mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

Zeekr Executive Disses Cadillac: ‘The Glory Of Detroit Is No More’

Chinese all-electric carmaker Zeekr is publicly feuding with Cadillac after the American luxury brand suggested that the new Cadillac Optiq would serve as a good replacement for Zeekr models. Zeekr, a premium EV brand founded in 2021 and owned by Chinese automaker Geely, provided a scathing response on social media, prompting “Cadillac vs Zeekr” to become a trending topic on the Chinese microblogging platform Weibo. In a post, Zeekr vice president Zhu Ling stated in Chinese that “the glory of Detroit is no more.”

The Zeekr-001. Cadillac suggested on social media that the Optiq would serve as a good replacement for the 001.

Zeekr 001

Per a report from CnEVPost, the squabble began with the launch of the 2025 Zeekr 007 sedan and 2025 Zeekr 001 shooting brake, both of which introduce significant upgrades over their predecessors, including advanced driver assist tech and faster charging speeds. The preceding models were released just six months prior. As a result, current owners are facing rapid depreciation.

Cadillac saw an opportunity to capitalize on Zeekr owners’ discontent in response to the new model rollout, making a post to Weibo suggesting that Zeekr was offering three model generations in the same year, devaluing its older models in the process. Cadillac also highlighted the Optiq crossover as holding 80 percent of its residual value after three years of ownership, adding the phrase “ZEEKER REPLACEMENT” [sic] in both Chinese and English.

Cadillac Optiq

The response from Zeekr didn’t pull any punches.

“The electric age, the rise of China, the glory of Detroit is no more,” wrote Zeekr vice president Zhu Ling. “It’s faster than you, it’s smarter than you, it’s younger than you, and it’s more affordable than you.”

“Time doesn’t go back, history doesn’t go back, see you in my mirror,” the Zeekr executive added.

The new Zeekr 007 sedan starts at 209,900 yuan (US$29,472 at current exchange rates, 8/26/2024) and features a single rear-mounted electric motor doling out 415 horsepower, accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds. Meanwhile, the Zeekr 001 shooting brake is priced at 259,000 yuan (US$36,366 at current exchange rates), producing 268 horsepower from a single rear-mounted electric motor and accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 7.2 seconds.

Zeekr 001

Cadillac has since deleted its original post.

Subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

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

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. Unfortunately he’s not entirely wrong. Cadillac has spent entirely too long living off of their reputation instead of living up to it. That doesn’t really work anymore in the US and it for sure won’t work in China where nobody grew up with Cadillac as a revered brand.

    Having said all that, I also think the Zeeker CEO is probably way too confident in even comparing his bland, derivative heritage-less products to established luxury brands with pedigree and long histories.

    Reply
    1. The only problem that I see with Cadillac and the established brands is that they’re all getting a rep for gouging, which started with the pandemic. IF the Chinese can find a way into the US, it’ll be just like the Japanese invasion all over again, and Detroit (and the other established brands) will do little about it. And get burned, big time.

      Reply
      1. Something is absolutely wrong with those prices listed here. Cars are not cheap to make in China just like they aren’t in Brazil. If they were, then GM wouldn’t have discontinued the Buick regal as like the Chevy Express van, they would have had a high profitargin and could have just sold several thousand each year. Instead they were loosing money on it. The Mercedes sprinter is also made in China and can’t compete with the ford transit and is considered a more premium van instead of a mass market modle. Polestar also owned by geely isade in China and can’t get anywhere close to the Cadillac proces and is moving to “pleather” seats for cost savings and saying it’s a “vegan seat” also China is looking to build cars in Mexico for cost reasons. Maybe this is like spane and France where starting MSRP reflects an empty shell with no AC, rear seats and maybe in this case, no battery? Per my understanding importing an caddie into China is subject to a 25% tarrrif, additional customs fees, not to mention shipping and overhead sales costs for a brand that the CCP only lets about 5000 of each modle sold per year being its a foreign brand. If I had to guess, the geely car once configured competitivly costs well over 6 figures.

        Reply
      2. It’s the dealers who are price-gouging not the manufacturers.

        Reply
    2. Having read the article again, I can somewhat understand Zeekrs reaction (though I still feel its disgusting, unprofessional, and condescending, and I still stand by what I said below). The other day I was watching TV with my Indian born and raised wife. And she was amused by a Hyundai commercial where they were comparing them with Toyota, Honda, and Ford. She, being a marketing professional, goes “is this allowed in the US?” and I said “This was always a thing in the US. Ads where they openly compare themselves to their competition. Though its less common these days I assume due to heightened legal risks of getting the competitions information wrong.” I feel this boiled down to a cultural misunderstanding. While I completely find Zeekrs response uncalled for, GM should have been mindful of the possibility that this comparing the competition marketing may not be the norm in China. Especially if as the article says, they are facing angry customers and are on the defensive against discontented owners, the last thing they needed was this insult to injury.

      As for Zeekrs arrogance, If Polestar, their Sino-Swedish sister company, which atleast has the backing of the Volvo name is struggling in the US, then Zeekr has no chance in hell of succeeding here. So their arrogant attitude may need a reality slap in the face because while Detroits glory is no more, Zeekr never had it to begin with.

      Reply
    3. Bravo Rocket Man . An outstanding comment !Cadillac has lived off its reputation of its glory days to long .
      The classic Cadillacs are beloved and desirable, by everyone? including very young people.
      Cadillac Girl Garage You Tube is a young woman finds, and works on them.
      People in Cosmopolitan Areas driving restored ;all new beautiful ones from their glory days.
      Cadillac-GMwas hurt by a sluggish, Wall Street investors, profit squeeze, not interested in product ( which makes success) , but scraping every dime out .
      China studies all of this .
      So do the A Koreans with Genesis.
      They have said their sedans are about competing- filling the market dropped by Cadillac, with the cruel elimination of the CT6 .
      Hence their cars have a flamboyant edge as Cadillac did .

      Reply
      1. The bulk of Genesis sales are in their GV80 and GV70. Their two SUVs. The sedans are moving along but certainly not selling in hot numbers here. I see more Cadillac sedans here in north NJ than Genesis sedans and Genesis SUVs are pretty common in these neck of the woods so its not like its an alien brand to the area.

        Reply
        1. I didn’t say they were selling well , but that Genesis was trying to go after the CT6 , large Cadillac segment they abandoned in the United States.
          By observation in my area , they are selling.
          Mature, and younger.
          I am glad Cadillac are selling what they are offering in the midsized sedan market .
          I hope they survive.

          Reply
          1. If the success of the Lyriq is anything to go by Cadillac will be fine and the Optiq will only help its sales. They aren’t doing bad. They just need fresh products. Their current crossover lineup is getting long in the tooth and they refuse to bring the redesigned XT5. I long said on these blogs when GM actually tries, they can make phenomenal products.

            Reply
  2. THIS is a prime example of why I will never buy a car from these people. I don’t care if all options are brands from their country or Tesla. I would go in 100% for the Tesla or choose a bicycle than to pick one of their cars and appease their condescending mentality. Imagine doing business with people that look down on you and your home which grants you the right to criticize the politician you so choose and live life like a normal free human being? At what point as customers are we going to put principles before anything else? Until they start showing professionalism and appreciation for the American people (they can say whatever they want about the American government), they can ram their cars up their tofu dreg tailpipe. I hope their arrogance (not confidence) lands up costing them big time. Its already starting to in their real estate industry.

    Reply
  3. I’ll stick with Cadillac. I’m certainly not turning my back on my fellow Americans. Do you think the Chinese will trash their own ppl making cars or anything else for that matter?

    Reply
    1. I would love to see how they handle a controversy whether is related to cheating (like VWs TDI emissions scandal), or a safety issue like the Ford Pinto, GM ignition key issue, Toyota unintended acceleration issue, and so on. Virtually every company is bound to experience one at some point. Their arrogance here pretty much speaks volumes. Should god forbid they have a serious safety flaw with their cars I can see them denying tooth and nail or even throwing the blame on customers. Being this isn’t China where accountability to anyone but the party is non-existent, and they can’t have their government backers help cover it up from the customers. This alone, should be plenty of reason to not buy a car from them.

      Reply
  4. Considering the tariffs they will see Chinese cars will be a tough sell. Canada is not going for 100%.

    The Chinese speak great English when things are right but forget English when things are wrong.

    If the Chinese Government does not hold their companies accountable they will lose. This is the same government that steals most USA designs as well top secret tech. We need to block them from coming in.

    Reply
    1. They think they steal top secret tech. The moment they make the mistake of an open conflict with us, they will quickly find out that stealing does not pay.

      Reply
  5. The Cadillac Optiq may be more expensive but it is a better looking vehicle, and probably better manufactured.

    Reply
  6. Zeerkr should address its customers depreciation concerns instead of claiming ‘Detroit glory is gone’.

    Reply
  7. Zeekr isn’t wrong. After 2 decades of Cadillac’s, I gave up on them 2 years ago. They simply don’t offer anything that appeals to me or gives me the upscale classy vibes they used to. Cramming under powered whiney 4banger turbo’s has been the bane of the last few years, creating more cabin noise and not so smooth driving. Lastly, their designs are far from unique and often resemble everything else. No Vision. (p.s. zero interest in electric, but maybe a hybrid).

    Crucify me, I don’t care. I was a huge Caddy lover at one point, then they forgot about me.

    Reply
    1. Your right . Cadillac lives off its glorious past , even by those who don’t understand or liked them .
      They led , and not followed.
      GM threw what they had st them, abd Cadillac built a spectacular reputation.
      They were not only Americas dream car , but in many parts of the world.
      My neighbor is a lady from Morroco .
      She drives a Cadillac, and her 40 year old daughter.
      Her father would have Cadillacs taken off the boat there .
      The King had them .
      In Japan Industrialists. had them, and Mercedes.
      The rich , and glamorous had them in Monnoco.
      Of course it was the car of Manhattan, Miami Beach, Hollywood.
      How such a successful brand could lose its way should be studied.
      Cadillac the legend !
      Quality, then style went down.
      Badge engineering .
      Wall Street pressure, now government – bankruptcy influence.
      Following Mercedes, and BMW.
      I will not buy a Crossover, or Escalade.
      I want to like the CT 5 , but it’s not for me.
      Cadillac people are hanging onto their traditional models .
      Some restoring older. even Classics.
      They are all LA
      Cadillac should have its own flair .
      I just don’t understand them at all.
      All we get are show cars never built.
      Well , when Cadillac built and sold show cars in
      showrooms they led the field.

      Reply
  8. Cadillac to Zeekr: “I don’t think about you at all.”

    Reply
  9. This is Cadillac gets for getting involved with China.GM should pull all their vehicles out of China and let Zeekr have it all and then when the people want a Cadillac they can go whistle Dixie 🤣🤣

    Reply
  10. If Cadillac thought pointing out that Zeekr is UPDATING their cars too fast (which is in turn making them better) then Zeekr was completely right. Cadillac’s Glory days are gone. Not staying competitive is how Cadillac fell from on top of the world to below Lexus. Now THAT is sad. Also, a company with a rich history and 120 years behind them shouldn’t have even made a comment at all. That’s how you can tell class has left the brand.

    Reply
  11. The “Mark of’. Excellence”

    Reply
  12. I knew Cadillac had lost their way when they moved their headquarters to NYC. they called it the city with future ideas. What car design or designer originated in NYC? Foreign makers were in or headed to California where 35 million people lived and bought increasing numbers of foreign vehicles.
    No company rating vehicles has Cadillac anywhere near the top. Only with Escalade has Cadillac found a market, designed and built the market segment leader. Escalade is keeping Cadillac profitable.
    It remains to be seen if Cadillac can sell enough profitable EVs to payback their investment.
    I only wish the Chinese EV makers failure and financial devastation.

    Reply
    1. That was a move made by that d!ps*** Johan de Nysschen (or as I like to call him, Johann de Namechange). The same useless president that spent his time renaming Audis lineup, then Infinitis lineup, then Cadillacs lineup. He did nothing useful for the brands except have this obsession with renaming everything. It comes to no surprise he wanted to rename the name of Cadillacs HQs even. And to your point, a better idea would have been to open up a software R&D facility in California, no need to move the whole damn HQ.

      Reply
  13. Entirely the fault of Mary T. Barra and sellout traitor Mark Reuss. Mark forgot, because of money, and Mary never even knew what business GM is really in. Stellantis is dying, Toyota is stumbling badly, and the clueless CEOs can’t grasp that they’re killing the golden geese that lay the golden eggs that fund the agendas of their elite bosses. GM needs a real car guy at the helm or it’s game over.

    Reply
    1. Dave,

      I think you are right. I know part of it is the inflation and economy where so many Americans can’t afford a new car but that’s not everyone. There are plenty of people who could afford a new car but I haven’t seen anything in years that stirred the emotions of the public and made people WANT a new car.

      It used to be said that Americans had a love affair with the automobile and that each of us are what we drive. People bought cars as a form of self-expression and out of a passion for them. How many people have car names as their usernames and passwords. I would venture to say a lot of them. But that love affair doesn’t extend to anything built today. ChevelleSS might be a frequent password but I’d bet nobody uses Equinox.

      The auto executives at the Detroit Three are simply failing to deliver anything exciting. What comes out of Detroit’s factories today are all the same bland, silver box’s with swoopy lines to create the illusion of style. They either have a 2.0 L I4 or a battery pack. Then they price that blandness at $60,000. Who in their right mind would buy that unless they absolutely need it. Cars from a few years ago are still going strong so much of the motoring public isn’t in need of something new. The carmakers, like GM which sells half of the cars in the US that they once did, need to make products that consumers will fall in love with again if they want to sell more of them. I don’t understand why Mark and Mary, and others, don’t get that.

      I am a car enthusiast and in my youth, I used to love this time of year when all the new cars came out. I had lists of my top-10 favorites that I’d buy if I was older. Today I’m older, have money but there’s absolutely nothing that intrigues me. So I keep driving what I have and miss the days when automobiles stirred my soul.

      Reply
      1. I agree. I loved cars in my younger years. Owned, 442s, Corvette, Cadillac, Cutlass Supreme and more.
        We recently replaced our Honda Pilot. It was a perfect vehicle for over 100K. Looking around we saw nothing exciting. So we chose a reliable, quality vehicle that fits our family needs…another Honda Pilot. A very nice Elite model. Recently turned in our leased Tesla. Looking around for a hybrid but in no rush. Again nothing exciting so far.
        .

        Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel