Poll: How Do You Feel About Cadillac’s New IQ Naming Convention?
75
Sponsored Links
Cadillac is making a transition to EV power, ditching internal combustion in favor of batteries and electric motors, with the first Cadillac EV out the gates being the Cadillac Lyriq crossover. With this latest switch to EVs, Cadillac is also changing up its naming conventions, adopting a new structure that incorporates the “iq” suffix. However, as is the case with any major change, the new naming convention has been somewhat controversial.
Let’s start with a quick recap of how we got here. Back in 2019, it was revealed that Cadillac would return to “real model names” by 2022. At the time, the bulk of the Cadillac lineup was composed of alphanumeric model names with a selection of numbers and letters, such as the Cadillac CT5 and Cadillac XT4, with the iconic Cadillac Escalade SUV being one obvious exception. However, it was reported that Cadillac was poised to adopt a new naming convention using “real” model names rather than alphanumeric model names, i.e., names similar to the Cadillac Escalade rather than Cadillac XT4.
Later, however, it was revealed that Cadillac was indeed ditching the alphanumeric naming convention, but rather than adopting “real” model names, the luxury marque would instead adopt model names that rewrite real words with the iq suffix.
In an interview with GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft, Cadillac head of global strategy, Phil Dauchy, said that the new naming convention was indeed intended to symbolize Cadillac’s transition from internal combustion to all-electric powertrains, “[signaling] that Cadillac is bringing a different type of vehicle to market, one that works in concert with man, nature, and machine.”
When asked specifically about the Cadillac Lyriq, Dauchy said that it was a nod to the fact that Cadillac is the most-mentioned brand in songs, automotive or otherwise.
Of course, naming conventions are similar to styling in that they can be quite subjective. In fact, one could argue that Cadillac was better off sticking with the alphanumeric CT / XT naming conventions and simply sticking EV or Electric at the end for the upcoming range of battery-powered vehicles.
That said, we want to know how you feel about Cadillac’s new IQ naming convention. Tell us by voting in the poll below, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
- Sweepstakes Of The Month: Win a Corvette Z06 and 2024 Silverado. Details here.
The names are unique. The Asian brands do the same, creating strange but unique names, too.
Cadillac has been a mess for years trying to figure out how to brand themselves. I’m pretty sure they’ll figure out how to shoot them selves in the foot again.
I’ve been driving Cadillacs since 1992, changing every 3 or 4 years – starting with the STS, then XTS when the STS was dropped. At this point, I can’t keep the names straight anymore. The CT6 has came and gone and now what? The iq series? Makes me wonder what the cumulative IQ is around that decision making table.
Remember when they had the CTS and shortly thereafter the CT5? That was great for confusion.
The EV transition period is causing lots of brands to paint themselves into a corner. Most of them say they’re going to be fully EV within a decade right? So Mercedes is doing everything EQ, BMW is doing everything i, Hyundai is doing Ioniq, so in 2035 or so, there will be no more S-Class to need differentiated from the EQS, so the entire Mercedes lineup will be EQ-something. And every Hyundai will then be a Hyundai Ioniq something. I think in this one area Cadillac may be the best positioned because the -iq isn’t so blatantly EV. Except on the Escalade IQ. I think Lyriq will transition to being normal for Cadillac better than EQS will work replacing S-Class.
I am glad to see the alphanumeric going away. I think as the names come out, they will be a better indicator of how the brand is an elevation of luxury. Not crazy about the use of I, but it does attract the new segment of buyers buying online known as I buyers. Like it or not you have to adapt and attract younger…
Another Mary mistake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My wife and I have bought Cadillacs for 40 years and have loved them. We revere the old names: Coupe de Ville, Fleetwood Brougham, Eldorado, to name a few. We have one now and love it too but I have to go out into the garage to see what its name is. We’re for recognizable names rather that a jumble of letters and numbers. Oh, by the way, it’s an XTS, now also extinct.
I love the fact CADILLAC is going back to name, they never should have changed them in the 1st place. These new iq named EV models will be fine, at least you will know which model is which
I think that applies to all brands. The alphanumeric nonsense, or the cutesy made up names go nowhere with me.
in fact applies to all car manufactures and even garages, customs etc… Mind generates all fantasies and crazy things
How about an E-Ldorado…. fl-EEtwood ….. or maybe a dEville. At least they’d be recognized as a Cadd-E !
Start holding the ceo responsible for flushing the Cadillac brand down the drain
What’s next – Cadilliq?
If you find water in the trunk, is it liq-ing?
Caddy Chiliq ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. (hissy fit) 😂
Just how is the average schmoe going to pronounce it, lyric, leer’-eek, leer-eek’? My guess is lyric. BTW, what is correct?
Ironic coming from a company with a low IQ.
-That’s ‘ironiq’
I think the new naming scheme is “idiotiq”
.. names are ever exquisite, hate the alphanumeric … we remember Rolls Royce was an important name once
… whatever for me the most important is from 2022 to 2040 what disappears and what starts. Great Transformations
… of Course GM, Cadillac & Buick of today can’t be comparable and is 180° different as what was 20 years ago !
… GM is slippering on Ice and if was not Government, would be past already, So all crazy Ideas come trying to Survive
… soon the Trend will be another, another Director comes, erase all and do all different again, faster than we fall asleep
Would have been nice to see it at the LA Auto Show. No show for any for any GM elelectrics.
Chevy only brand at LA show, Wait a year and see? GM’s EV offensive really starts in 2022… Sounds like Lyriq is coming early (March deliveries), Hummer is on time and ramping, and GM might have some EV rabbits to pull out of the hat soon.
It’s a start.
I think it’s better than the alphabet soup we’ve been having the last 2 decades.
The names has a technological tone to it, which these EVs will be portraying. I can see what Cadillac is doing here.
not real exciting, but 1000 times better than confusing alphanumeric naming, especially when they change the format every few years!
Good thing are coming for Cadillac, I think by 2025 the brand will nearly double 2021 USA sales, which would not be hard…
Not all that hard to do with depressed sales and chip shortages.
Cute-sy-pie; an attempt at being trendy. It will go from trendy to a joke faster than the Nehru jacket.
In short: its iq-y.
I have no problem with the new naming system put in place. Cadillac is not indicating too much these are EVs, just the name indicate the start but not trying to hide the fact that it is an EV but in between. But overtime, people will know that all future Cadillacs will be BEVs without the EV destination placed on the rear of the car.
But regardless, I would be O.K. with alphanumeric also but the branding needs to be consistent from now on for many decades and not going back and forth between Deville, ATS, CT4 & LYRIQ which all had changed within two decades to confuse customers.
But regardless what Cadillac chooses, many people will simply say they own a Cadillac.
I like Lyriq. Not sure about some of the newer names trademarked.
Evidently IQ convention is trying to say EV is smart while mixing Benz and BMW nomenclature. It is HORRIBLE & may work with Lyriq but will get silly fast with Optiq, Celestiq, and so on.
Will Lyriq name with a monochrome badge help defeat Tesla Plaid or an Apple car? Cadillac must get everything right: tip top quality, high range, easy charging, and a change in branding that makes Cadillac realivent again.
It will take more than Regina King to change the brand. CT naming at least followed a logic. Iconic Cadillac names might be okay.