General Motors luxury vehicle division Cadillac is handing a world first to Australia and New Zealand, with the launch of the all-electric Cadillac Lyriq SUV in right-hand-drive, signalling the return of GM’s luxury brand to Australia.
Cadillac unveiled the Lyriq SUV in August 2020 and began production in early 2022 with its North American market an unsurprising priority for the 2023 launch. Cadillac was also reportedly planning earlier this year on entering Europe as an EV only brand with the Lyriq.
In the past few weeks, Cadillac has begun rapidly expanding its global presence, with launches in Switzerland and Sweden to be followed by a long-awaited right-hand-drive launch in Australia and New Zealand.
The award winning Lyriq is based on parent company GM’s Ultium Platform and comes with a 102kWh Ultium lithium-ion battery, capable of delivering around 500 kms of range, although that is yet to be confirmed under standards used in Australia.
The all-wheel-drive Lyriq is powered by a pair of motors, one on the front axle and one on the rear.
“The Cadillac Lyriq, which will be available in Australia and New Zealand as a 2025 model, is a fully electric SUV that redefines modern luxury as the industry moves to electrification,” said John Roth, vice president of Global Cadillac.
“Cadillac is experiencing great sales momentum thanks to our strong product portfolio – and we are now expanding our business globally. The introduction of a right-hand-drive Lyriq will enable new opportunities in important markets where EV adoption is strong.”
Cadillac plans a transition to an all-electric brand by 2030.
“Launching our all-new, all-electric Cadillac EV business in Australia and New Zealand positions us well to be able to select the right models for these markets – just as we are doing with Lyriq,” said Jess Bala, managing director of GM Australia and New Zealand.
The launch of Cadillac and the Lyriq will focus initially on three major cities across Australia and New Zealand – Melbourne, Sydney, and Auckland. Dedicated “Experience Centres” will be established in each city while an online presence will allow customers to explore and buy online.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.