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Cadillac Expects to Become Best-Selling Luxury EV Brand In 2025

GM has some big plans for Cadillac. In a recent media briefing attended by GM Authority, the brand’s chief, John Roth, stated that the luxury marque entered 2025 with some serious momentum, and he’s looking to ride that wave to achieve some big goals.

“I’m here to make a prediction today,” Roth said. “‘Cause all of this build-up has really come to this moment in 2025 to really deliver what Cadillac can deliver from a tier-one luxury segment. So a bit of a prediction for you, I know I normally don’t do this, but we are going to position Cadillac to be the best-selling luxury EV nameplate in the U.S. for 2025. Again, let me repeat that: best-selling luxury EV in 2025.”

Cadillac Lyriq and Escalade IQ charging.

Of course, that’s as long as we don’t count Tesla as a luxury brand. One could argue that the Tesla Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck are luxury vehicles, but the Model 3 and Model Y aren’t. Regardless, Cadillac is setting goals with the framework that Tesla isn’t a luxury brand.

Roth also boasted that the Cadillac Lyriq is America’s best-selling luxury EV. Again, that’s assuming Tesla doesn’t count as a luxury brand. The Tesla Model Y was the best-selling EV of 2024 by far, but the Lyriq’s 28,402 sales made it the best-selling electric vehicle from a legacy luxury brand in 2024.

Cadillac Optiq front end.

Indeed, Lyriq sales are strong and keep getting stronger. Volume was low when it first came out in 2022, but its sales have grown every quarter that it’s been on the market. Roth shared that the Lyriq has a 76 percent conquest rate, which means three-quarters of Lyriq buyers are new to the Cadillac brand. Half of those buyers are new to GM. This kind of conquest is exactly what the brand needs to be a leader in the luxury EV space. Additionally, 40 percent of Lryiq sales are in California.

Lyriq’s success is a good sign for future EVs from GM’s luxury brand, like the Escalade IQ and Optiq, which will begin deliveries this quarter. Looking ahead to the 2026 model year, the high-performance Lyriq-V and 3-row Vistiq will add more variety to Cadillac’s electrified lineup. Of course, there’s also the ultra-lux Celestiq, which is a very low-volume car but adds extra panache to the brand.

Cadillac Vistiq rear three quarter angle.

Roth teased that there are “more EV variants to come.” That includes the extended-length Cadillac Escalade IQL, but we also have to wonder what the plan is for electric Caddy sedans other than the Celestiq. With the CT4 and CT5 still in the fight as its rivals dwindle, Cadillac seems committed to offering luxury sedans with engaging driving manners, and we hope that will continue into the brand’s EV era.

George is an automotive journalist with soft spots for classic GM muscle cars, Corvettes, and Geo.

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Comments

  1. Go Cadillac! Love everything this brand is doing in terms of new products and racing efforts.

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  2. The Optiq is beautiful inside and out and should be a huge seller. I’d like to see a cheaper entry-level version, though. Not everyone needs AWD and 300 hp.

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    1. Optiq is as cheap is as it’s going to get… A fully loaded Equinox EV is right behind it price wise.

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    2. A cheaper Optiq would be. . .Buick’s first EV? LOL!

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  3. He’s right. Tesla ISNT luxury

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  4. Didn’t Barra claim GM would be selling one-million EVs by now and have Tesla on the run? GM should quietly set internal goals, achieve them and THEN they can brag. Making grandiose claims and then not even coming close to meeting them is not a good look. GM has done a lot of that in the EV era.

    Furthermore, unfortunately Cadillac has too many products based on Chevys to be a Tier 1 luxury brand. I’d put them in Tier 2 with Acura, Infiniti, etc. Tier 2 tends to be where you find “luxury” products built off of the bones of a commodity car.

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  5. Mother Mary said 400k in 2024 and 1M in 2025 (“Just a bit outside!”).
    I saw them all at the Detroit Auto Show yesterday – not impressive (except for the curb weight and acceleration).

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  6. Will selling to rental companies count in the total?

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  7. Please stop including any Tesla models in the luxury electric vehicle numbers None if them have luxury! Even my 2009 Chevy Equinox has more luxury than the Model Y!

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  8. Cadillac is really dreaming, EV sales will be weak for the next 10-15 years.

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  9. Your only choice is black interior trim with black carpet, same as every other new car on the road. Cadillac hasn’t made a real luxury car since the Deville and Eldorado.

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    1. So true! 1967 Eldorado’s came in 21 different exterior colors and 5 vinyl roof colors. With all the different variations of interior colors and style, you had a choice of 171 different interior colors, seat etc. combinations. That is a sign of a true Luxury brand and that Eldo was not a rebadged Chevy.

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      1. Yes! We needed the luxury to order a purple Cadillac with leopard skin interior!

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  10. Please ! I have a 2023 XT5. That had to go back with 17k for broken transmission.
    Had to be towed. dealer on Long Island has a 24 hrs dealer towing company. tow truck driver that works for dealer said they have own towing company. Because of EV’s. That’s not a good sign ?

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  11. Say what you want about the XTS, but it had more than 6 interior colors. My Platinum has light platinum with dark urban and cocoa accents interior, opus leather and soft touch everywhere, color keyed RUGS and seat belts, suede headliner, etc. That’s only part of it and to me it’s luxury.

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  12. Will Cadillac extend the XT5 or XT6 for the 2026 model year??

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  13. It’s pretty funny that GM is relying on the ICE line to keep their heads above water? GM should cut their complete ICE line and see if this dumb EV endeavors will have them sink or swim.

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    1. If the computer and cell industry thought the same way you would not be typing right now!

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  14. I think it’s great that Cadillac is selling a lot of EV’s. I’ve driven the Lyriq and I think it’s a great car, but I hate that Cadillac is leaving its traditional customers for dead. I don’t want an Electric Vehicle! I would love to have a new Cadillac CT6, but its only available in China. I also love the new XT5, but its only available in China. I love my XT6 and hope that Cadillac will update the appearance to be consistent with the new XT5, but if they do, it probably will be available in only in China. In my opinion, Cadillac is missing an opportunity to gain back some serious luxury market share…build and sell as many EVs as possible but also continue to build and sell good ICE products like the CT6, XT5 and XT6, in the US market.

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  15. I agree Frank! Do not leave the traditional customer with no other decision but to go elsewhere because of the lack of ICE vehicles. I understand the market is moving to EVs though the President does not seem to be a fan. But a more gradual change over seems prudent rather than an entire shutdown of ICE for Cadillac. Ultimately consumers will vote with their pocketbook.

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