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How Much Longer Can The Cadillac CT4 Hang On?

The Cadillac CT4 first hit the scene for the 2020 model year, dropping in as the indirect replacement for the Cadillac ATS sedan. Offering a new design, as well as key powertrain updates and tech advances over the preceding ATS, the Cadillac CT4 continues to be sold as one of GM’s last remaining sedans for the U.S. market. Now, however, roughly four years after the CT4 first rolled out, the luxury four-door’s position in the Caddy lineup looks frail, at best.

The rear end of the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing.

Let’s start with the ugly. Sales figures for the Cadillac CT4 are definitely far from pretty, with the CT4 slotting in dead last in its segment during the third quarter of the 2023 calendar year, as GM Authority reported previously.

Looking over the numbers, we find the Acura Integra leading the segment with 8,320 units sold during the given time period, followed by the BMW 2 Series with 3,135 units sold and the Audi A3 with 2,807 units sold. Meanwhile, GM moved only 1,903 units of the Cadillac CT4.

To note, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Acura ILX are included in the table below, but neither are relevant here given both have been discontinued.

Sales Numbers - Luxury C-Segment Cars - Q3 2023 - USA

MODEL Q3 23 / Q3 22 Q3 23 Q3 22 Q3 23 SHARE Q3 22 SHARE YTD 23 / YTD 22 YTD 23 YTD 22
ACURA INTEGRA +83.18% 8,320 4,542 44% 29% +311.30% 24,834 6,038
BMW 2 SERIES +99.30% 3,135 1,573 17% 10% -20.21% 7,323 9,178
AUDI A3 -14.89% 2,807 3,298 15% 21% +51.01% 10,628 7,038
MERCEDES-BENZ CLA-CLASS +20.82% 2,785 2,305 15% 15% +47.57% 7,836 5,310
CADILLAC CT4 -26.27% 1,903 2,581 10% 16% +3.50% 7,339 7,091
MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS -99.43% 8 1,413 0% 9% -97.12% 157 5,444
ACURA ILX -100.00% 0 29 0% 0% -99.97% 2 6,296
TOTAL +20.44% 18,958 15,741 +25.27% 58,119 46,395

So, the Cadillac CT4 is definitely struggling, and by the looks of it, help isn’t on the way. For the moment, GM Authority has yet to see any indication that GM is working on a refresh for the CT4, with no prototypes spotted, either in North America or China, the latter of which is the CT4’s largest global market. By contrast, prototypes of the updated Cadillac CT5 have been abundant, and GM officially unveiled the refreshed model in September.

Put it all together, and it looks as though the Cadillac CT4 is on its last legs. In fact, if GM canned the CT4, the automaker’s Lansing Grand River production facility could be refocused on production of the CT5 following the eventual discontinuation of the sixth-gen Chevy Camaro by year’s end, and thus, The General could likely sell further units of the CT5 and make a healthier profit thanks to the CT5’s higher average transaction price.

So what do you think, dear reader? Will GM discontinue the Cadillac CT4? Tell us by voting in the poll below, and remember to subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac CT4 news, Cadillac news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. No doubt GM will kill it off. Do they care? I’m not going to go on my rant about the sedan things as everyone has heard it enough. But I truly am curious if others feel GM cares. I can imagine being a fly on the wall in a meeting with all the big wigs at GM and hearing them say “how much longer do we have to keep these stupid sedans? Will they just die already? I mean after all, we’ve done everything possible to starve them into history, so just die already.”

    Reply
    1. GM does not give a crap. I’m sure BMW is not considering axing the 3 Series nor Mecrcedes the C Class. Cadillac- while not in as dire straits as Lincoln- is a brand that lost its way.

      Reply
      1. GM has had it’s collective head up in a dark place for decades now. I will say that GM would be in a better place now had it not jumped the shark by going SUV happy, and letting sedans die on the vine. I have not purchased a new GM vehicle since 2011and unlikely to do so in the future. Yet, both my classic vehicles are Chevys.

        Reply
    2. What? You think that SUVs are the only thing that matters? If so, you’re a fool and many will agree.

      Reply
      1. “You think that SUVs are the only thing that matters?”

        The car companies are getting so much negativity for building what sells and makes them the most money.
        If everyone wanted sedans, they’d be building sedans.

        Reply
  2. This is disappointing. It’s one of the few compact RWD sedans remaining. Most others (including BMW and Mercedes) have gone to FWD-based AWD. I have one of the last ATS sedans sold and I love it. I had hoped to buy the next-gen CT4 but now looks like it may never arrive.

    Reply
  3. I had the 1st ATS and I have loved it! Now I’m starting to look at the CT4. I love the Blackwing and will be looking for the 2025, with a better looking interior, if the CT5 is any indication. Please
    Add
    Some
    Better
    COLORS!!!

    Reply
  4. Why don’t they sell vehicles to more countries? GM has not released CT4 in countries like Japan and Korea, where small premium cars sell well. They are only focusing on the Chinese market.

    Reply
  5. The CT4 was an “indirect replacement” for the ATS? SMH

    I love my ATS and was looking at the CT4s recently. Very disappointed that cadillac hasn’t really done anything innovative in 10 years. Supercruise is impressive, but not something I have any use for. So, other than Android Auto, there aren’t any must have features on the 2024 CT4 that I couldn’t get on a 2013 ATS. And, I have no idea why you can’t pause live radio any longer. That is one of the handiest features

    If cadillac is committed to electric vehicles, they need a competitor to the tesla model 3. An ET4 with 350 HP would be a great idea, but I’m guessing the Ultium battery skateboard doesn’t work for the compact sedan form factor.

    Reply
  6. The CT4 has been a possible consideration for my next vehicle. We are partial to GM in this family and I really enjoy my dealership experience. But when I consider it against Audi and BMW, I just don’t feel it carries the same sport luxury panache as those.

    Reply
  7. Even though Cadillac’s image is improving, it still struggles with an image problem that dates back few decades which still haunts them. Also, the car has been on the market since ’20 so lower sales volume is expected while competing against fresher and new models in the segment.

    The car is going to be discontinued in ’25-’26 model year. So the second sentence in the last paragraph in the story was a stupid question to ask because most people know who are car enthusiasts closely follow the auto news expected gas engined models will mostly discontinue from the Cadillac line-up after the ’26 model year except for the Escalade.

    Reply
  8. Just put the camaro LT1 in the CT4 and Cadillac will be selling CT4s like hot cakes. A 4dr Camaro on the wonderful Alpha 2 chassis.

    Reply
  9. Cadillac needs a large sedan. Enough said.

    Reply
    1. ACZ: Very VERY true. But Cadillac also needs to have, even if they don’t sell tons of them, a smaller and mid-sized along with that larger car. And then ADVERTISE them!!

      Reply
      1. The segment is really neither sport first nor luxury. gm’s segment entry could move to a fwd Buick. And a sport sedan for Chevy. Sometimes swings against a good pitcher have to be for singles and doubles.

        Reply
  10. The CT4 is just overpriced, especially with the 2.7 liter engine that ought to be standard.

    Reply
  11. Keep the CT4 as entry level, cancel the CT5 and bring back the CT6 to the USA.

    Reply
    1. The CT6 is a big heavy sedan, The CT5 is a great car on a great chassis. Like I said, put the LT1 V8 in the ct4 and it will be a very desireable sedan.

      Reply
  12. An overweight Malibu with the stupid vertical marker lights up front. What’s not to like ?

    Reply
    1. Well Phil, have you actually owned either of those cars? I’ve owned both. Although I really liked my Malibu, there’s just zero truth to what you said. Just shows that people will say stupid stuff just to say it.

      Reply
  13. Better yet, bring on a RWD DTS.

    Reply
  14. No surprise there I owned a 2015 ATS 2.0 270hp turbo base car, 75K in 5 years 90% hyway, 30 mpg using local Costco 93 Octane great drivers vehicle . Never met a bump in the rd you did not feel , a little better after 30k change out of run flats for Michelin Premiums, passenger seat had no height adj bad news for ingress and egress as you get older [wife] near bottom in trade in value , never had a problem but on forum Cue among other things was big problem, the CT4 is squeezing a few more cubic inches out of the interior. I would consider the CT5 as the way to go. I now have a 2022 XT4 237hp 9 sp trans 18k and more than enough pick up and hyway speeds, this is the base engine for all XTS and CT sedans, ave 28 mpg, not a luxury ride on bumpy roads just OK. JMO

    Reply
  15. I agree with Christopher, overall the Cadillac CT4 is overpriced in comparison to the imports
    Although,It’s got a lot of power, unique styling and lots of bells & whistles, but the price needs to drop enorder to sell more volume
    Cadillac needs to get pointers from CHEVROLET CORVETTE, C8 a car that gives you more for your buck at an affordable price

    Reply
  16. Because GM refuses to :” Sell cars for every price & purse ,” anymore, Cadillac has no comparison within the company.
    So , it is being tasked to do what the other Divisions once did…..
    Give the small performance car to Buick as a Regal – Grand National, and let Cadillac have a BIG CAR !
    And my God , drop the horizontal light appendage, on Cadillacs iconic vertical rear lights – fin !
    Its so sickening, to see this great company, with so much legacy, and resources, be so shortsighted.
    So many people care so much , and they continue to ignore them !
    I am glad to still have true Cadillacs .

    Reply
    1. Amen!

      Reply
  17. GM would be better served by reallocating what they are spending to produce the CT4 into building a CT6 for the U.S. market.

    Reply
  18. too many comments here about “panache” and “image” — what about things that matter, like reliability and ease of ownership? are these unreliable and a pia to live with? i imagine that has a lot to do with low resale value

    Reply
    1. “what about things that matter, like reliability and ease of ownership?”

      In that case, just go buy an Acura or Lexus like everyone else.

      Reply
    2. Resale value is about #20 on the list. Buying a new car is a losing proposition from the beginning unless it’s a Ferrari or a Corvette. All cars depreciate so you may as well get what you like. Reading Consumers Report will not bring you happiness.

      Reply
    3. Cadillac should be about quality; but the appeal the brand has always been its fascinating style leadership.
      They led in all fields at one time .
      If you dont care about a cars ” panache ” , then Cadillacs aren’t your brand .

      Reply
  19. Update the car, Camaro is leaving so the ct4 may pick up some of those sales. I was hoping for a refresh. Awd

    Reply
    1. Yes indeed, make the CT4 blackwing with the LT1 V8 455 horse 455 lbft of torque right out of the alpha chassis Camaro but please, no AWD, save that for all the weaker variants.

      Reply
  20. The Regal GS was pushing out better numbers and even that was killed. I don’t know how long of a future the CT4 has

    Reply
  21. GM is in complete chaos. In just about every car survey they are at the back of the pack in sales. It is a mystery how Mary Barra has kept her job. Their stock is approaching a decade low

    Reply
  22. GM Stock price has dropped 25% since Mary Barra took the helm of the company.
    She is unimaginative, unimpressive , and has no common sense , or class .
    The woman hasn’t a clue.

    Reply
  23. I’ve owned 2 ATSs and now a CT4. It is an excellent car to drive with a great suspension that combines a compliant ride with sharp handling. However, the engine is more suitable for a cheap econobox rather than a Cadillac. It sounds terrible, especially how it groans to a start when cold. It’s also LOUD when you hit it at all. The 270 hp turbo in the ATS was way better. If a buyer tests the BMW and then the CT4, no way they buy the CT4 because of the engine.

    Why can’t GM produce a refined 4 turbo?? That is all that’s needed to make CT4 sales acceptable.

    Reply
    1. There is no substitute for cubic inches.

      Reply

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