New European Cadillac (and Corvette) Distribitor: IFS Europe

[Vet Guru]

New European Cadillac (and Corvette) Distribitor: IFS Europe

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Confirmed: IFS Europe, located in the Netherlands, will be the new Cadillac distributor for Europe. Production of euro-models at Lansing was initially planned for January, but moved to February. Also impacted is Corvette, who shares an official euro-import with Cadillac.
First euro-models to be produced are CTS-V and Corvette ZR1. Why? Well, these models require the least conversion to European standards. The other Cadillac and Corvette models will slowly follow.

http://www.ifseurope.eu/

IFS has been importing US cars for diplomats and for VIP conversions (limousines, streched, armoured) in the past, but will now also take over the complete distribution of Cadillac and Corvette for Europe.

[Tom74]

Why is it the Dutch again? Seems an odd country as a european hub unless it is to do with shipping ports...which it actually may be now I come to think about it.

[GW65]

Strange comment about the ZR1 coming first because it requires the least mods, with other Vettes coming later... Have things really changed so much since the '08 model year?

[Vet Guru]

That's what I thought! Maybe Kroymans have a new name? Will the dealer network stay the same??

[Bowler]

Tom74 said:

Why is it the Dutch again? Seems an odd country as a european hub unless it is to do with shipping ports...which it actually may be now I come to think about it.

My guess is that it is something to do with differing Import Duty (and/or VAT?) rates in the various EU countries. After that, the duty is paid in the EU and it's free cross border trade within the Union.

This may not apply today, but 10 years ago, it was cheaper was to import goods from Canada into Europe via the UK, than it was to import via Spain.

Like I say, only a guess..

[mitch_]

GW65 said:

Strange comment about the ZR1 coming first because it requires the least mods, with other Vettes coming later... Have things really changed so much since the '08 model year?

It is because neither of these models are built to a detailed EU specific spec. As for IFS, they have been around for a long time. They aren't a Dutch company but do have an office there. Their CEO is a personal friend of many years.

[anonymous-user]

mitch_ said:

It is because neither of these models are built to a detailed EU specific spec.

How does that work? Are they going to SVA every car?

[mitch_]

No, they are still EU homologated with COC's. It's complicated but they are easier to build.

[Vet Guru]

So Mitch, Are Cadillac/Corvette having another go at pushing the brand in 2010? And are they looking at more dealerships??