General Motors will not offer the new Cadillac V-Series models – the CT4-V and CT5-V – in China, GM Authority has learned from sources familiar with Cadillac product plans.
The decision to not offer the all-new Cadillac V-Series vehicles in the Chinese market is noteworthy given that China has recently become Cadillac’s largest market by sales volume. In 2019, for instance, Cadillac recorded 156,246 new vehicle sales in the United States, some 57,000 units less than the 213,717 units delivered in China during the same timeframe.
Cadillac Sales - 2019 Calendar Year
| MARKET | YTD 19 / YTD 18 | YTD 19 | YTD 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CANADA | +0.21% | 11,918 | 11,893 |
| CHINA | +3.95% | 213,717 | 205,605 |
| MEXICO | -2.12% | 1,110 | 1,134 |
| RUSSIA | -17.09% | 975 | 1,176 |
| SOUTH KOREA | -18.42% | 1,714 | 2,101 |
| USA | +1.00% | 156,246 | 154,702 |
| TOTAL | +2.41% | 385,680 | 376,611 |
Not offering the Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V means that Chinese customers will be limited to only a single engine offering in both sedans – the twin-scroll, turbo-charged 2.0L LSY engine, which is rated at a maximum 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
Meanwhile, the two Cadillac V-Series models – which began shipping to U.S. dealers in March just as the COVID-19 pandemic halted GM production in the Americas – deliver more power and more spirited performance.
2020 Cadillac CT4-V
The CT4-V is powered by a turbo-charged 2.7L I-4 L3B engine with TriPower technology making 325 horsepower and 381 pound-feet of torque mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission with either RWD (standard) or AWD (optional). Magnetic Ride Control is offered on RWD models, while AWD models use passive dampers. Brembo brakes bring the vehicle to a stop.
2020 Cadillac CT5-V
The CT5-V is powered by a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 LGY engine making a healthy 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. Like in its smaller brother, power is sent via a 10-speed automatic transmission with RWD as standard, and AWD optional.
In roughly a year, both models will be joined by ultra-high-performance variants – the CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing.
Not bringing the CT4-V and CT5-V in China follows in the footsteps of the discontinued CT6-V, which was also not offered in the Asian country, which is now the world’s largest by sales volume.
It’s worth noting that all three of Cadillac’s primary competitors – Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW – offer their mid- and high-tier performance models in China, including S/RS, AMG and M, respectively. Sources tell GM Authority that GM’s decision not to offer Cadillac V-Series vehicles in China are driven by the desire to keep the supply chain simplified, while also allowing the vehicles to slot into a lower tax bracket (China taxes vehicles based on engine displacement). As of this writing, we’re told that no plans exist to change that.
Cadillac V-Series lineup. Left to right – CT6-V, CT5-V, CT4-V
For the time being, the CT4-V and CT5-V have been officially announced for the U.S. and Canada. No official announcements have been made for the two models to become available elsewhere, but we expect them to also become available in the Middle East and South Korea in roughly a year.
We’ll have much more on the new Cadillac V-Series models soon, and invite you to subscribe to GM Authority for the latest Cadillac CT4 news, Cadillac CT5 news, Cadillac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
This article was created in collaboration with our sister site, Cadillac Society.
Comments
I see the potential for some good news in this.
Cadillac sold 156,246 units in the United States vs 213,717 in China; the superficial inference being China is Cadillac’s most important market. However, would it not be safe to assume the most important market to Cadillac is the one generating more profit? And I’d wager the U.S. does by a long shot because the communist Chinese take a massive cut (50% I think) of any foreign operation’s profit.
There is an interesting line towards the end of this article that says, “Sources tell GM Authority that GM’s decision not to offer Cadillac V-Series vehicles in China are driven by the desire to keep the supply chain simplified.” Maybe it is just me but that reasoning imparts a lack of motivation and motivation was previously never in short supply with regard to the Chinese portfolio (they even made exclusive LWB models for them!).
GM has long since moved away from the 1980s model of pursuing volume for volume’s sake and even made it CLEAR recently that their product portfolio is totally profit-driven at this point. I may be prematurely optimistic but, with all that said, wouldn’t it be great if this move is indicative of an awakening at Cadillac whereby satiating China’s demands are diminished while the U.S. market regains uncontested preeminence with regard to product planning?
With uncertainty looming in the US-China trade situation over the coming months, it might be prudent for many US companies to assess their business in China.
But my first assumption is that GM is saving the cost of certifying these low-volume models.
I wouldn’t read too much into the decision to not offer the CT4-V or the CT5-V in China as it relates to Cadillac’s direction at home. We’ll have more related to this within the next few weeks as we gather info and details.
While on paper this makes absolutely no sense, in reality this decision is based on what China demands of products sold in China which is that it needs to be manufactured in China to avoid high tariffs and this is what needs to be done on every piece of merchandise that is sold in the United States that is imported from China.. high tariffs even if it’s an American brand product because if it isn’t manufactured in the United States then it should be treated just like any import and taxed heavily.
My question is did they skip the V for the later Black wing or some Electic super car we have yet to see?
Some times you have to let these things to play out to get the full picture.
GM’s Chinese partners are unusually aggressive if you don’t cow-tow to their demands. I’ve worked with them before, and if you don’t nod your head and say “yes” to everything they have on plan, then you are shamed and booted out of future discussions, and they make your workday a living hell. The Cadillac V team probably wasn’t going to suck up to China that way, and I applaud them for that.
I’m hoping this comment gets approved, because it needs to be known that PATAC has tried to gain access to GM’s IP protected information using some pretty sneaky techniques in the past.
Does this have something to do with the way China taxes engine displacement ?
Yes.
The article says that “[n]ot offering the Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V means that Chinese customers will be limited to only a single engine offering in both sedans – the twin-scroll, turbo-charged 2.0L LSY engine, which is rated at a maximum 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.” But, both cars can be had here with de-tuned versions of the V engine in Premium Luxury trim. So does the article actually mean that they will not export the CT4 with the 2.7 or the CT5 with the 3.0?
The CT4 and CT5 are currently only offered with the turbo 2.0L LSY engines in China. The detuned turbo 2.7L L3B or the turbo 3.0L LGY are not available in Prem Lux models in that market.
GM makes less sense all the time? It seemed obvious the entire reason the new “V” cars were developed and packaged the way they were was specifically for China! Big power and performance is not as important there as look, perception and plenty of badging (350T, 400T, etc…).
They both look the same to me minus engine sizes, I remember when one could tell the difference from a El Dorado, Coupe De Ville , Seville and Fleetwood. Cadillac sold way more cars in America then than now that’s the power of Identity by name
it is a shame that they are not sold in australia as they will sell real well in this market
With LHD?
no RHD
I doubt Cadillac would spend the money required to design, tool, and test RHD versions just for Australia.
Besides, isn’t there a good deal of bitterness in Australia toward GM from the closure of Holden?
yes because they tried to sell us front wheel drive cars .Here in australia RWD is the go and GM did not get it look around at the moment every man and his dog has bloody ford mustang
So you’re saying all would be forgiven if GM would export RWD vehicles to Australia?
yes 4 doors and RWD in a v8 or v6 and priced about the same as the holdens that were made here . that type of motor car will do well here
I bet they would consider it if they sold the car in Japan and/or the UK as well.
Omg it just looks like a rebadged Camry, I long for the day when Cadillac hires some designers who can bring back the look of a Caddy. Every BMW still has a look thats is traditional bmw.