Initial risk
The myth of Cadillac began in the New England factory where its founder Henry Martin Leland worked during the American Civil War. After moving to Detroit, Leland began to manufacture automobile castings, forgings, engines and chassis parts. Later, Cadillac Motor Company named after Antoine de la Norse, the founder of Detroit, was established.
Just a few months later, the original model A Cadillac appeared at the new york Auto Show 1903 in June. At the time of the initial success of Model A, Model D handlebar launched by 1905 took Cadillac to a higher level. The car uses a 4-cylinder engine and a 5-seat aluminum exterior wooden body. 1908, three Cadillac cars won awards every year for their great progress in the automobile industry. Prior to this, all auto parts were assembled and adjusted by hand, and there was no interchangeability. For the first time, Cadillac became a vehicle with interchangeable parts-three cars were completely disassembled, and the parts were rearranged and assembled together, and finally won the prize in the 500-mile test.
As a major milestone, 1908 GM intends to acquire Cadillac. 1909 On July 29th, GM finally acquired Cadillac for $5,969,200. William C. Durant, President of General Motors, continued to appoint Leland Management Company. Cadillac began to produce cars that showed their identity to richer people like movie stars, and Cadillac began its growth. 19 12 Cadillac has an electric starter, which makes the vehicles easier to drive without shaking the crankshaft to start them. Cadillac proudly won the second prize of electronic ignition system.
The pursuit of technology and fashion
Cadillac 1922 has produced more than 20,000 vehicles. Part of the sales success comes from the standard wiper and rearview mirror equipped on the 6 1 car. 1927, the first department with distinctive style in the field of automobile manufacturing-General Motors Art and Color Department was established, marking the beginning of a new era of automobile design. Since then, Cadillac models have become fashionable and elegant. 1927 The smaller and more fashionable La Salle is a sports car, which is very easy to operate, much like the modern Cadillac Catera. The original bank provided 1 1 body style, wheelbase 125 inch, and even designed a place to put golf bags. Another innovation of Cadillac is the birth of the first synchronous meshing transmission system in 1929. So that the driver does not need to use a two-foot clutch to avoid gear friction, which greatly reduces the "labor intensity" of the driver.
Cadillac in 1930s showed the exquisiteness and luxury of traditional American flavor. With the launch of V 12 and V 16 engines, Cadillac has demonstrated its outstanding performance in the engineering field. The strong power of V 16 engine makes Cadillac an exciting product. This engine can also be equipped with vacuum assisted braking to provide first-class service for drivers. During the period of 10, Cadillac continued to act as a pioneer in science and technology. 1932 Cadillac started production on the automatic production line. 1933, the first experimental Cadillac with front independent suspension appeared. Suspension system became the standard equipment of general motors in 1934.
The haze of war and the sustainable development after the war
Cadillac model year 194 1 shows excellent performance and comfortable environment everywhere. They introduced the air conditioning mechanism and fuel tank hidden under the left taillight for the first time. Because of the war,1February 1942, Cadillac stopped the production of its civilian cars and turned to military production. Within 55 days, tanks with two Cadillac V8 engines were driven out of the Detroit factory. Other war products they produce include engine parts of V 12 Allison aircraft, M-8 howitzers and 1944 M-24 light tanks. Even General MacArthur's chariot uses Cadillac 75 series.
After the war, Cadillac was able to provide the world with higher standards of products again. 1949, Cadillac launched a modern V8 engine with high compression ratio and portability. This engine has the characteristics of smaller size, lighter weight and higher combustion efficiency, making Cadillac the fastest and most magnificent model in the United States. In the 1950s, some classic Cadillac cars rolled off the assembly line. 1950 In June, the famous Fortune magazine conducted a survey among its readers. The topic is: What kind of car will you buy? Cadillac occupied the forefront of the survey and became the most valuable brand in luxury cars. Cadillac 1952 celebrated its 50th anniversary with a series of gold models. As the standard equipment of vehicles, the power steering device has also been officially launched. 1953, Cadillac introduced El dorado as its first postwar version. This is a great car with special equipment including leather interior, chrome wheels and radio. El dorado cost $7,750, which was sky-high at that time, but it was also a very worthwhile investment. Can great works of art be measured by money? 1954 the design of El dorado's front bumper is named after a TV star. In addition, four electric seats were introduced that year. 1957 Eldorado reflects the real Cadillac style. This car uses new headlights and a four-door design without columns. Standard equipment includes low tires, automatic luggage opening and closing, pneumatic suspension, air conditioning and personal belongings storage room including a small bottle of perfume, and adopts a brushed steel roof. That El dorado will make people have the impulse of love at first sight. 1959 Cadillac is the last version of the design principle of jet engine aircraft. This makes it very memorable, and the US Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp at 1996.
Challenge the limits of technology and art
Cadillac produced its 3 millionth car in 1964. During this period, the development of automobile technology benefited from some important discoveries in engineering. During the period of 1962, Cadillac introduced two safety innovations: cornering lights and double-tube braking. Automatic climate control technology appeared in 1964. As a choice device in cold weather, the popular electric heating seat first appeared on 1966. 1967, Cadillac introduced a completely redesigned front-wheel drive Eldorado with a brand-new chassis. 1968, a higher-level El dorado installed an engine with a displacement of 472 cubic inches. 1970, a V8 engine with a displacement of 500 cubic inches was introduced again. Readers of a magazine rated Cadillac as the most comfortable and controllable vehicle among 65,438+00 luxury cars in Germany, Britain and the United States.
Passenger safety and environmental protection were the innovation emphases of Cadillac in 1970s. Although Cadillac is luxurious, fuel economy is always a priority. The design of the engine has higher combustion efficiency and ultra-low emissions. In 197 1 year, in order to reduce emissions, the engine was designed to use the same specifications of fuel. By 1975, automobiles are designed to use specific fuel and emission catalytic converters. 1972, the 70th anniversary of Cadillac, many fashionable models were grandly launched. An energy-absorbing bumper appeared on Cadillac of 1973. The driver and the front seat airbag also appeared. 1June, 973, the 5 millionth Cadillac rolled off the assembly line. At this time, Cadillac's annual output has reached 300,000 units. Seville, a brand-new international standard, was launched in May, 1975. The car has compact structure, spacious interior space, excellent fuel economy and easy operation, and electronic fuel injection is its standard. Just as the United States celebrated its 200th birthday, Cadillac also launched its bicentennial model Eldorado. This one is based on white and decorated with red and blue. 1979 Eldorado has features that other models don't have, including V8 engine front-wheel drive, four-wheel independent suspension and electronic fuel injection. While reducing the length of the car body, it provides more spacious space for the front and rear seats and makes the luggage more versatile.
The new Seville 1980 has an extremely distinctive shape, which is different from any other American car, and it adopts the same front-wheel drive chassis as El dorado * * * * for the first time. At this time, the American economy is booming, and the sales of luxury cars are soaring. 1984 sales reached 3200 17. In addition, the 1987 Allante luxury coupe is original in many aspects. Its body was designed by Pininfarina Company in Turin, Italy. It was airlifted to Detroit by Boeing 747 to assemble its chassis and power transmission. I'm afraid this is the longest assembly line in the world, 3300 miles long. Innovations in this front-wheel drive sports car include traction control and Polaris engine. In the late 1980s, Cadillac also introduced many innovative styles such as 1989 DeVille and Fleetwood. 1989 fleetwood represents the overall style of Cadillac.
Golden decade
In 1990s, Cadillac was once again regarded as leading the world trend of product quality, and won the Banrich Award with 1990. Cadillac was the first automobile manufacturer to win the Banridge Prize, and the first to keep this honor forever in 1997. 1992, the newly designed El dorado and Seville were welcomed all over the world. Seville also won many awards. A year later, Cadillac's Polaris system took automobile engine technology to a higher level. Polaris system, with its powerful power and advanced technology with artistic expression, allows Cadillac drivers to fully experience what is efficiency, power, control and safety. 1993, fleetwood was redesigned to keep the tradition of Cadillac. 1996, the power output of Polaris engine reached 300 HP in DeVille sports car, Eldorado station wagon and Seville STS. In the new product year of 1997, Cadillac added the safety technology of stability control to the above three models. In addition, Cadillac redesigned DeVille to provide more comfortable, luxurious and comfortable equipment. All DeVille are equipped with side airbags. Catera, another luxury car of Cadillac, was also launched at this time. Throughout the 20th century, this innovative car company proudly maintained their tradition and brought safety, artistic and technological innovation to the world through each new car.
Some people say that the car is the product of the combination of high technology and art, which is why it is not as boring as a textbook and has a large number of fans all over the world. Just as young people in China are proud of owning a "big name" as a wedding car when they get married, they are actually enjoying the aristocratic temperament unique to "big name" (although they may not know it), and this temperament comes entirely from Cadillac's profound century-old accumulation. The theory of automobile culture may refer to the origin behind every automobile brand, just like the history of Cadillac, which is a witness to the development of science and technology and art. In the new millennium, Cadillac still maintains its traditional concept. Both the north american auto show at the beginning of the year and the Geneva Motor Show in the spring show the combination of cutting-edge technology and its artistic ideas. Therefore, we may have reason to believe that Cadillac will go further with its unique noble temperament.