Cadillac dealers will begin preparing their showrooms to sell the automaker’s new line of electric vehicles as early as next month.
In a letter that was sent to Cadillac dealers this week, the American luxury automaker told dealers that it will begin performing upgrades to its brick and mortar stores shortly as it prepares for the arrival of the Cadillac Lyriq electric crossover early next year.
The company has hired ABM, a self-described leading provider in facility solutions, to go to dealers and assess the cost of the upgrades on a case-by-case basis. Cadillac will cover the cost of the assessment and will hire ABM to guide dealers through the utility upgrades, what charging equipment to purchase/install and how to train employees. Once the assessment is complete, the dealership will have the option of sticking with ABM as the upgrades are performed, or choosing another similar services provider.
Cadillac North America vice president Mahmoud Samara told Automotive News this week that hiring ABM will allow Cadillac to more easily determine the upgrades that need to be performed at each specific dealer to achieve a similar end result.
“There’s an entire infrastructure, an entire ecosystem, and it’s different dealer to dealer,” Samara explained “That’s why we have required that every Cadillac dealer go through this assessment and more importantly, offer them the turnkey solution.”
Cadillac dealers can expect to pay around $200,000 for the facility upgrades, the automaker said previously. It also offered buyout packages to dealerships that did not want to make the required investments, which ranged from $300,000 to around $500,000. A fifth of the automaker’s 882 dealerships took the buyout package, with some Canadian dealers also expected to take the buyout.
Samara said he hopes to see all ABM dealer assessments completed by the end of the second quarter. This will ensure the dealers are more than ready for the arrival of the Cadillac Lyriq electric crossover, which will begin rolling off the assembly line and arriving at dealerships in early 2022.
The dealership upgrades will include cosmetic elements, the installation of on-site vehicle charging stalls for electric Cadillac vehicles, upgrades to service areas and relevant training for both sales and service staff.
“We’re moving super fast,” Samara said. “Our goal is to have actions speak louder than words.”
Want to stay up to date on all things Cadillac? Then subscribe to Cadillac Society for ongoing Cadillac news coverage.
frederick dietz
I just wish that the Cadillac design studio had spent as much time on designing the their first electric vehicle as they are spending on design of the dealerships’ selling the EV. Am I the only person who is willing to say that this “emperor has no clothes” – I mean the first EV’s styling has very little appeal to me. Sorry.
Alex Luft
Are you referring to the Lyriq? If so, I’m pretty sure you’re in the minority in your thinking. It’s a stunning vehicle.
frederick dietz
Yes, I am referring to the Lyriq. To me the body is so “plain Jane”, and the grill looks ridiculous. Compare the attention to styling that the first Tesla S got, vs the styling the Lyriq has. Look, I’ll buy a Cadillac EV before I buy a Tesla due to GM brand loyalty (Corvette owner) but I wish the styling would have been better. Stunning to you, blah to me. No accounting for taste.
Raymond Ramirez
There is a saying: “For every person there is a different favorite color”. Maybe your taste of the Cadillac design is limited to you only. But most Cadillac fans love it! I agree with Alex.
Steven Toia
I agree with Alex. Stunning. Cadillac is really starting to shine and will continue. You have to see their cars in person and drive them. I just ordered a CT5V and I can’t wait to own it. This is coming from a person who drives a Masarati. Attention to detail, tech and drive experience was excellent. Mine is going to be in this new Rift color (like a chalk) and I can’t wait to use Super cruise! Once Cadillac figures out how to execute flagship showrooms and a true Luxury sales experience they will have the whole package and return to being the leaders in the industry.
Hary Nesteruk
As a Lexus Rx450h owner, I am impressed with the Lyrig. My SUV is now 11 years old and has years of life left in it. However, I am eager to go full EV provided the range and charging stations meet my need. I await comparing the Genesis EGV70 with the Lyrig in price, range, safety features and warranties. The Genesis Concierge 3 year service is just outstanding, top of the line safety ratings and features. I eagerly await the runoff.
Mike Hartman
Even if the EV’s built are boring, the specialty aftermarket, customizers, and hot rodders will fix that.
Randy Reneau
There must be something when all those dealers just take the money and split. Cadillac should give the upgrade if they think they can sell the EV’s. I only wonder how long Cadillac can last with selling $200,000 cars. And the Lyriq how much will people willing to pay when it comes from the regular Joe. I don’t think most people think that a Cadillac is a bargain that can buy a cheaper luxury car. No they sell a $40,000 cars, when the cheapest will be double that. I don’t see it, and besides how many will not like the wasted time charging the cars and founding locations on the road. Problems with charging stations not working, and the few and the crowded stations waiting to get changed. I think GM should go like Toyota and go the fuel cell route.
Duke Morgan
Range and charging the main problem.
Watched a few videos on You Tube of people with the Porsche Taycan.
Wow, what a horror show on the road during a long trip.
Can’t use Tesla chargers so they had to rely on Electrify America.
A lot of the chargers did not work. They had to move the car from
one charger to another. Plus, range, if it says it gets 300 miles per charge
you can bank on 200 miles. It’s like an ICE car, on the sticker it says 35 miles
per gallon, you won’t get that unless you travel at 55 miles per hour in perfect
conditions. Same deal with EV’s If you want 400 miles
of range you’re safer to get a car with 500 miles so you can get 400.
I don’t know how people with EV’s do it when taking a long trip.
Some pull into a charger with only 7 miles of charge left on the battery.
Then, the car tells you if you want to make it to your next charger you have to
slow your speed way down or else… out of juice.
Watched a video of a lady in LA, which apparently according to her are full of Tesla’s.
She had to recharge, and the place was loaded with Tesla’s all in line waiting. Took her
From 4pm to 6pm to finally wait, get a charger, then charge and get out of there.
There are about 160 thousand gas stations in the USA and about 30 thousand chargers.
If they are not Tesla, many people are finding issues with them not working.
Just for the record I still own an ICE car.
Raymond Ramirez
Range is not a problem because most EV owners never drive over 100 miles in any trip. And for charging, a true Cadillac lover has a home with electricity in the garage for overnight charging while we sleep. I have my own Level 2 EVSE (built from a kit) set up to 7.2 kW now, but upgradeable to 15 kW when needed, ready for the Lyriq.
Chris Cummings
Very hot and very cold weather are very hard on electric cars. Batteries like certain temperatures, and power/range goes down when those limits are exceeded. Moreover, range goes down when driver and passengers need air conditioning or (electric) heating. Lots of hurdles remain and it’s not clear how they will be surmounted. Reminds one of a movie line: “If you build it, they will come.”