Cadillac President Steve Carlisle has a tough job ahead. Not only will he oversee one of Cadillac’s largest product onslaughts in recent history, but he needs to ensure the vehicles see a proper launch without hiccups. General Motors earmarked billions for a Cadillac expansion years ago; it’s Carlisle’s job to oversee a return on that investment.
The Daily Herald reported Tuesday on Carlisle’s visit to the Spring Hill, Tennessee, manufacturing facility where the 2020 Cadillac XT6 will be built. There, workers also assemble the Cadilac XT5, GMC Acadia, and Holden Acadia. Each of the crossovers ride on a version of GM’s C1 platform.
2020 Cadillac XT6
Carlisle said full production of the three-row crossover will start in June before the 2020 XT6 reaches dealers in August this year. He underscored that Cadillac has worked to nail down the XT6’s launch to the finest details to ensure the crossover arrives on time at dealers, and it can start putting customers behind the wheels of new Cadillacs again.
During the conversation, the Cadillac chief also coined a new phrase for the brand: “pinnacle of mobility.” A fitting slogan for GM brand that will focus on the most advanced technology in the near future. Cadillac will also deliver the majority of GM’s forthcoming electric cars.
“Cadillac is going to be the soonest and most complete representation” of said vision, Carlisle said.
The first will be an electric SUV, due around 2021 on a brand new architecture. Crucially, the architecture should deliver profitable electric vehicles. The brand also offers its Super Cruise semi self-driving system, which will expand to the entire lineup next decade.
On the topic of Cadillac’s rebirth, which has essentially been ongoing since the mid-2000s, Carlisle said it was necessary for the brand to leave New York City to realize a “new American version of luxury.” “We have always found the gritty, street-smart way of doing that,” he added.
Much rides on Cadillac’s success next decade following a portfolio of new crossovers and revamped sedans. GM President Mark Reuss, with oversight of the Cadillac brand, said earlier this year that electrification and a technology push is the brand’s last shot at success. Nothing like a little pressure for Carlisle.
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Source: The Daily Herald
Comments
I’ve been thinking about replacing my 2008 CTS this year. Among the great features, it has a navigation system, however, the map is about three years out of date and I live in a very fast growing area, Henderson Nevada. There is no new update that I am aware of. This lack of update support is making me think twice about a new Cadillac. If I cannot depend on support by Cadillac I may look elsewhere for my next car.
I also live in Henderson area and I love my CTS wagon. The latest update to the navigation maps in the CTS is from 2015. But check out navtool.com or look up their YouTube channel they have something you will love for your car i.e. Android Auto or Apple Carplay. You can add me on Twitter @themaddpcguy. Find me… Thanks… Hope this helps…!!!
“electrification and a technology push is the brand’s last shot at success. ”
Leaving aside the poor grammar, I’d like to poo poo both of these as niches of the luxury niche, but on eighth thought, EV and Supercruise might be their best shots at re-entering the coastal urban markets. I just hope the money and engineering/design time expended on them don’t adversely affect their normal cars for normal people.
Supercruise would be useful in an interstate traffic jam (which I hate), but I don’t see how it can see through several cars to know what’s happening ahead and avoid sudden stops.
XT6 is a sleeper to us gearheads. People on GMA might not like it but it will sell absolute bucket loads.
You’re right it is a sleeper.
But maybe wrong about how it will sell.
The GLE , X5, RX-L and Q7 sell very well.
The XT5 has fallen behind the RX, X3, MDX, Q5 and GLC.
A tarted up chevy is weak.
The XT5 is only behind the RX in sales… and Lexus kills everyone by a mile so…The tarted up chevy is doing just fine behind the tarted up Toyota while staying in front of the tarted up Mini, Volkswagon, Honda, and Mercedes.
+1 Mercedes for not having a subsidiary to poke fun at
-1 Mercedes because that’s why they charge so much for the same vehicles/equipment as these other brands.
If you think platform sharing is stupid then you have no understanding of business whatsoever.
You can still make very different vehicles on the same platform, only you can save tons of money to invest back into other places or pass savings along to customers. Which Cadillac actually does very well compared to rivals. Audi and Lincoln do a good job providing extra value this way as well.
How about the Pinnacle of making the best vehicles we can here and now and quit worrying about 10 or 20 years from now what might be. You aren’t going to gain back lost customers down the road with half baked overpriced products of current times.
Cadillac will need to continue to focus on “Quality, Quality, Quality” if they ever want to catch up to their competition. It’s a tough market out there and the competition is fierce. I have an XT5 and I love it, but I can see why the competition is out in front…
I also have an XT5 (’17 Luxury), and just saying; I don’t see why the competition is out-front. I have had stellar service from my vehicle, and even when perusing the forums, if you take out some of the nit-picking complaints, the launch was pretty darn good for an all new vehicle.
Cadillac seems to think people wil buy an over priced car as long as there is a crest badge on it . Just look at the XT5 , the premium model goes for 60 grand plus . That car isnt worth that , that is why most models sold are Luxury FWD models at a 40 plus price tag . that is what is selling . THE CONSUMER ISNT AS BRAND LOYAL AS IN THE PAST , SO THEY NEED TO START BUILDING WHAT PEOLE WANT TODAY AND NOT MID DECADE . sorry about the cap lock . Coming out with all this new product this late in the business cycle is worrisome .
Being the best? HA HA – that ship sailed a long time ago my friend.
Talk is cheap. I will wait for results.
If I order a XT6 now when can I see it being delivered. I have a XT5 now but need more room for my scooter.