Cadillac Addresses Flaws With Escalade’s Security Features

Better late than never I guess?

It’s fairly well known that GM’s full-size SUV’s are pretty easy to steal, specifically the Escalade as it consistently gets the unhonourable accolade of ‘most stolen vehicle’, except for this year that is. But regardless it’s consistently in the top ten most stolen.

For some reason it took GM this long to actually address the issues that make it so easy to steal an Escalade in the first place, namely making a steering column lock that actually works, an alarm system that actually comes on when when the windows get smashed, wheel locks and and encrypted key. But these new features are now standard on all Escalades which is a step in the right direction. So what if you own a Tahoe or Yukon which are equally is easy to steal? Better ensure you have great insurance coverage because GM hasn’t addressed those vehicles. Yet. Hopefully they will soon.

At least now it will take thieves longer than 14 seconds to steal an your Escalade if you’re an owner.

[General Motors]

Another Pointless Car Comparison

Here we go again.

Remember when GM compared a Chevy Cruze to a previous generation Hyundai Elantra as if it was some sort of accomplishment that their new product was better than someone else’s old product? Remember when Audi did the exact same thing with their new A8 and the aging S-Class? Remember when Hennesey compared their heavily modded CTS-V to a non-modded preivous generation Porsche 911 and a non-modded Nissan GT-R?  Well apparently the apples to oranges comparisons in the auto industry isn’t going to stop any time soon as GM decided to to pit the Cadillac Escalade against… wait for it… the Mercedes-Benz C300.

GM decided to ‘prove a new standard’ by showcasing that their full-size SUV could beat the Benz in a drag race. And that’s it.

Now, again, here’s my problem with these sorts of comparisons. If you’re the type of person who wants or feels as if you need a full-size SUV then the C-class isn’t going to be found anywhere on your shopping list. So what’s the point? And vice versa, it’s not as if any C-class shoppers are going to spring for a full-size SUV just because GM proved it to be  faster in a straight line. By the way, GM conveniently left out the part when both vehicles  approached a bend in the track, didn’t they? I guess they didn’t want anyone to see the C300 absolutely slaughter the Escalade in the handling department.

And on top of it all, GM really didn’t play fair by choosing the 228 horsepower V6 trim level of the C-class against the 403 horsepower V8 of the Escalade. Why not see how the Escalade does against the 457 horsepower C-63 AMG then? Or better yet, to make it even more fair how by pitting it against the Escalades actual competition like, say, the Mercedes-Benz GL?

Honestly these kinds of nonsensical comparisons do nothing more than proof that you, as an auto company, are willing to stoop to new lows just to sell product when really, the product should be selling itself.

Click the video above to see one of the most ridiculous drag races of the year.

[Youtube]

How to Steal a Cadillac Escalade in 14 Seconds

Recently, the Highway Data Loss Institute released its list of the top 10 and least 10 stolen vehicles for this year and the Cadillac Escalade got the undesirable distinction of most stolen vehicle (the Volvo S80 was the least stolen, by the way).

Well an investigative report has been released which now looks closer at why and how Escalades are such an easy target for car theives. And their findings show that it’s not just the Escalade which is easy to steal, all full-size SUV’s from GM have the same problem. As such, insuring a full-size GM SUV will cost you an arm and a leg and your genitals. To give you an idea, on average, most insurance companies spend about $146 per year per vehicle for teft claims. But for the Escalade, the average is a whopping $11,934 per theft claim. If you are stupid enough to like an Escalade enough to buy one, then I’m glad the permiums are so high because you get what you deserve.

So, how do theives do it? Well, apparently it’s extraordinarily easy to break the metal pin that locks the steering column in place while in park. One good yank of the column-mounted gear shift, and voila. Once that’s done, the lack of a steering wheel lock enables the thief to move the steering wheel when the vehicle isn’t even turned on. And if that weren’t enough, the alarm system apparently does not go off when the window is smashed in. Well done, GM. Well done.

So once all of that is completed you can then maneouver the Escalde onto a flatbed or hook it up to a tow truck and away you go. Or, you can push the Escalade into a more dark and deserted area while you strip the Escalade for costly parts.

So now that you know how to do it, uhhh, don’t.

[WXYZ Action News]

Another Reason To Hate it: Escalade Top Pick For Thieves

Isn’t it just the best when people get what they have coming to them?

Well the likeliness of that ringing true has just increased for Cadillac Escalade owners because the Highway Data Loss Institute has just released its list of vehicles with the highest and lowest insurance claims or thefts. You guessed it, the Cadillac Escalade took top honours for most stolen. Another reason to hate it!

But wait, you must be asking yourself “how can the Escalade be such a hot item for thieves? What about GM’s infamous Onstar?” Well, car thieves are quite crafty these days. All they do is take a flat bed truck, and load it on. By the time the douchebag owner realizes that their sweet ride has been stolen, the thieves have already deactivated the Onstar system which means the Escalade is now untrackable.

Which car is least likely to be stolen? Somewhat unsurprisingly, the Volvo S80. While that may be good news for S80 owners, wouldn’t that make them wonder why no one even wants to steal their car? Just sayin’.

Hit the jump to see the rest of the top 10 highest stolen and least stolen vehicles. Is your car on the list?

[Highway Data Loss Institute]

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