EVs Change GM’s Product Launch Cadence
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General Motors is making the pivot to electric vehicles, investing billions into EV development and production, with plans to launch 30 new EVs by 2025. Notably, the move towards electric vehicles is also changing GM’s product launch cadence.
Before we launch into this, let’s first go over how GM approaches its product launch cadence for internal-combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
Typically, GM introduces its ICE vehicles with the lower-end (or general trim level) lineup first, followed by the high-end variants later on. A few examples of this would include the third-generation Cadillac CTS, with the lower-trim CTS introduced for the 2014 model, followed by the performance-oriented Cadillac CTS-V for the 2016 model year. The C8 Corvette is another good example, with the base-model C8 Corvette Stingray introduced for the 2020 model year, and the go-faster C8 Corvette Z06 introduced for the 2023 model year. Even the Cadillac Escalade could be used as an example, with the all-new fifth-generation Escalade introduced for the 2021 model year, and the go-faster Escalade-V introduced for the 2023 model year.
Check out the table below for several other examples of GM’s product launch cadence for ICE vehicles:
| Model | Introduction | Range-Topping Variant |
|---|---|---|
| Cadillac ATS | 2013 | 2016 (ATS-V) |
| Cadillac CT4 | 2020 | 2022 (CT4-V Blackwing) |
| Cadillac CT5 | 2020 | 2022 (CT5-V Blackwing |
| Cadillac CTS (3rd Generation) | 2014 | 2016 (CTS-V) |
| Cadillac Escalade (5th Generation) | 2021 | 2023 (Escalade-V) |
| Chevrolet Camaro (5th Generation) | 2010 | 2014 (Z/28) |
| Chevrolet Colorado (2nd Generation) | 2015 | 2017 (ZR2) |
| Chevrolet Corvette (7th Generation) | 2014 | 2019 (ZR1) |
| Chevrolet Corvette (8th Generation) | 2020 | 2023 (Z06) |
| GMC Sierra 1500 (4th Generation) | 2019 | 2022 (Denali Ultimate) |
Now, however, with GM’s new EV models, that launch cadence has been reversed, with the high-end variants preceding the more basic trim levels. A few examples would include the Chevy Silverado EV and GMC Hummer EV, which were introduced with the range-topping RST First Edition and Edition 1 trim levels, respectively. There’s also the GMC Sierra EV, which was introduced with the range-topping GMC Sierra EV Denali.
| Model | Introduction | Range-Topping Variant |
|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Lyriq | 2023 | 2024 (Performance AWD) |
| Chevrolet Silverado EV | 2024 | 2024 (RST First Edition) |
| GMC Hummer EV Pickup | 2022 | 2022 (Edition 1) |
| GMC Hummer EV SUV | 2024 | 2024 (Edition 1) |
| GMC Sierra EV | 2024 | 2024 (Denali) |
The one exception to all this is the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq, which made its introduction with the Debut Edition, a rear-wheel drive model based on the Luxury trim level. Following the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq Debut Edition will be a Performance all-wheel drive model, as well as several other trims.
Indeed, the switch to EVs heralds big changes at GM, so make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more GM electric vehicle news, GM technology news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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How great would it be if these things become a hit, are competitive with Ford’s new F-150 Lightning, and American companies end up kings of the EV mountain like they used to be for all vehicles.
America is King of the EV’s already. Have you heard of Tesla?
Do you mean maintain our lead so China doesn’t take over as they are very close to doing so. China produces more overall BEV’s then us but they produce many tine BEV;s as well.
BYD is the one that is really blowing up right now and threatening Tesla in sales numbers in the Future. I still think Tesla will be able to hold its lead as by 2025 they will easily be selling 5 Million vehicles Globally (If Not more)
And more than 50% of Tesla vehicles were produced in China last year.
Anybody know how well these EV’s perform when temperatures dip into the minus 30 for weeks at a time!! I have heard that the cold temps suck up the battery life..
I live in the Midwest and have never had an issue with the Cold. As a matter of fact it is much better than my ICE vehicle was because I get basically instant Heat.
I am disappointed that this article includes Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC but not Buick.
I can see three possibilities here:
1) They probably didn’t think anyone would notice Buick missing.
2) They forgot about it themselves, because Buick.
3) GM themselves forgot about Buick.
Buick is an electric Chinese car.
This story is just for announced GM products. GM hasn’t announced any Buick products yet, but we know they’ll exist if for nothing else the Chinese market.
The flip to “high-end first” makes sense for evs. Thinking of the Chevy Silverado, the introductory model in 2019 was the humble “work truck”, which made the new series approachable to the masses. (Sadly, it was also the ugliest model, which I believe drove down initial interest.) Then the higher-bling, higher-priced models appeared, keeping fresh (and better-looking) images in front of the buying public.
Evs, however will appeal most to early adopters, who tend to be much more affluent. People who would like the introductory Hummer want the exclusivity that comes with a high-zoot trophy in their fifth garage stall.
For years automakers tried to create a $30,000 EV and make money at it. This was just not possible due to the high cost of investment and the low take rate.
But then the Tesla S happened where it proved people will pay larger prices for high end EV cars. No one expected it to work and Tesla did it because it was their only real option forward.
Well it proved the concept. Now most mfg are going to sell high end models first to reduce the cost and faster pay off the investments to usher the new lower cost models to market.
This has been how new high end options were always introduced like anti skid brakes, electronic suspensions even back in the day disc brakes. Today it is applied to the entire vehicle.
This should work fine for GM as they will have support of the high end EV sales as well their ICE truck and SUV sales to carry thought this.
Tesla still isn’t making money producing cars…….
I am not a Tesla fan. But the money they do make goes right back into new product development as they have no other means of income.
Their growth expenses are more than their profits. GM has no growth issues and the trucks pay for most of the things they need.
Tesla has gone all out on there cyber truck release 2 or 3 years ago, oh yeah that release has been pushed off another year or two?
Ford is gonna sell 100K F-150 Lightnings before Tesla sells the first Cyber Truck.
Tesla has the highest Margins in the entire Industry excluding High End Niche Automakers like Ferrari and the like. Do you think they were able to build three HUGE Giga Factories within three years without Profits?
Why do you think Herbert Dies is freaking out at VW, Legacy Automakers cannot figure out how to make those Tesla Margins and are getting killed.
The fact that these EVs are so unaffordable just goes to show who the target audience is. Elite Latte sipping limousine liberals who preach about “equity” and “equality” while buying themselves a 100k+ car instead of donating their extra money to people with less “privilege” than themselves. But hey, they at least get to feel good about it because they have an EV and hence the emissions have been transferred from their tailpipe to the mining process for the batteries and electricity used to power these things.
Come on. There are expensive ICE vehicles as well. An Escalade is priced similarly to a Hummer EV. A Cadillac Lyriq is priced similarly to an XT6. And I’m sure if people have enough money to buy $100k vehicles they are probably giving money to charities as well.
With your logic, we would all still be using flip phones. Someone has to pay for innovation. It’s normally the early adopters – liberal or conservative.
You sound like a straight douche.
“Elite Latte sipping limousine liberals who preach about “equity” and “equality” while buying themselves a 100k+ car instead of donating their extra money to people with less “privilege” than themselves.”
Why is the most popular car for conservative tech bros a Tesla then?
Tesla proved that marketing the big end customer first, cash flow per vehicle is larger thus help pay the billions of dollars for development.
Surprised to see you here without hating on America. When are you leaving George?
The situation has changed here in relatively POOR Western New York, since in general, people couldn’t care less about Hybrids and anything plug-in – when Gasoline is $2 a gallon.
Gasoline will (likely before the end of this month since OIL is already $125/bbl) be $5 a gallon again – except THIS TIME it doesn’t look like there is any ultimate limit to the price….
Electricity here has become slightly more expensive from the historical 11 cents/ kilowatt-hour, to currently 13 1/5 cents/kwh – but it is so much cheaper to refuel with electricity (about 1/3 rd of the cost of historical gasoline prices), that Electric vehicles in my area (Phev’s and BEV’s – in other words ANYTHING that you can plug in the wall and use less gasoline) are suddenly the latest thing to talk about at coffee shops.
GM hasn’t made ANYTHING electric in a long time (I think it was dumb that they prematurely discontinued the VOLT after spending all that design money for the Generation 2 volt and then only running it from 2016-2019 – but that is why I picked one up at the last second since I wanted one) – so it is at least good they are restarting production of the BOLT ev and euv in April…
They’d certainly have sold much more if they had a second product to sell – so it is good that they are FINALLY having something to sell.
Tesla is light years ahead of gm.
@Daniel
Tesla is light years of everyone (Fortunately or unfortunately)
I have been stating for years that the race is now for that highly coveted second place. It is a Battle mostly between GM and VW, might be throwing BYD in there if GM and or The VW Group mess up big time. We shall see.
I am glad that GM is going All In as it is literally the only path to existence in the Future.
I am so glad I bought a brand new towable RV last fall. NOT! Perhaps I should order the EV and anchor an ICE generator in the bed to keep it charged.
Pretty sure the first Silverado EV will be the WT Spring of 2023 with the RST First Edition being in the following fall.