Cadillac News

Cadillac's design bosses believe it will be fairly straightforward talking buyers out of their Audis, BMWs and Benzes with new electric cars.

Cadillac has detailed its Optiq electric car, which becomes the US brand’s smallest EV SUV. 

The top-end luxury electric car market is about to get a lot more crowded.Cadillac is coming to Australia at the end of the year with its Lyriq electric SUV to rival the Mercedes-Benz EQE and BMW iX.The American luxury car brand synonymous with US Presidents, celebrities and royalty has its sights set firmly on the big German brands and will price their vehicle accordingly, said local boss Jess Bala.“We are targeting the European luxury brands and our price will be right in the realm of where their equivalent entries are,” said Bala.That would put the Lyriq’s starting point in the circa-$130,000 range. The Lyriq has some impressive numbers on paper.It uses two electric motors that deliver 373kW and 610Nm to all four wheels. A giant 102kWh battery provides a driving range of up to 530km.The brand couldn’t provide details of what models would be added to the range but said more are coming and it would have a full portfolio.“We listen to customers, we are guided by the segments that are growing and that people are asking for entries for,” said Bala.“Cadillac has made some announcements already, so you’re getting a bit of a hint there but we will definitely make our own announcements locally in the not too far future.”This means vehicles such as the smaller Optiq, seven-seat Vistiq and giant Escalade iQ SUVs could be on the cards for Australia.Sales of electric cars are soaring in Australia, but the growth is being driven mainly by more affordable Chinese brands and Tesla.High-end electric cars from premium bands have been slow sellers, but Bala wasn’t concerned.“No, I think there is still definitely a growth opportunity here as well. It’s still something that is very fluid that is obviously evolving,” said Bala.Cadillac in the US announced it would persist with petrol-powered vehicles for the foreseeable future but Bala ruled out any of those vehicles coming to Australia.The brand didn’t take plug-in hybrids off the table, though.“We will have to watch and see, we don’t have a crystal ball for the next 10 years from now and so I’ll say the plan is now fully EV but we’ll have to continue and watch what the market’s doing,” said a Cadillac spokesperson.

The American brand known for its big, luxurious sedans and SUVs had planned to be EV-only by 2023 but not any more according to reports.

Another potential model to join the Cadillac Lyriq when the brand makes its much-anticipated launch in Australia has been revealed in the US overnight, the Cadillac Vistiq.

General Motors (GM) has revealed that Australia played an important role during the planning stages of its latest BEV3 electric vehicle (EV) architecture.

General Motors (GM) is back in a big way in Australia, and there’s more to come.

Cadillac is officially returning to Australia next year.

The Optiq could be Cadillac Australia’s next all-electric model following the Lyriq large SUV as the brand looks to expand its portfolio and gain a better foothold Down Under.

General Motors (GM) will finally return to Australia with factory-built and right-hand-drive-engineered SUVs for the first time since the demise of Holden in 2020, starting with the Cadillac Lyriq electric vehicle (EV).