Earlier in the decade, Cadillac executives set a course for the brand to be 100% electric by 2030. But times have changed, and now it appears the stance is softening a bit. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Cadillac Global Vice President John Roth said electric and combustion cars “will co-exist for several years” but did not offer a clear timetable.
“The one thing I have learned in my 30 years of experience in the automotive industry is that the automotive industry does not follow a straight line and there are no absolutes ” Roth said, according to a report from the Detroit Free Press. He said the company wants consumers to have “the luxury of choice” and that Cadillac is responsive to customer feedback. However, Roth also clarified that a full range of electric models is still planned for 2030.
We contacted Cadillac for more details on the subject. A spokesperson provided the following statement:
“Our journey to electric vehicles will not be a straight line. We understand that the market will evolve over the next six years and we will adjust as necessary. Ultimately, the customer will be our guide and determine the speed at which we will transition to electric vehicles showroom Our data indicates that 60% of luxury customers will consider an electric vehicle in their next vehicle purchase. Therefore, our plans to design, engineer and launch new electric vehicles. won’t stray. When those customers are ready, we’ll have the right vehicle for them.”
Cadillac is certainly not the first brand to take a revised look at an electrified future. Stellantis recently said it was open to combustion variants of electric vehicles if there is enough demand. Sales of electric vehicles have slowed in recent months for most brands, leading to production cuts by many companies and doubts about whether the electric transition will happen as quickly as previously thought. previously.
The Lyriq is the only electric vehicle in Cadillac’s lineup that people can buy right now, and with a starting price of $58,590, it’s an accessible crossover for luxury buyers. The Escalade IQ should be available later this year, although it will be a bit more expensive with prices starting around $130,000. There’s also the $340,000 flagship Celestiq, a limited-production halo vehicle, which goes up against ultra-luxury offerings from Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The Optiq and Vistiq are still listed as future upcoming models.
