The Cadillac CT4 is one of three GM sedans left in the U.S. market (the other two being the Chevy Malibu and Cadillac CT5), but, as GM Authority has covered more than once, the CT4’s future remains uncertain, at best. Although GM might say the CT4 plays an important role in the Cadillac portfolio, the situation doesn’t look great, whether you’re looking at the falling sales or a dearth of future updates. As such, we’re still left wondering – how much longer can the Cadillac CT4 can hang on before it’s discontinued?
Let’s start with sales. In the time since we last visited this topic late last year, the sales situation has not improved, with the Cadillac CT4 still finishing dead last in terms of sales volume in the Luxury C-Segment for the 2023 calendar year, moving just 9,144 units during that time. By comparison, the segment-leader, the Acura Integra, sold 32,090 units during the same timeframe (note that the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Acura ILX have been discontinued):
Sales Numbers - Luxury C-Segment Cars - 2023 - USA
MODEL | YTD 23 / YTD 22 | YTD 23 | YTD 22 | YTD 23 SHARE | YTD 22 SHARE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ACURA INTEGRA | +146.33% | 32,090 | 13,027 | 42% | 20% |
AUDI A3 | +39.20% | 13,625 | 9,788 | 18% | 15% |
BMW 2 SERIES | +0.62% | 11,620 | 11,548 | 15% | 18% |
MERCEDES-BENZ CLA-CLASS | +11.82% | 9,802 | 8,766 | 13% | 14% |
CADILLAC CT4 | -1.37% | 9,144 | 9,271 | 12% | 14% |
MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS | -97.19% | 164 | 5,832 | 0% | 9% |
ACURA ILX | -99.97% | 2 | 6,296 | 0% | 10% |
TOTAL | +18.47% | 76,447 | 64,528 |
Looking ahead, the situation is unlikely to improve, given there is no indication of any sort of meaningful update or refresh on the horizon, something that’s desperately needed to make the Cadillac CT4 more competitive.
“The CT4 is in dire need of a freshening, especially when it comes to the cockpit,” says GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft. “However, we have seen zero evidence that GM is working on a refresh, with not a single prototype in sight. Contrast that with the CT5 refresh, which our spies caught in every single trim level prior to its reveal, and things seem to be looking somewhat dire for the CT4,” he added.
We reached out to Cadillac for comment. Cadillac spokesperson Joseph Singer neither confirmed nor denied the impending discontinuation of the Cadillac CT4:
“We do not discuss future product plans, but can say that the CT4 plays an important role in our product portfolio and brand strategy,” Singer told GM Authority in a statement.
Singer also highlighted certain aspects of the Cadillac CT4 U.S. sales figures for the 2023 calendar year, pointing out that the CT4 had record retail sales, and that total sales for V-Series and Blackwing models were up 55 percent. Sales for the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing in particular were up 42 percent year-over-year, also a record for the performance model.
Of course, while U.S. retail sales for the CT4 showed record numbers during 2023, overall sales were down. Additionally, the jump in sales for the high-performance CT4-V and CT4-V Blackwing could be attributed to low production numbers during 2022, in particular for the CT4-V Blackwing.
Looking ahead, one possibility is that GM will drop the CT4 in North America, but continue to offer it in the Chinese market.
“This would explain the absence of refreshed CT4 prototypes in North America,” says Luft. “This scenario would theoretically enable GM to increase production of the CT5 at the Lansing Grand River plant, thereby becoming potentially be more lucrative for the automaker from a financial standpoint.”
Regardless, if a CT4 refresh is in the cards, GM will need to announce it very soon.
“Time is running out for Cadillac to gain more than an also-ran status in the Luxury C Sedan segment,” Luft concludes.
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Comments
I’m hoping they continue and add the same dashboard as the CT5, in 2025. If they don’t, I’ll be looking at another manufacturer for my next car.
With all of the complaints/issues/problems with EVs in the news lately, maybe that will result
in continuing the CT4 even if no changes.
To keep it easy, a CT4 refresh could just be the dash, now that it is developed.
Maybe there were problems with the CT5 dash, so they just concentrated on that in the CT5.
GM might need these cars around as long as EV issues continue.
cim88sev86:
I see ads for both CT4 and CT5 all the time. Digital and TV. Cadillac did loads of ads for both models around the Holidays.
Mr. Luft is correct in his observations, I think. The CT5 sells a lot better than the 4, even in the US. The CT5 brings in more $ per unit, but costs little or nothing more to build, therefore it is more profitable. Since the 2025 updates (what few there are) have been commited to, I think the CT5 will be around at least 2 more model years to 2027. If sales stay something like they are now. In fact, without the CT4, sales of the 5 may slightly improve.
I have a ’21 CT4 and love it. I was hoping to replace it with a new version with the 2.7. Maybe not now.
In the “full speed ahead to EV bankruptcy 2.0” it’s a sure thing that the Cadillac sedans are on life support. I have less and less faith in the leadership of GM.
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My dealer stocks both. I think they have around 12 of each. What I notice though is my dealer has 3 CT-4 BW’s and only one CT5 BW. The 4’s are showing a 4K discount. The 5 is showing a 20K upward adjustment.
I’ll miss, from two blocks away, the iconic Kenworth Marker lights pulling out of a Walmart .
I am so disgusted with GM pushing their big profit SUVs and Giant Trucks on us, I have been a big-time loyal customer for more years than I want to say! If they stop making cars I will be buying offshore for sure! I DO NOT WANT A DAM SUV OR SILVERADO! If I can not reach the roof to wash it, I do not want it!!
I saw a CT4 development car with light camo and China badging at the Home Depot in Brighton, MI about a week ago. I didn’t hear it start up, but I’m guessing it must have been a V or V-BW. They can send them over there, but please continue making them for USA! I have a 2014 CTS 2.0L w/120k miles (has been a very good vehicle) so I’m looking at a CT4-V as a replacement.
Sh_ug:
Cadillac does not sell Vs or BW in China.
It was a development vehicle indicating a possible future application for China; the exhaust layout looked like it would be for a V or BW. We’re talking about future possible product not what is being sold currently
Mkatx can u give me state and dealer info. NY dealers may have a ct5 but no one has ct4 models