Cadillac is gearing up for an all-electric future, with plans to phase out its internal combustion lineup and transition to a fully electric vehicle portfolio by 2030. John Roth, the vice president of global Cadillac, has stated that internal combustion models will coexist with electric vehicles for several more years. However, industry forecasters believe that the gasoline-powered lineup will eventually be phased out, although the exact timing is yet to be determined.
The luxury brand has already announced the production of the Celestiq, an ultraluxury electric fastback sedan. Production is set to begin in December, with sales starting early next year. The Celestiq will be hand-built at General Motors’ Global Technical Center in Michigan and is expected to have a starting price in the low $300,000s. Each Celestiq will be unique, allowing buyers to customize their vehicles through Cadillac’s concierge service.
Cadillac’s upcoming electric lineup also includes the Escalade IQ, a full-size SUV, which will be unveiled in August. The Escalade IQ is projected to go on sale in early 2024 and will be manufactured at GM’s Factory Zero plant in Detroit. Additionally, Cadillac plans to introduce a large three-row electric crossover in 2025 and has trademarked several names for future models, including the Escalade IQL, Optiq, Ascendiq, Lumistiq, and Vistiq.
The brand’s first electric vehicle, the Lyriq midsize crossover, is expected to receive a refresh in 2026. As for smaller crossovers, Cadillac may introduce one or two electric models smaller than the Lyriq by the first half of 2025. Recent images released by Chinese government officials suggest a potential electric crossover named the Cadillac Optiq, which could fill the gap in size between the XT4 and the Lyriq. However, it’s unclear if the Optiq will be available in the United States.
While Cadillac is embracing an electrified future, the fate of its internal combustion models remains uncertain. The Escalade and Escalade ESV could end production in 2026 or 2027, but there is a possibility of updates and an extended production run due to their profitability. The XT6, Cadillac’s largest crossover, is expected to conclude production in 2025, while the midsize XT5 crossover is slated to go out of production in the same year. The compact XT4 will likely receive a refresh in 2022 before reaching the end of its production cycle in 2026. Similarly, the CT5 midsize sedan may receive a facelift in 2024 and be phased out in 2025 or 2026, while the compact CT4 sedan could undergo a facelift next year before being phased out around the same time.
As Cadillac sets its sights on an all-electric future, the transition from internal combustion engines to electric powertrains will undoubtedly impact the company and its factories. However, by continuing to produce gasoline-powered vehicles as long as there is demand and profitability, Cadillac aims to ease the transition while gradually shifting towards an electric lineup dictated by evolving market demands.
