Automotive News by Jamie LaReau - Still seeking the best strategy to compete with global luxury brands, Cadillac plans to match GMW’s three-car tactic of small, medium and large.

Cadillac plans a large sedan, which will replace the DTS and STS, by the 2012 model year.

Cadillac will expand offerings of its medium-sized car, the CTS, with a coupe in mid-2010.  Finally, a baby Cadillac is expected for the 2012 model year.  A sedan, coupe and possibly a convertible would be sized close to the previous-generation BMW 3 series.

Meanwhile, Cadillacs will continue to have angular lines, but the lines will be softened as seen in the 2010 SRX.

The future of Cadillac’s full-sized trucks is fuzzy as General Motors Co. considers downsizing its models.

Here are highlights of Cadillac’s plans for the 2010-12 model years.

Small Cadillac: A small, entry-level Cadillac is expected for the 2012 model year.  The car would be developed on GM’s new global, rear-drive Alpha vehicle platform and positioned below the CTS.  A hybrid version is being considered.

CTS: The CTS added a wagon this year called the Sport Wagon.  A coupe is coming in the 2010 model year.  The next-generation CTS will be smaller and lighter, debuting in the 2013 model year or later.

DTS: Production will end in 2010 or 2011.

XTS Sedan: The 2012 XTS sedan will replace DTS and STS.  GM’s new global mid-sized, fwd vehicle architecture will be adopted for Cadillac.  That architecture is used for the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, Open Insignia and other vehicles.  The platform for the Cadillac model will be widened 2.0 inches.  GM executives determined that the interior would be too narrow to compete with the BMW 7 series or other luxury sedans.

The XTS - if the name is kept - will be approximately the same size as the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-class sedan.  All-wheel drive is expected to be optional or standard on the Cadillac; the final decision has not been made.  GM revealed a picture of the XTS at a dealer meeting.  One dealer described it as “a smaller, more efficient package.  It’ll be glamorous and good value at the same time.”

STS: Production is expected to end around 2011.

Plug-in hybrid: GM unveiled the Converj concept at the Detroit auto show in January.  It is uncertain whether the vehicle will go into production.

SRX: The redesigned 2010 SRX is smaller than the previous generation, seating five instead of seven.  Weight was reduced, and fuel economy was increased; a V-8 no longer is available.  The 2010 SRX was developed on a blend of GM’s fwd Theta and global mid-sized vehicle platforms, called Theta Premium.  The previous SRX was rwd.  A freshening is expected for the 2013 model year.

Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT: The Escalade family’s future is on hold until GM determines how the new corporate average fuel economy regulations will affect GM’s full-sized GMT900 truck program.  The current Escalade model line is likely to continue into the 2011 model year, maybe 2012.  GM’s next-generation trucks could appear in the 2013 or 2014 model year.  Which Cadillac models if any will remain on the full-sized truck architecture has not been decided.  One option under review is extending the front-wheel-drive Lambda vehicle platform to develop one or two Escalade models, possibly for the 2012 or 2013 model year.