It’s been years in the making, but we’re finally upon Cadillac’s product onslaught. Cadillac President Steve Carlisle said he’s ready to take the luxury division on the “offensive” with a slew of new vehicles and technologies, Automotive News (subscription required) reported Monday.
“We have an arsenal of products and technologies that will create even more differentiation for Cadillac and establish a very unique and attractive position for us in the global marketplaces,” the Cadillac President said.
“We’re going on the offensive,” he added.
Carlisle’s installation comes in year four of Cadillac’s $12 billion turnaround effort, much of which was developed under former Cadillac president Johan de Nysschen. So far, it appears Carlisle will follow the de Nysschen strategy, though the Canadian executive was appointed to further speed up the brand’s resurgence and bring products to market more quickly.
The plan will see a mid-size “tweener” sedan replace the CTS, called the Cadillac CT5, a sedan smaller than the current ATS, a redesigned Escalade, freshened XT5 and more come to market. When asked about the idea of an electric performance car or sports car based on the Corvette to serve as a “halo vehicle,” Carlisle said it’s “hard to say” if the brand needs it.
“If you look at everything that we have in front of us and the priorities that we set out, by the time you did it, I don’t know,” he said. But, he went on to say a “different propulsion system” would be “more interesting.” Before de Nysschen’s departure, the former Cadillac president confirmed a halo vehicle of sorts is coming, but not until after 2022.
De Nysschen previously said the project will “stun the world” and noted the world doesn’t need another “large-box conventional sedan.” His comments followed rumors the Escala concept had received a green light for production next decade—and such a car wouldn’t follow the CT/XT naming scheme, either.
Carlisle backed that up and said, “We feel like mainstream entries need to have references to categories in which they compete — mainstream luxury. But special cars should have special names.”
Future names could reference Cadillac’s past, but not necessarily revive old nameplates.
Plus, a nationwide lease on all-electric off-road Pickup and SUV.
Extra comfort for rear-seated passengers.
Filings made in 24 countries, so far.
The sweepstakes closes on December 22nd and the drawing will take place on December 28th.
At a time of year when luxury car ATP usually rises.
Sales decreased 5.6 percent to 16,670 units during the first ten months of 2024.
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What he is talking about is cadillac doesn't needed a Mid-engine supercar, not at this time or ever. But there will be a CT7 coupe (VSS-R chassis, BEV), Escala Five Door-Lift back, and Escala Convertiable (VSS-R chassis, BEV), XT7 Crossover/Coupe (VSS-R chassis, BEV), and XT8 Crossover (VSS-R chassis, BEV).
And how do you know all this?
Carlisle seems to be a polar opposite to de Nycsshen. He's kept a low profile and been quiet whereas his predecessor was always out bragging and making big promises. I'm not sure the XT4 would've ever truly impressed anybody but it also wouldn't have been as much of a letdown had de Nycsshen been more restrained in his pre-launch promotion of it. I've always wondered if that wasn't what got Johan canned. His departure came immediately after the XT4 reveal which was widely characterized here, and elsewhere on the internet, as a disappointment.
Carlisle is so thoroughly an opposite character that it almost seems as if nothing is happening at Cadillachaus anymore. I'm sure that's not the case but perhaps Carlisle wisely understands that a strategy of underpromising and overdelivering is always the better approach.
Carlisle is being quiet because he knows he is riding the coat tails of his predecessor who did all the work that will be shown in the next 5 years.
I always make my car-buying decisions based on my perception of the character of the CEO. There was no way I was going to buy a Ferrari from that fat Italian guy who just waved his hands around.
Why would this matter? Are you saying the person you are buying from has to be a good person?
Cadillac should develop a high performance electric luxury coupe with fast charge battery to be their halo car; this vehicle could be sold around the world and what Cadillac needs to incorporate while developing this vehicle this new vehicle is their old company slogan, the standard of the world.
The offensive better be a proper full on full fat offensive & not just a fire cracker.
Not many manufacturers get the same opportunities Cadillac did. Its their last chance & if they don't deliver, they'll be forever regarded as a second rate luxury car manufacturer like Acura, Infiniti & Genesis.
Bugatti has hundreds of last chances. With a famous name plate, there is always going to be the next last chance.
VSS chassis and CT7 coupe and Escala BEV's has been, put up on this board and I don't know how many time's. Next Gen XT4/XT6/XT5 crossovers (VSS-R Chassis) XT7/CT8 crossovers VSS-R chassis. I have already said this at these top. Listen people have to get these VSS-R chassis first to get (XT4/XT6/XT5) RWD/AWD, ok. First gen XT4/XT6/XT5 FWD/AWD, ok.
I would love to see everything shown come into production:
*Add an XT4 Convertible Crossover Variant of the current XT4 (like the Range Rover Evoque)
*ELMIRAJ Coupe/Convertible. (CT7) like the MErcedes S-Class Coupe/Convertible
*ESCALA Sedan (CT8) just as the Concept Vehicle with a few extra seating surface choices.
*ESCALA Mid-Engine Coupe/Convertible or Halo Vehicle (CT9)
*ESCALA Stretched Limousine (CT10) like the Mercedes-Benz Maybach.
*XT6 CROSSOVER Vehicle with Three Rows
*XT7 CROSSOVER LWB Vehicle with Three Rows and extra Cargo Space
*XT8/XT9 ESCALADE in two wheelbases with the Full V-Version added to the lineup.
Time to "Just Do It!" and give the buyers what they really want (first in America as well as China) Also offer more upgraded leather seating Choices for each vehicle. Offer a Panoramic Roof for the 2020 Escalade and Upgrade the Rear Entertainment Systems to have a Stainless Steel or Brushed Alumnum edge. Super Cruise across the entire Cadillac Lineup.
You want all of this
And the Chinese want freedom!
Well there was not much to talk about till right now.
No real point talking up lame duck models that no longer represent the future. Telling the public the CT what ever is the best thing then killing it is so counter productive.
Now that new product is coming you start to promote it.
The real key appears to be the two new sedans dropping at about the same time will better set the line up vs haveing two models nearly in the same spot.
Stop the mid engine talk for now. The key is to get the real people products out and earn the public trust with cars in a realistic price ranges.
To sell a high end sports halo car like this you want to have all the other product in place. This way you draw attention to the entire line. You use it as a tool to sell the other cars.
Right now a coupe with a TTV8 would be more fitting to start and then move to the. Eat stuff after that.
JDN already said they could not get to a Mid Engine till 2025.
The last thing Cadillac needs is an expensive sports car now and for it to fail like the last two. Then see them on the used market for $25k a fraction of what they sold for.
Right now a Electric Sports sedan that out does. The S would be nice. I was in three Tesla cars this weekend and they are just so no charisma like inside. Yes big screens but no real soul or styling.
I agree that a coupe with a twin-turbo V-8 would be an effective way to go now, provided that it is visually stunning and offers performance options. I hope that when the CT5 sedan is revealed in L.A. in November or Detroit in January, the coupe is not far behind. I would like to see coupe and convertible versions with AWD and both a twin-turbo 6 and 8 available.
Unfortunately, some people will never accept change and choose to remain bitter rather than offer positive solutions. As GM is celebrating 110 Years of existence, it's time for a freshened lineup. Cadillac will never go back to the huge 8.1L 500HP Brougham crushed Velvet seat Gas Guzzlers of the past. They don't have to. New ideas that INSPIRE as the brand ASPIRES to be "the Cadillac" is what's needed. American Automobiles are evolving to compete in a Worldwide Platform. Raise the Bar with each new vehicle and max them out! Again, some people will never be satisfied with change. Create excitement and don't be shy about it. Reach higher!
"Cadillac will never go back to the huge 8.1L 500HP Brougham crushed Velvet seat Gas Guzzlers of the past. They don’t have to."
'They don't have to' is perhaps the 4 sweetest words I'll ever have the joy of telling someone who thinks the only thing standing between success or failure for Cadillac is a brand new 2019 Eldorado; a car that would somehow upend the entire luxury market that is already neck deep in CUV's.
The reason Cadillac doesn't have to make a new Eldorado is followed up with this next line I like:
"Raise the Bar with each new vehicle and max them out! Again, some people will never be satisfied with change. Create excitement and don’t be shy about it. Reach higher!"
Bluntly, the Eldorado didn't raise the bar with each successive generation. It stagnated, and after 40 years it was irreparable because it no longer mirrored what it was that the luxury consumer wanted in a car.
But the 'raise the bar with each new vehicle' is what I like. You lead by reaching further than others, not by repeating the same mistakes that crippled you decades ago. Those who don't like that Cadillac isn't making a new Eldorado are likely the same who would think a new cutting edge Cadillac shouldn't have a touch screen or even 4 cylinder options because it isn't in-line with the experiences they got from those terrible Cadillac's from the past.
To hell with them, because they'll only be satisfied with something that's a carbon copy of the past. because they have no interest in seeing or even being a part of the future.
I'll leave with a quote from a former head of research at GM:
"My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there."
- Charles F. Kettering