Update: Cadillac has confirmed this next crossover will, in fact, be called the Cadillac XT4. Additional information has not been made official. You can read the XT4 announcement here.
Cadillac has made news recently by stating it won’t be pumping the brakes on its branding through 2017, even though we won’t see any significant new product launching until 2018. However, 2017 will be the calm before the storm, as Cadillac is expected to launch a new vehicle every six months beginning in the year 2018.
The Detroit News recently spoke with Cadillac President, Johan de Nysschen, and he spilled details on what to expect from the brand’s product offensive in the near future.
Specifically, we’ll see a very important crossover first, what we’re calling the Cadillac XT3. The XT3 will slot below the 2017 Cadillac XT5 as a compact crossover and fill a glaring void in the brand’s utility offerings.
The Cadillac XT3 is said to be produced at the Fairfax, Kansas assembly plant, per previous intel.
As for 2017 itself, the report states we will see a refreshed Cadillac XTS sedan this year, marking the only introduction planned for the brand. Cadillac’s lineup includes four sedans and only one crossover. de Nysschen recognizes the problems this creates, but reassures it will be remedied.
“It’s left us with the obvious difficulty,” Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen, said. “The core part of our volume lineup is in the market that’s contracting while we are unable, as good as XT5 and Escalade are, we are unable to fully exploit the updraft that’s taking place in the other half of the market.”
By 2020, Cadillac’s lineup will cover all major luxury segments, according to the brand president.
“That should put us in the strong position, whether the market continues to favor of crossovers, we have them,” he said. “If it rebounds back into sedans, we have them, we’ll be in a far better-balanced position.”
Comments
I would almost bet the with the refresh the XTS also gets a new name like CT5. For one, it would fit their new sedan naming structure and two there would be even more confusion for customers and dealers with all the new XT named crossovers out or coming out and still having the XTS name still around.
First, interesting how Johan sticks to the ‘us/we/our’ descriptors re: Cadillac, vs the ‘I/me/my’ language Uwe tends to use.
Second, not much reaction about the Trump admin’s position on international trade, and how that might (or might not) affect the future of Cadillac in China. Buick, too, for that matter – but that’s fodder for another article.
In the meantime, please make Dare Greatly mean all it can be, or start exploring alternate paths. It doesn’t seem to be doing the brand any favors at this point.
Balance is the key point from JDN . A refresh of the XTS is a good thing and will help sales even more . It’s more Cadillac in customers eyes than the CT6 is . And cost figures into this as well . Both cars are really in different segments for the population . I also don’t see a name change for the XTS because its not a ” new ” car on a new platform .
This XT3 might steal some Encore buyers but Cadillac really needs to get this car out ASAP.
Glad its an American produced crossover , been holding my breath on where it was going to be built .
This will be JDN’s first vehicle under his management , and as much as I have disagreed with some of his previous decisions ( the move to N.Y , the coffee shop and the name changes ) we should all want him to succeed because Cadillac’s future is in his control and it would be nice to see Cadillac start to change its image .
XT3 will not steal sales from Encore.
The XT3 is going after X1, GLA, Q3, NX200, QX30, etc. As nice as the Encore is it does not have the badge appeal of the luxury auto brands.
What is with people bringing up the coffee shop so frequently?
I really would love an answer to that from someone.
I hope to see more Q5/GLC than NX/RDX
Mercedes and Lexus have their sport and luxury versions in different classes.
There is no reason why Cadillac has to make every car in the CT# class.
If XTS remains popular enough to redesign, it makes sense to see there is still demand for a
softer car, that favors luxury over sport.
I see in the CT6 Cadillac forum where some who moved from XTS/DTS to CT6, don’t like the firmer ride.
So if Cadillac wants to cover more bases, keeping XTS with a name like CL6 (Cadillac Luxury) might make sense.
I figure the XTS name stays if it will go away in a couple years, but change if it later gets redesigned.
XT is now for SUVs, so XTS can’t be long term. Or ES6 for Escala.
XT3 seems most likely as the first of the new crop of crossovers off the bench for Cadillac. The luxury compact crossover segment is growing at about 3x as fast as the mid size luxury SUV where the current XT5 plays in.
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2017/01/usa-luxury-suv-sales-by-model-december-2016-year-end.html
Also since GM has the Buick Encore it doesn’t need to rush to put a model in the subcompact luxury CUV like other manufacturers like BMW (X1) and M-B (CLA) have to do because they have no other divisions to draw from.
Eventually Cadillac should put a model in that category but that should be done after the XT3 or after the XT7.
Wonder if it’s getting the diesel from the Equinox since it slots below the XT5 which makes me think the XT3 is based off the Equinox platform.
Is everyone expecting Lexus inspired crossovers (i.e. XT5) or Audi/Volvo inspired crossovers (i.e. Q7, XC90, Cayenne)? I’m voting for the latter.
XT5 represents where Buick should aspire to be with refinement, IMO. Cadillac needs to push the envelope from there.
By 2020, Cadillac’s lineup will cover all major luxury segments, according to the brand president. Great plans. But the competition is fierce.