Cadillac Leaves the Door Open for Plug-in Hybrids

Cadillac is launching in Australia as an all-electric brand, but says it will monitor the market – leaving open the possibility of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

“We only have electric vehicles in our plans at the moment, not plug-in hybrids,” General Motors Australia and New Zealand managing director Jess Bala told Australian media.

“We have to watch and see, and you know, we won’t have a crystal ball in 10 years,” added Lauren Indiveri-Clarke, communications director for GM’s strategic markets, alliances and distribution partners division.

“At the moment the plan is fully focused on electric cars, but we will continue to monitor and see what the market does.”

These comments follow recent comments from Cadillac global boss John Roth, who appeared to want to soften the brand’s previously firm commitment to a global EV-only lineup starting in 2030.

The company still plans to offer a broad portfolio of electric vehicles by the end of the decade.

Parent General Motors (GM) has also confirmed it plans to introduce new PHEVs, after previously indicating it wanted to skip these and conventional hybrid vehicles in favor of a wide range of electric vehicles (EVs).

“We will have electric vehicles available and we are following customers at this point,” Cadillac global marketing officer Melissa Grady Dias told Australian media, echoing Mr. Roth’s comments about offering buyers choice.

“If you look at the evolution of the electric vehicle market, we will follow it and give customers the choice.

“Someone said in a meeting today that the last 90 days have been a little crazy. And if I look at 90 days and try to predict what’s going to happen in six years, I absolutely can’t.

“What I can tell you is that when the market is ready, whether it’s two years from now or six years from now for EVs, I think we’ll have the absolute best and very competitive EVs and EVs to meet those needs fulfill.

“We follow the customer, and like any good brand, we listen and follow our customers.”

While GM no longer offers plug-in hybrids in North America – having previously offered the Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid and ELR, among others – they will continue to be offered in China.

A plug-in hybrid version of the new Chevrolet Equinox was recently introduced, complementing the China-only Menlo station wagon.

GM CEO Mary Barra announced on an investor call earlier this year that the company would launch new PHEVs in North America, without specifying whether they would be under the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet or GMC brands offered there.

She said “select” models will be introduced in North America next year with a PHEV option.

“I want to be clear: GM remains committed to eliminating exhaust emissions from our light-duty vehicles by 2035, but in the meantime, the use of plug-in technology in strategic segments will bring the country some of the environmental or environmental benefits of electric vehicles. “continues to expand this charging infrastructure,” said Ms. Barra during the investor call.

“We are planning product launches to ensure compliance with proposed stricter fuel economy and emissions standards.

“And we plan to implement the program in a capital and cost efficient manner as the technology is already in production in other markets.”

Cadillac returns to Australia later this year with the Lyriq electric SUV and Ms Bala says there is “more”. [models] in the pipeline” with announcements coming “in the not too distant future.”

The brand has already introduced a whole range of electric SUVs, with BMW iX rival Lyriq joined by the smaller Optiq and the larger three-row Vistiq. The Escalade iQ sits at the top of the electric SUV lineup.

Cadillac has only introduced one electric car, the ultra-luxury Celestiq liftback.

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