On August 29th, 2018, GM officially launched the Cadillac XT4 in China. The small crossover is the newest Cadillac to go on sale in the country, notably launching in China before doing so in North America. One of the details that we’ve managed to dig up with the help of our colleagues at Cadillac Society is that the small crossover SUV is being made at the Jinqiao Cadillac plant in Shanghai. The decision to make the XT4 at the facility is quite notable, and provides some insight into the inner workings of GM and Cadillac.
The Background
In 2016, GM and its Chinese joint venture partner, SAIC, built a new factory in Shanghai specifically for Cadillac. Called Jinqiao Cadillac, the plant was billed as a way to support Cadillac’s growth in China. Prior to its launch, most Cadillac vehicles were assembled in North America and imported into China, thereby being subjected to a hefty import tariff that made them uncompetitive from a pricing standpoint and significantly limiting sales volumes.
The facility is unofficially referred to as the Cadillac mega plant in China, and the first two vehicles to be built there were the CT6 and XT5. All was going well until GM quietly stuffed the Buick GL8 minivan into the plant, raising the obvious question of why a Buick was being made at a plant allegedly meant for Cadillac production. And that brings us to the Cadillac XT4.
The XT4, you see, is not a “pure” Cadillac the way the ATS, CTS, or CT6 are. It’s built on the same GM E2 platform that underpins the current-generation Chevrolet Malibu and Buick Regal. We won’t get into whether that’s good, bad, acceptable or otherwise. But what we will get into is the model’s production location: since GM builds the China-market Malibu and Regal at two other plants, logic follows that it would make the XT4 on the same line, as well. Interestingly, that is not the case.
The Plants
Three different plants are involved in this dialogue: the aforementioned Jinqiao Cadillac plant, and two others: Jinqiao South, which builds the Cadillac ATS-L, Buick Regal and Lacrosse, and Jinqiao North, which builds the Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Malibu, and Buick Velite 5.
Jinqiao Cadillac Plant
Shanghai GM Jinqiao North Plant
- Cadillac XTS
- Chevrolet Malibu XL
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Buick Velite 5
Shanghai GM Jinqiao South Plant
The GM Authority Take
The decision to assemble the Cadillac XT4 at the Jinqiao Cadillac plant despite the existence of two other facilities that make vehicles on the same overall vehicle architecture shows that GM is consolidating the manufacturing of China-market Cadillac vehicles into a single, central facility. In fact, we would not be surprised to see all future Cadillac models, including the upcoming CT4, CT5 and XT6, to be assembled at this very facility.
The development indicates that, at least on some level, GM is serious about establishing Cadillac as a true semi-independent division with its own headquarters, design, engineering and manufacturing operations. And though the new XT4 traces its roots to more plebeian models, we don’t envision that taking place for the next generation XT4, as GM Vehicle Sets come into play, including VSS-R.
[toggle title=”Cadillac XT4 Photos”] [nggallery id=950] [/toggle] [toggle title=”Jinqiao Cadillac Plant Photos”] [nggallery id=921] [/toggle]
Comments
Looks good! I hope Cadillac has paid attention to use of quality materials for the interior.
another GM American car to be assembled in china —Gm decisions kept getting worst . I guess the American workers who want to work for GM will have to move to china —really — wtf
No, this is being assembled in China for China as a result of Chinese requirements. The American model will be assembled in Kansas City.
I won’t get all jingoistic – and maybe the numbers work out in these turbulent times of tariffs.
But wondering how the numbers work – US designed and tested. China assembles their own, but keeps 50% of the proceeds?
Maybe, given the scale of China’s mkt, that works?
Hope their build-quality and pricing structure are in line with Cadillac global.
Oh PS – I think Cadillac missed an oppty to do a pink Cadillac/Aretha tribute of some sort (think Prince’s Little Red Corvette, or better) … something people put on the wall/screen-saver/paint the town pink/something … iconic brand shows some lasting respect for iconic performer.
Just a thought …
It was done. It was posted on their social media outlets
At her funeral, over 110 pink Cadillacs did appear and more were coming but told not to, because there were enough. So, why make a “pink Cadillac” again if there were more than enough? I don’t know if Mary Kay still gives them as rewards, and few women do like “pink”.
If you wan more pink Cadillacs, buy your own in white and paint them!
Mary Kay still does. I’v seen a pink XT5 in person the other day. It was a beautiful mild pink Mary Kay uses.
I am suprised at Mary Berra CEO doing this. She knows that the vehicles will be taxed at 25%. . The USA buyer will reject buying them just like the Buick Envision. Sad Un American move
You’d have a point if the Buick Envision was a poor seller, but as it stands, it isn’t.
The ones for the USA are built in Kansas City.
You are also blind! As Alex mentioned here, these are only for the Chinese market. The U.S. market has its own assembly in Kansas. Don’t mix lo mein with spaghetti!
China requires a Chinese partner, builds in country, steals the intellectual property, the machines, U.S. workers train Chinese workers … and in a few short years China produces copycat vehicles for worldwide sale and eats GM’s lunch. All for some short-term GM profits. Not very smart.
Jinqiao Cadillac is the factory JDN built, correct?
Also, wasn’t the ATS L dropped from production a few years ago?
It is currently in production over there. Not sure for ’19 model will continue though. However, sales for the ATS-L sedan could continue in China few more years due to popularity of the car.
I’m all for build where you sell… I’m also a huge fan of actually having a real authentic Cadillac plant again. Not just some GM plant that happens to build some Cadillac badged product. I wish they’d do this with Chevrolet and make it authentic again as well. And I wish they’d do it right here in America for both where it all began.
Put up the money if you want it done your way.
And why not remove the robots from the plant and make everything by hand again?
How long before a China factory produces vehicles for world distribution … using the intellectual property, operations and training from the Cadillac plant?
The average buick buyer in America has yet to find out that the Envision is imported from china. When the tarrif hits and they find out sales will drop. Let’s see in 6 months.
The American consumer already knows about the Envision, and by the sales figures, they largely don’t care that it’s assembled in China.
Just because you’re inflamed about the Envision doesn’t mean you speak for the thousands of other consumers who aren’t bothered by the Envisions point of assembly and have bought the car.
If this thing is for sale, where are the reviews? Embargoed?
We would’ve seen new photos of XT4s out & about in public roads, if it was.
Could be another case of Genesis G70. Sell now, review later.