May 29, 2003/ FW/ -- For decades, Cadillac had a lock on the automotive elite with powerful and technological marvels such as the Phaeton, the Fleetwood and the Eldorado.

Now, Cadillac is re-inventing itself -- garnering the attention of movie studios, consumers and car enthusiasts alike.

When legendary Detroit car man Bob Lutz joined General Motors in 2001, Cadillac was in the midst of re-designing its future.

It had concentrated too much on the rental car market and needed a change. Lutz wanted GM's premium nameplate to push the envelope further and faster.

Just two year's later, Cadillac was rolling out five completely new models. The Escalade, Cadillac's first luxury SUV; the CTS and Escalade EXT both featured in this month's Matrix: Reloaded; the SRX, a luxury utility vehicle with a revolutionary roof; and the brand's "halo" car the $80,000 XLR 2-seat Roadster.

Critics and consumers have been raving. Cadillac sales increased 16 percent from 2001 to 2002, and currently 2003 is running 17 percent ahead of 2002. That's while overall U.S. car and truck sales are down almost 4 percent.

What may be even more important to Cadillac is their consumer's median age has decreased by seven years since 2001. Sales could go up even further -- Cadillac's latest concept car, the "Sixteen," has rocked every auto show this year and now could be hitting roads.