Cadillac's back? Holden's former sister brand expected to lead GM's electric car push in right-hand-drive markets

After years of rumours, and a false start back in 2008, it looks as though premium US brand Cadillac will return to Australia.

According to a report on GM Authority, a well-placed source confirmed that Cadillac will build vehicles in right-hand configuration at the factory, meaning a possible return to markets like Australia and New Zealand, as well as the United Kingdom, South Africa, and an expanded presence in Japan where Cadillac is already sold as the country allows some left-hand-drive imports.

The General Motors-owned brand has shifted focus significantly in recent years, with a serious push into EV territory using GM's Ultium battery platform.

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And it's electric cars that are expected to lead the push. EVs will be produced in both left- and right-hand drive, but internal combustion engine models like the CT5 performance sedan will not be part of the RHD factory program.

GM ended production of RHD models from Chevrolet and other brands years ago under a plan that saw the American giant focus on more profitable LHD markets, like North America and China.

In Australia, GM closed its Holden operation in 2020 as a result of a number of factors. One was the fact that the Thailand factory where the RHD version of the Colorado ute was built was being sold to Chinese giant GWM, leaving Holden without a one-tonne ute. The sale of Opel and Vauxhall to France's PSA Group also impacted Holden's sourcing.

Since then, the only RHD factory model from GM is the C8 Chevrolet Corvette that is available in Australia and New Zealand. The Silverado 1500 pick-up is imported in LHD guise and converted to RHD in Melbourne by GMSV.

GM Australia and New Zealand is yet to confirm the Cadillac return, but it is scheduled to make a major a in November.

“GM participates in select right-hand-drive markets around the world. We have previously said that the modular Ultium platform and EV architecture offer greater flexibility in vehicle configurations. We do not have any product announcements to share at this time but stay tuned,” the company said in a statement.

The coming electric version of the Escalade IQ could also be on the cards.

The famed American luxury brand last sold cars in Australia in the late 1960s, but it very nearly came back to Australian shores in 2008.

GM even signed up 16 dealers and had imported 89 examples of the CTS sedan before company management pulled the pin on the program at the 11th hour due to the Global Financial Crisis.

Given Cadillac's petrol models won't make it here from the factory, don't expect to see too many Escalades, or the CT4 and CT5 sedan.

Instead, the likely first model will be the Lyriq electric SUV that's already on sale in the US. The coming electric version of the Escalade IQ could also be on the cards.

It's unclear how it will work from a dealer perspective, and what price point the Lyriq will have when it lands, but it could well line up with rival EV SUVs of a similar size from BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.