Just last year, Cadillac announced that it expected to have just 560 storefronts in the U.S. by the end of 2021, and it seems that the luxury marque has achieved that goal, as the Cadillac dealer network in the U.S. now totals 564 individual storefronts, down from 921 dealers four years ago.
Cadillac revealed this figure during a recent media presentation attended by Cadillac Society, stating that all of its current 564 dealer locations nationwide will be “EV ready” and are fully prepared to usher in the luxury marque’s all-electric lineup by 2030.
Over the last few years, the luxury marque has set sights on restructuring and overhauling its dealer network in order to support the sale and servicing of its upcoming onslaught of electric vehicles. The latest endeavor involved Cadillac dealers investing $200,000 toward the addition of items like EV charging stations, along with retooling service departments and upgrading the storefronts’ aesthetics. Dealers who opted out of the investment were eligible for a buyout that ranged anywhere from $300,000 to $1 million.
In total, approximately 150 locations within the Cadillac dealer network decided to accept the buyout instead of making the EV-related investments. Many of these dealers cited low customer interest in electric vehicles as the reason for dropping the Cadillac brand, many of which were located in rural areas.
Despite only having 564 locations nationwide, Cadillac retains more physical storefronts in the U.S. than any other luxury auto brand. Cadillac has decided to open new dealerships in markets typically associated with luxury, such as Beverly Hills and San Francisco, where consumers may be more receptive to luxury EVs and the pricing associated with them.
Cadillac’s first battery electric vehicle is the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq, which recently entered production at the Spring Hill assembly plant in Tennessee. Once the Debut Edition lands, order books for subsequent units will open on May 19th, allowing customers to begin ordering new units of the Lyriq directly through a Cadillac dealer instead of going through a lengthy reservation process.
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Frank Ricciardi
Cutting back on the number of Cadillac dealerships is a mistake. Since they closed the Cadillac dealer in Gainesville, I have to drive an hour, to Ocala, for service. It will be easier to lease a new BMW or Audi, when my current leases are up.
Quick Silver 1
Was just at my Cadillac dealership the other day. They do not have a single new Cadillac even though they have placed order on top of order for them for customers and to have to sell. Wait time was given to them a 3 to 6 months.
Little wonder the dealership count is dropping.