Art of Gears
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Pour One Out for the End of the Cadillac ATS Sedan

By Billy Ho

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 28: The 2019 Cadillac CT6 V-Sport is displayed at the New York International Auto Show, March 28, 2018 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. SUVs and crossovers are expected to capture most of the attention at this year's show. Despite car sales declining for the first time in seven years in 2017, SUVs and crossovers remain a bright spot in the auto industry. The auto show opens to the public on March 30 and will run through April 8. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 28: The 2019 Cadillac CT6 V-Sport is displayed at the New York International Auto Show, March 28, 2018 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. SUVs and crossovers are expected to capture most of the attention at this year's show. Despite car sales declining for the first time in seven years in 2017, SUVs and crossovers remain a bright spot in the auto industry. The auto show opens to the public on March 30 and will run through April 8. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) /
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The death knell for compact and mid-sized sedans continues as Cadillac calls an end to the ATS.

The Cadillac ATS, once the answer for your upper-class compact sedan buyer who wanted to buy American, will soon meet its untimely end. Cadillac has announced that the 2018 and 2019 models will be last for the ATS sedan and coupe. It’s a shame because, like the CTS, the ATS will always be a really good-looking car, especially in their V performance guise.

The announcement comes with a silver lining however, as Cadillac says while the ATS, CTS and XTS will end, two new cars will replace them. The first of those likely being called the CT5. A Cadillac spokesman has said:

"“This year will bring forth significant changes to our product portfolio, most notably with the introduction of the all-new XT4 SUV as well as concluding the successful life cycle of the ATS sedan in North America. Production of the ATS sedan is ending due to extensive plant upgrades, expansion and re-tooling to prepare for the next generation of Cadillac sedans.”"

These are the latest changes coming from GM’s luxury arm. Just last month, Cadillac announced the departure of President Johan de Nysschen. No surprise that the ATS was part of de Nysschen’s overhaul of the brand. After all, his agenda included plans to reconfigure the brand’s vehicle profile.

Time will tell how well received the replacements will be. Cadillac have recently announced upgrades to their large CT6 in a form a new engine. The CT6 will remain as the brand’s largest sedan, while the CT5 will likely take the place of the ATS and CTS (following in their footsteps, or shall we say wheels?). One can hope that the ATS and CTS will die for a good cause – new, high performance sedans of all sizes.

Out with the old

The culling of sedans from brand lineups has become a common practice lately, most notably at rival Ford. Their non-truck/SUV lineup will soon be left at just two.

With buyers continuing their preference for crossovers and SUVs, it’s either a sad time to be a sedan lover, or a great time to buy one. You make the call.

Next: Cadillac CT6 V-Sport gets new twin-turbo V8

See Kelley Blue Book’s review of the Cadillac ATS sedan below to refresh your memory.

How about a new Cadillac ATS-V? Let us know your opinions on the death of the ATS in the comment section below.

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