Poll: How Do You Feel About Cadillac’s New IQ Naming Convention?
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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.
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I have a reservation for one of the first Lyriq Debut Editions. I am disappointed that two motor all wheel drive will not be available. I can understand that GM wanted to start with a lower priced (hopefully not cheap!) model to set the perception that this was an affordable Cadillac EV. Remember the mistake of the $80,000 Cadillac “Volt”. The Hummer EV started with the most expensive model to set the bar at that level – future Hummers will seem like bargains.