Cadillac is coming back to Australia.
Hot on the heels of reports from the USA about Cadillac’s plans for right-hand drive production, sources familiar with the project have told CarExpert the brand is gearing up to sell electric cars through boutique showrooms in Australian shopping centres.
Those familiar with the project have confirmed the brand has been working to lock in its shopping centre spaces over the past few months, in anticipation of its upcoming launch.
The move to sell to consumers using luxury retail outlets instead of conventional showrooms mimics that of Hyundai’s luxury brand Genesis, and means Cadillac won’t be rubbing shoulders with the Chevrolet Silverado truck and Corvette supercar on General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) showroom floors.
It would also match the approach taken by Cadillac in Switzerland, which is leading the brand’s European charge with boutique-style luxury showrooms.
“GM participates in select right-hand-drive markets around the world. We have previously said that the modular Ultium platform and EV architecture offer greater flexibility in vehicle configurations,” a GM Australia spokesperson told CarExpert.
“We do not have any product announcements to share at this time but stay tuned.”
General Motors is expected to announce Cadillac’s return to the Australian market later this year, although an on-sale date for its range hasn’t been confirmed.
GM has trademarked the names for three Cadillac electric cars in Australia, ranging from the Tesla Model Y-rivalling Optiq and Lyriq SUVs to the extra large Escalade IQ four-wheel drive.
Reports from the USA claim the brand is gearing up to produce electric cars in right-hand drive for Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the UK.
Cadillac last officially sold vehicles in Australia in 1969, but 40 years later it came extremely close to returning to the local market with the second-generation CTS.
It officially announced the luxury sedan’s launch in 2007 and obtained local certification for its sale, with multiple dealers signing up to carry the brand alongside Hummer and Saab models.
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Cadillac CTS -
GM even imported several dozen CTS sedans, only for them to be diverted as the company cancelled plans to sell the brand in January 2009 just weeks before they were due to go on sale.
When it’s confirmed, the brand’s arrival Down Under will represent yet another step back into the fold for GM in Australia after Holden’s demise.
It returned to our market through GM Specialty Vehicles, which currently sells the Chevrolet Corvette and Silverado through a network of dealers that previously distributed hotted-up Holdens wearing the HSV badge.
