GM is reconsidering its investment in electric vehicles and it’s finally coming for what Toyota seems to sell a ton from: hybrids. The first of these hybrids were needed yesterday, but we won’t see them until 2027. That’s when each GM division will launch a hybrid or plug-in hybrid model. Just don’t expect to see one from Cadillac.
Report from Newsweek confirms that Cadillac is maintaining its plan for electric vehicles and gas-powered models through 2030. Even though GM CEO Mary Barra committed during interview last weeksaid Stephanie Obendorfer, senior communications manager for Cadillac Newsweek that the automaker will stick with its current plan for electric and gasoline vehicle models, and that ultimately customers will decide which direction the brand will go.
While Cadillac will offer a lineup of all-electric vehicles by 2030, we will let customer behavior determine the pace at which we go exclusively electric. Our fresh portfolio of ICE and electric vehicles and malleable manufacturing puts us in a good position to transform at market pace.
Apart from electricity Lyriq and super exclusive CelestiqCadillac will launch three electric vehicles in the next year or so: This massive one IQ Escaladesimilar to XT6 Wistiq and compact Optiq. This is in addition to the usual range of gas-powered vehicles.
While some might say the lineup is a good combination, industry analysts disagree. President and Chief Automotive Analyst at AutoPacific Ed Kim said Newsweek that Cadillac’s electric vehicle plans will attract younger customers to the brand but may discourage buyers who are not yet ready for an electric vehicle; hybrids would be a good solution for those customers who are hesitant.
…adding hybrid vehicles would be a good move because many competing luxury brands are currently doing so, and ignoring them could leave customers who would be considering Cadillac and are interested in electrification – rather than full electric vehicles – without the right products to choose from. GM offers many hybrid and PHEV powertrains in China, so it may make sense to leverage its global resources to introduce hybrid powertrains for the Cadillac brand.
Models like the Escalade and XT5 would benefit greatly from having a hybrid option. Let’s hope Cadillac doesn’t regret its “either EVs or nothing” stance.
