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Cadillac President Alludes To Flagship Electric Car

Cadillac President Steve Carlisle hardly confirmed details surrounding a halo vehicle for the brand he oversees during a global dealer meeting, but he did allude to the idea of a future electric car for the brand.

According to an Automotive News (subscription required) report, Carlisle originally dismissed the idea of a halo car when asked about an electric vehicle or sports car as a portfolio range-topper. He noted the brand’s priorities and said such a car may not be needed by the time it comes to fruition.

2016 Cadillac Escala Concept Exterior 005

However, even though he commented that it’s “hard to say” if the brand needs such a halo car, electrification appeared to intrigue him.

“Now, if it were somehow a different propulsion system that might be more interesting,” Carlisle said. He added electric cars house “really good performance.” Such a halo car would likely not wear a CT or XT badge as the rest of the Cadillac portfolio does. Instead, Carlisle is open to “special cars” having “special names.”

Carlisle could quietly be hinting at the fact we’ll see a Cadillac flagship next decade. Former Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen previously commented that such a halo car wouldn’t come until after 2022, likely after the brand sorts out its mainstream offerings. We’ll see Cadillac introduce a three-row crossover called the XT6, two new sedans, the CT4 and CT5, a next-generation Escalade, and more in the next few years. Dealers walked away optimistic for the first time in years after receiving their first looks at the new cars and reworked marketing message.

2016 Cadillac Escala Concept Interior 003

Ex-Cadillac President de Nysschen also said the electric cars coming from GM by 2023 will disproportionately be Cadillacs, which also hints at an all-electric range-topper.

To be clear, dealers reportedly didn’t see any Cadillac electric cars during the presentation, which means such cars could be further out. The products Cadillac showed ran through 2021. But if Cadillac is to be taken seriously on the world stage, it needs to play ball with rivals who are quickly working on their own Tesla Model S competitors.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. The R8 made Audi blow up. Sure it was the $1Billion investment in developing the A4 in the mid 90s for the North American market that broke them back into the scene after a trouble from a false 60 Minutes news report destroyed their sales in the late 80s.
    But Audi would be where it is, or have it’s design language today if they hadn’t done the R8.

    Problem with Cadillac is they’ve faltered for so long trying to find themselves. Every new model asks the question if Cadillac is back… thats what the story was in 2004 when the CTS was released. Nearly 2 decades is too long, the time has passed to make Cadillac halo and have it succeed with the same meaning as the R8 did. I think they should make one, but don’t expect it to explode for the mass public like the R8

    Reply
  2. Question? Can you guys ask some dealer who is close to you guys, what they thought about the new design language vehicles they were shown. Please also ask how much more distinctive the new Escalade is compared to the current model from its GM siblings. Did the new Escalade they saw shock them in a good way or bad with it’s new tuxedo suit??? Was it shown with independent suspension? Please and thank you

    Reply
    1. They almost certainly signed NDAs, but there is always loose lips

      Reply

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