The legendary manufacturer’s return to Great Britain signals the accelerating evolution of the automotive industry, with petrol-guzzling muscle cars making way for emission-free automobiles
An iconic name in the automotive world is making a clean break from its past and gearing up for a major return to the UK market following an eight-year absence.
American luxury brand Cadillac, which has long been associated with big V8s and bold design, will be offering a lineup of fully electric vehicles when it relaunches on British soil.
Cadillac’s return is a bold move by General Motors (GM), which established its European headquarters in Zurich back in 2021 as part of a renewed continental push. The first UK-bound model will be the Cadillac Lyriq, a premium all-electric SUV retailing at around £68,000, that has so far only been available in Switzerland, France, Sweden and Germany. It comes after UK drivers were warned over ‘avoiding’ road instead of having to follow new rule.
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According to CEO of GM Europe, Pere Brugal, the brand will focus solely on electric vehicles, with the UK being one of its key markets going forward. He told Autocar: “It is one of the [markets] that we’re focusing on right now.”
While the UK release date hasn’t yet been revealed, the CEO did confirm the Lyric will be available soon after final testing is completed in Ireland, and that Cadillac is aiming to launch in the UK with at least two models. But Mr Brugal declined to confirm which ones will be joining the Lyriq, saying: “We want to make sure we launch not only with one model portfolio. We want to make sure we launch with at least a two-model portfolio.”
The specifications of the Lyriq are impressive — the entry-level version offers a range of around 330 miles and generates 520bhp. Those wanting an extra boost can choose the performance-focused top-tier model, which increases power to 606bhp.
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However, as Mr Brugal pointed out, launching in the UK is not just about shipping cars across the Atlantic. The ability to import Cadillac’s growing portfolio will depend heavily on the alignment of emission regulations and safety standards between the US and Europe.
“If the regulations between the US and Europe harmonise, it will make our life easier,” he explained. “We will bring a lot of benefit to the final customer, because that will increase the range of options.” He also noted the possibility of designing a bespoke GM model specifically for European tastes.
Unlike previous Cadillac ventures in the UK, the relaunch will eschew traditional dealership networks. Instead, the all-electric models will be sold using an online-based model, supported by pop-up “experience” centres inviting customers to see, drive and configure their cars.
This strategic attempt to modernise the buying experience mirrors the approach used by other EV manufacturers such as Polestar.
As the Lyriq prepares to hit UK roads, Cadillac’s all-electric resurgence signals not just the return of an iconic brand, but also the accelerating evolution of the automotive industry, with tradition giving way to innovation and petrol-guzzling muscle cars making way for emission-free automobiles.
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