Cadillac Cimarron
Today, almost all luxury brands have downsized their lineup of models, offering more affordable and compact versions of their sedans. But back in the early ’80s, this move was something still unheard of and hard to understand. In those days, Cadillac had somewhat of an identity crisis and sought for a way to reinvent itself and fight foreign competitors (via Car and Driver).
After lengthy meetings with product development managers, it was decided to introduce a small Cadillac at a lower price to attract more customers. The problem was that Cadillac needed a bigger platform, so they turned to Chevrolet and borrowed the modest Cavalier chassis. Although Cadillac dressed the Cavalier with unique trim, new colors, and a new name, it wasn’t enough. Sales were poor and Cadillac was under fire from brand loyalists for ruining their image. All over the industry, Cimarron was a laughingstock. To this day, it remains one of the worst examples of downsizing ever.