In an article highlighting Cadillac’s future product plans, Automobile Magazine brought up the subject of the Cadillac ELR and what’s in store for the future of the plug-in EV. Cadillac has sold less than 600 ELRs through to July and as a result, this current-generation ELR may be the last.
Cadillac chief engineer Dave Leone said more hybrid cars are in store for the brand, but also said being the most fuel efficient luxury brand is not in their plans. The brand doesn’t have to meet the same Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, as those company’s sales are made up of mostly thirsty luxury models, whereas Cadillac only accounts for a small portion of GM’s sales and cars like the CTS-V are offset by EV’s like the Volt.
The main reason Automobile thinks the first ever ELR may be the last is Cadillac has not been involved in the development of the next-generation Chevrolet Volt at all. The new Volt, which has recently been spotted undergoing testing, will have improved fuel economy, more electric range and possibly room for five passengers.
Just because the ELR’s demise is near doesn’t mean that’s the end of hybrid Cadillacs. While it won’t be doing battle with BMW’s ‘i’ sub brand, fuel efficiency is important to all automakers and even more important to consumers, so Cadillac will likely have some other type of hybrid in the works. BMW offers their 5-Series mid-size sedan in an “Activehybrid” variation and Mercedes too has an electrically-assisted mid-sizer, the E400 Hybrid. To us, a hybrid CTS intended to do battle with these two seems like a logical step forward, even though Cadillac says it won’t be going product for product with the Germans.
Comments
A nice looking car, but totally wrecked by the price. I’m beginning to think that this car will join the ranks of the Cimarron as one of the worst Cadillac ideas. A shame, really, but GM marketing strikes again, folks. What were they thinking? Seriously?
Should have been Volt plus prices for additional features value plus Cadillac premium. Since the current base Volt is just over $34K, a price of $49,995 would have given Cadillac & GM probably a $12K premium at the dealer price level and they probably would have sold a ton.
It’s much easier to keep the price low to create demand — and then raise it — than it is to price it high and then start dropping it, either at the MSRP level or with incentives. It encourages potential customers to wait.
GM has repeated this scenario time and time again on many products.
the ELR is better than that crappy cimarron anyday of the week.
I’ve always said that despite being a beautiful car; GM has rushed to it on the market
Brands are beginning to sell and from below, ATS; CTS; XTS ………….
And then once they begin to be positioned and regular sales begin offering personal and cool luxury products
Regards from Spain
Sad that it’s overpriced by about $10-$15k, and doesn’t offer much for the money over a Volt. For a little bit more money, the Tesla Model S is a hands down no-brainer choice.
I’m hoping that Cadillac has some tricks left up it’s sleeve on this electric, it should have came out first, but all things can be fixed……… 😉
I never saw or felt that this was going to be more than a car like the SSR that would sell in very low number and just fill a gap till they get what they really want.
The SSR just filled a gap till the Camaro returned and with this car I see a replacement coming that will not be a stop gap vehicle and will set the pace for Cadillac in the area of electric powered cars.
Just lower the price and start selling them. Even if GM barely breaks even, just get it out there so the new buyers can start raving about it and causing a stir about Cadillac. As it is now, they’ll never cover the R & D. Regard it as a promotion/marketing ploy. But get them in the hands of buyers.
Did anybody believe otherwise. That car was a bomb from Day 1. Anybody involved in bringing this to market should be fired.
You could of written this article the day the price was announced. I get the feeling corporate brass just didn’t to drive to the country club in a chevy volt. So they pushed the ELR through.
I currently have a Chevy Volt and I’m absolutely in love with the car. My other car, wifes car, is a Cadillac ATS. We were trading in a CTS coupe just after the ELR was released and had the ELR been realistically 20% above the Volt as it should been. We would have one now.
I seriously hope they never hoped it be a competetor to the Tesla because as much as I love my Volt. And I appreciate how beautiful the ELR is, it ain’t no Tesla.
I bought a Cadillac ELR 2 months ago, and as far as I am concerned, it is the best car on the highway. .
People are saying the Tesla is better, well it should be It is $25.000 higher with everything being extra cost. Navagation, free on ELR, $375 on T
High end stereo, standard on E, $2500 on T
parking sensors free on E, $500 on T
Road trips generator on E, $2000 on T, supercharger
Extra nice 20″ rims included on E, $2500 on T , 21″ rims extra on T
leather standard on E, $1500 onT
Interior trim, carbon fibre,wood trim included on E, $800 on T
Alcantra headliner, dash, standard on E, $4000 on T
accent interior lights ,standard on E, $1000 on T
total ELR $76000 Tesla $89,800
discounts $14,000 t0 $25,000 on E, $0 on Tesla.
Approx $25,000 higher price on Tesla model S
Tesla is nice looking, but I prefer the better looking Cadillac ELR.