Cadillac will change how it calls its vehicles, ditching the current alpha-numeric names like CT6 or XT5 in favor of names like Escalade. The change was confirmed by Cadillac President Steve Carlisle, who was quoted as saying that “Escalade is an awesome name.”
The change will commence with the upcoming onslaught of Cadillac electric vehicles (EVs) in the 2022 calendar year.
Cadillac switched to a letter-based naming convention in the early 2000s with the likes of the CTS, SRX and STS. The luxury automaker then switched to a the current alpha-numeric nomenclature (CT# for sedans and XT# for crossovers) in 2014, with the XT5 and CT6 being the first to switch. The Cadillac Escalade is currently the only Cadillac model that doesn’t follow the alphanumeric naming convention.
At this point, we believe that the upcoming midsize Cadillac electric crossover – which was previewed earlier this year and that is currently in development – will be the first to use the new naming convention. The vehicle will likely replace the XT5 around 2022.
Carlisle didn’t mention if the new naming convention would be applied to Cadillac vehicles with internal combustion engines, but our sources say that this will be the case.
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Source: GM Authority
Xjug
Before the CT4/5 land they need to give them proper names there is no reason to wait. This is fantastic news!
Greg
It’s not as simple as ordering new name plates.
Cadillac is being inconsistent enough without changing names of existing vehicles overnight. It would delay introduction, cost a fortune, and only add to the perception of indecision.
Randy Rogers
What’s in a name, minimally an image, a story, romance, excitement, a joie de vivre, these alpha numeric nameplates were so we’re simply the failure of Marketing to create, retreating to a comfort zone with Euro’s, the Japanese and now Korean’s. That said, possibly Collections being named may be the most prudent offering various opportunities with-in Eldorado and Seville, while leaving Cimarron and Catera in the toy box of names.
A.J. Daoud
I have owned Caddies since my 20s..When everyone went foreign we stayed Cadillac. However as usual, GM screwed the pooch. Hopefully bringing name back a start but what about bring back quality elegant builds. Cad had many first in auto history (electric starter, lights. Power windows ect) I am sick seeing this brand being GM bastard child
Ralph Cole
I dont care how you name them. Just make them reliable and when you have screw up, own up to it and fix it. 8L90 transmission maybe a good place yo start.
Paul
Just when buyers are getting used to one thing they change again. No wonder Cadillac is having a rough go at getting a leg up in the market.
Alex Luft
Exactly. It’s one step forward, one step back.
At the end of the day, the product determines its success… not the name.
Greg
Agreed. I. Remember when Lincoln started switching to names. The Continental was the first (apart from Navigator which was never called anything else) and everyone was shouting “Fabulous !! Better watch out Cadillac!!” Etc. The car us a flop.
One thing the imports have over Cadillac (and Lincoln) is consistency. I was hoping Cadillac would choose one thing and then stick to it. I also thought the CT/XT nomenclature was a good one. Two letters denoting vehicle type and a number to indicate its place in the hierarchy. Simple and easy to understand.
And why, oh why, do they choose NOW to make this announcement so far in advance??
Joel
I don’t care about the name. Cadillac, find a way to use the BlackWing engine.
The Car Hound
Yes, consistent quality product is what brings success.
Changing from the alphanumeric back to product names is a lame marketing decision.
John
I agree! The ct6 is a great car , stay the course !
Art
I don’t get this. Someone at GM needs to tell Carlisle to stop talking. First, we had the Catera, then the CTS, and now the CT5. The CT6 was going to be cancelled, then it wasn’t, and now is it? The whiplash marketing inside Cadillac is starting to make my neck hurt. This is why the brand has no brand equity with consumers (sans Escalade).
John
I agree! The ct6 is a great car , stay the course !
John Engelman
This Titanic, called Cadillac, is sinking, and that moron, Steve Carlisle, is trying to rearrange the deck chairs…….
John Engelman
The XT6 just got a major trouncing in Motor Trend’s current issue (Feb.2020) by the new Lincoln Aviator. The closing sentence…..”Cadillac, you have work to do”! What a pos from Cadillac! Three awful vehicles, on an equally awful FWD based chassis, actually, the same one. This is the future of Cadillac. Go read the article………..
Frank Ricciardi
What disappoints me is that the XT5 will be replaced by am all electric SUV in 2022. At least I’ll be able to get one more when the lease is up on my 2017 XT5 in September of this year. Who knows where I’ll go after that, I’m not sure I’m ready for an electric. Too bad after more than 40 years, I may have to switch brands.