JULY 26, 1999

General Motors says "Wait and see"

THERE was an important General Motors/Opel meeting in Germany last week at which a proposal for a GM Formula 1 program was discussed by the company management. There have been strong indications in recent weeks that the American giant has been considering using F1 to broaden global interest in Cadillac products. Cadillac is GM's luxury brand and in recent months has been establishing a new marketing strategy to improve the marque's rather middle-aged image. This includes a Le Mans 24 Hour program and the introduction of the unusual Evoq sportscar, which is aimed at the European luxury car market.

Formula 1 is the next obvious step for Cadillac as GM battles to stay ahead of the Ford Motor Company in the fight to be the world's top car manufacturer.

Our sources within GM say that the F1 discussions resulted in a decision not to take any immediate action towards a GrandÊPrix program but they did not exclude the possibility of such a project in the next few years.