last summer but is also reported to be close to a deal on buying Cadillac XTS sedans.

Since its launch at the 2012 International LCT Show in Las Vegas, the XTS sedan has captured a wider following among operators than its predecessor, the Cadillac DTS, because of its competitive pricing, advanced technology and sleek sedan styling.  
 
“In determining what vehicle would best compliment and represent Carey’s established brand premium as well as satisfy the evolving needs and expectations of today’s client, we conducted extensive research on 24 vehicles,” said Gary Kessler, president and CEO of Carey International, in a statement. “Our customers wanted approachable luxury and enabling technology.  We chose the XTS as the cornerstone of the Carey brand because it represented the perfect combination of power, luxury, technology and sophistication that our customers desire and demand today. In the end, the decision to go with the XTS was a no brainer.”

Carey International, founded in 1921, has locations in more than 550 cities and 60 countries. Carey establishes company standards that ensure clients experience the same service and personalized attention throughout their travel network.

“XTS represents a new approach to luxury, centered on advanced technology and design,” said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing. “This same approach extends to Professional Vehicles, where we are bringing a new formula to the livery customer.”

The XTS is a completely redesigned and technologically upgraded successor to the Cadillac DTS sedan. Its signature CUE driver interface comes standard on the livery sedan, providing unmatched levels of customized in-vehicle connectivity and control. The sedans bought by Carey are the W20 livery model. The company takes delivery of the vehicles incrementally as Carey franchises place orders for them to replace older vehicles, according to Cadillac.

The limousine industry-tailored design features on the XTS include: 37.8 inches of headroom, 56.3 inches of shoulder room, and 54.3 inches of hip room. The XTS has 18 cubic feet of cargo space — large enough to carry five full-size pieces of luggage or four golf bags. The XTS has a FWD 3.6L V6 engine and 6-speed transmission.

All Cadillac Professional Vehicles are backed by the comprehensive Professional Vehicle Protection Plan (PVPP), GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty and the Cadillac Premium Care Maintenance Plan.

Information: Cadillac Professional Vehicle line up: www.gmfleet.com.

Sources: Cadillac Professional Vehicles, GM Fleet; Martin Romjue, LCT editor