Cadillac is preparing a full portfolio of new all-electric vehicles, starting with the Cadillac Lyriq luxury crossover, and later followed by the Cadillac Celestiq halo luxury sedan. Interestingly, GM Authority has learned that this wasn’t the original order in which these two Cadillac EVs were developed.
According to GM Authority sources, GM began development of the Cadillac Celestiq several months before it began development of the Cadillac Lyriq. This revelation demonstrates two things – firstly, it shows just how quickly the Cadillac Lyriq was developed. As GM Authority has covered previously, GM deployed virtual design, development, and validation tools to rapidly accelerate the timeline in bringing the new Lyriq to market. In fact, with the launch of the Cadillac Lyriq in Q1 of the 2022 calendar year, the Lyriq is a full nine months ahead of schedule, as the crossover was originally slated to launch later this year.
Secondly, the fact that GM began development of the Cadillac Celestiq before the Cadillac Lyriq demonstrates a shift in priorities for GM with regard to its all-electric vehicle strategy, with a move towards mainstream products, i.e. the Lyriq, as opposed to the top-shelf, ultra-premium Cadillac Celestiq.
GM just recently teased the Cadillac Celestiq show car with a new set of images that capture the various interior features on offer, including the center console, speaker overlays, the seats, and more. When the final production model is released, the Cadillac Celestiq will be extremely customizable, with a hand-built manufacturing process performed at the GM Global Technical Center in Michigan.
Production numbers for the Cadillac Celestiq will be very low, with units only sold in “affluent areas.” Inside will be a 2+2 seating arrangement, while motivation will be sourced from the latest GM Ultium battery and GM Ultium drive motor tech. Further standout features include GM’s next-gen Ultra Cruise semi-autonomous driver assist system and a SmartGlass roof with adjustable opacity levels. Pricing will start around $200,000.
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Comments
It’s an interesting dilemma when trying to plan these two models. In one direction, Celestiq needs to stand as the flagship. So you would think it would come first and preview the design and technology direction of the lesser models that will follow. Think of Mercedes and BMW how they release their new S Class and 7 Series and then we see those designs and features filter down the product line. On the other hand, with electric, Cadillac and GM need to be aggressive and carve out their piece of the market with a model that has more mass appeal. Let’s hope the current decision pays off. Lyriq looks promising, but now we need to see if Celestiq has enough wow-factor left over after Lyriq to justify it at a six-figure price tag in a rough market (sedans).
The celestiq will be a failure. The recession will drop sales of $200,000+ vehicles like a rock.
While true for most, the rich get richer in a recession. That’s the time to acquire capital. Those who can afford it make more money.
Look at sales of the Rolls Royce Phantom in 2008. 2009, 2010. During the recession sales dropped by over 50%.
Similar story for the Mercedes S Class, Maybach, Any Bentley or Rolls Royce.
Also recessions are a great time to spend & acquire capital. Just not $200,000+ cars that will depreciate like a rock. Never mind the impact of 10%+ interest rates.
There is a consistent message that this is not the case for certain luxury cars:
“A Tough Auto Market? Not If You’re A Maserati Exec” ~ CNBC, 2008
“Ferrari’s U.S. sales, for example, are down just 3 percent for the first 10 months of the year, compared with an industrywide slump of 14 percent, according to sales figures compiled by Autodata. Maserati sales are up 10 percent, while sales at Rolls-Royce are up a whopping 32 percent.”
“Luxury car sales rise during recession” ~ Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 2009
“Mercedes sales were up 24.9 per cent to 2,248, while Audi sales increased 17.1 per cent to 1,111, and Lexus sales climbed 11.3 per cent to 1,504. By comparison, General Motors sales declined by 23.4 per cent, Honda’s sales were down 12.2 per cent and Toyota’s sales declined by 11.1 per cent. Auto industry analyst Dennis DesRosiers said the figures shouldn’t be a surprise. Even in a recession, those with “real money” are looking for quality.”
“Recession? What Recession? Rolls-Royce and Bentley Sales Cut the Mustard” ~ 2010
“Worldwide sales for Bentley were up 16 percent from the year-ago quarter to 1,179, according to parent VW. Bentley’s U.S. sales were up 18 percent for the quarter to 311. That shows a renewed willingness to spend on the part of people with a lot of money, but it also shows that — relatively speaking — they are being cautious about it.”
“Why Are Luxury Car Sales Growing at Record Rates — In a Recession?” ~ Inequality.org, 2013
“No recession for those in the market for a luxury car” ~ Sydney Morning Herald, 2021
Meanwhile there are other articles that support your position of doom and gloom:
“Luxury car market may never look the same” ~ CNBC, 2009
Then there are neutral articles that were apprehensive about which way it would go:
“In past recessions, sales of luxury cars held on” ~ ABC News, 2009
I’m not an economist and won’t try to pretend to be one, but based on these articles I can only point out that “extreme” luxury cars were not killed off in the recession and did not follow the same patterns as the other cars. There’s no risk to the Celestiq because of recession. If the car succeeds or fails, it will be based on its own abilities, not because a multi-billionaire feels the need to downsize.
The empty hot air from CEO’s means nothing.
Nor does cherry picking certain very limited production products to try and reinforce your bias.
The Phantom is Rolls Royce bread & butter product. It is the mainstay of the brand & if you looked at sales for all the ultra-luxury brands mainstay products you would see a drop in sales from 2008 to 2010.
The haves will not be bothered by a recession.
The rear end of the car is the most dramatic of any Cadillac I can remember…it will be the most talked about section of the exterior design. Almost like a boat tail.
I seen few posts on other forums, can’t remember, that the car is very long. So, is the length just as long like the ESV; perhaps longer?
Some are saying that the car comes across as a Hudson Hornet fastback in sedan form. I remember Greg from Car Show on the YouTube channel explaining about this beauty. Does the car remind you of the Hornet?
I don’t know the exact length, as I’ve only ever seen pics and not the physical model, but it seemed to be about as long as an ESV from comparisons to things surrounding it.
And yes, the rear does resemble the Hornet 5.0 fastback. But it’s hard to compare, because the Hornet was very tall, while the Celestiq is low and wide. It’s more of a cross between a fastback and a boat tail, hard to explain. The rear lights that form an “L” off the c-pillars accentuate the sloping shape dramatically…it’s definitely a very “dramatic” silhouette.
If you search “GM driving EV’s for good,” the first search result is a page on GM’s website showing a screenshot of their most recent Super Bowl commercial with Dr. Evil.
Look to the left side of the screen…you can just make out the sloping roofline of the Celestiq behind the Cadillac Innerspace Concept.
That’s one of the best shots available to the public so far.
A knockoff boat tail. Rolls Royce only made one for a reason.
Except that they made more than one lol. But I get your point.
It’s not a real Cadillac unless it has the ducks somewhere and Vogue Tires.
Jk.. although I think it actually would be pretty nostalgic if they had a gold wreath hood ornament like a DeVille or Brougham
The way Joe’s inflation is going Chevy Bolt will be $200,000.00 soon.
Don’t those things catch on fire? Would that not make it disposable cash?
Hey Dee, is there anything positive in your life? You probably hate everything.
Hey Kretch, hate everything? no… don’t worry… I still love you… LOL
Inflation is world wide. Has absolutely nothing to do with President Biden.
A $200,000 + vehicle should make its own fuel!