Cadillac Presents Another Celestiq as the Brand Expands Its Vision Beyond Electric Vehicles | Carscoops

      While electric vehicles are taking the spotlight, about 75% of Cadillac's sales are still attributed to internal combustion engine (ICE) models.

      On August 26, 2025, Cadillac celebrated the delivery of another Celestiq to its fortunate owner, marking that approximately 25% of its sales now come from electric vehicles (EVs). The brand is also preparing to introduce a new XT5 model.

      After a significant delay, Cadillac commenced Celestiq deliveries earlier this year, and the pace has since increased, with the most recent delivery going to Mark Mitchell from Michigan.

      Mitchell's luxurious flagship was presented during a private ceremony at The Daxton Hotel in Birmingham yesterday. Although Cadillac House is situated nearby in Warren, the hotel's ownership by Mitchell made it a fitting venue for the occasion.

      In addition to receiving his Siku Tricoat Celestiq, featuring a Camelia and Sheer Gray interior, Mitchell had his vehicle autographed by GM President Mark Reuss, who attended the event. Expressing his excitement, Mitchell stated, “The vehicle completely surpassed my expectations.”

      As a reminder, this vehicle is equipped with a dual-motor all-wheel drive system that generates 655 horsepower (488 kW / 664 PS) and 646 lb-ft (875 Nm) of torque. It is powered by a 111 kWh battery pack, offering around 303 miles (488 km) of range.

      A Brand Revitalization and the Upcoming XT5

      While the Celestiq signals Cadillac's re-entry into the ultra-luxury market, John Roth of Cadillac recently acknowledged the challenges the brand faced as recently as 2015. He explained, “The product portfolio was good, but not great,” and they were overly reliant on incentives to entice buyers.

      This situation prompted a significant reevaluation and a substantial investment aimed at transforming the brand. Part of this strategy involved transitioning Cadillac to an electric-only lineup, which required the introduction of several new models, including the Optiq, Lyriq, Vistiq, Escalade IQ, and Celestiq.

      Although that plan was ultimately scrapped, Cadillac is launching many new products, with approximately 25% of its sales now coming from EVs. The company also reported that the Optiq, Lyriq, and Vistiq models are attracting new customers, with over 70% of buyers being newcomers to the brand.

      This is promising, but a majority of sales still originate from ICE vehicles. This poses a challenge as the XT4 and XT6 models are no longer in production, and the XT5 is becoming outdated. However, the company is addressing this concern, as Roth recently informed dealers about the next-generation XT5.

      The redesigned crossover is set to debut in the latter half of 2027, likely reflecting its Chinese counterpart. Nevertheless, the U.S. version will be manufactured in Tennessee and may feature a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 328 horsepower (245 kW / 333 PS).