Prime Highlights:
Cadillac aims for 30% to 35% of its U.S. sales to come from electric vehicles (EVs) in 2025.
By the end of 2025, Cadillac will offer five EVs, including the newly launched Escalade IQ and Optiq, along with the Lyriq, Vistiq, and Celestiq models.
Key Background:
Cadillac has set a bold target for 2025, aiming for between 30% and 35% of its U.S. sales to come from electric vehicles (EVs), signaling the brand’s ongoing commitment to electric mobility despite the industry’s slower-than-expected adoption of EVs.
The General Motors luxury division, which already offers the Lyriq, plans to expand its portfolio by introducing five electric models by the end of this year. These include the newly launched Escalade IQ, a luxury electric SUV, and the Optiq, an entry-level crossover. Other models in the pipeline include the Vistiq, a three-row crossover, and the high-end, bespoke Celestiq, priced over $300,000.
Brad Franz, Cadillac’s director of marketing, emphasized that the expansion of the EV lineup is intended to grow the business, not simply redistribute sales between internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and EVs. The push is part of Cadillac’s strategy to become the top-selling luxury EV brand in the U.S., excluding Tesla from the luxury segment definition.
In 2024, EVs accounted for 18% of Cadillac’s total U.S. sales, a notable increase over the previous year’s 8.1% of all U.S. vehicle sales, according to Cox Automotive data. Cadillac’s 2024 sales rose by 8.8%, driven by the strong performance of the Lyriq, which saw sales more than triple after its late 2022 debut.
While Cadillac initially aimed for an all-electric future by 2030, it has revised this goal in response to slower consumer adoption and external factors like policy shifts. The brand now emphasizes offering a diverse lineup, with EVs complementing its traditional gas-powered models. The Escalade IQ and Optiq are seen as crucial vehicles in Cadillac’s strategy. The Escalade IQ, starting at $130,000, is the largest electric SUV available, while the Optiq, priced from around $55,000, serves as a more affordable entry point into Cadillac’s electric offerings.
