Written by Cadillac Cars
Cadillac Cars have been the luxury models of General Motors since 1909, and the brand is best known for the Escalade, the tailfins of the 1950s and early firsts such as the electric self-starter. This guide covers the current Cadillac lineup, as well as the company’s history and ownership, its biggest achievements and its racing history.
Cadillac Cars at a Glance
Founded 22 August 1902 Grew out of the Henry Ford Company
Founders William Murphy, Lemuel Bowen, Henry M. Leland Leland supplied the engine
Headquarters Detroit, Michigan Luxury division of General Motors
Owner General Motors Since 29 July 1909 · NYSE: GM
US sales 2025 173,515 Up 8.3%; best year in a decade
Leadership Kristian Aquilina Vice president of Global Cadillac since January 2026
Cadillac Cars Model Lineup
Cadillac Cars for 2026 include gas and electric models side by side, so the list below shows the core range in North America, grouped by type. The electric Optiq, Lyriq, Vistiq and Escalade IQ now outnumber the gas SUVs, while the gas Escalade is still the best-seller. Meanwhile, the XT4 and XT6 ended North American production in 2025, and the CT4 and the current CT5 end in 2026.
Gas SUVs (2)
Full-size SUV
Cadillac Escalade
Gas V8 3 rows
The Escalade is Cadillac’s best-selling model, with 49,366 sold in the US in 2025. The current fifth generation arrived for 2021, and it also comes as the longer ESV and as the 682-hp Escalade-V. It is built in Arlington, Texas.
Mid-size crossover
Cadillac XT5
Gas 2 rows
The XT5 was Cadillac’s second-best-selling model in 2025, with 24,702 sold in the US. Although it was due to end in 2025, GM then kept it in production in Spring Hill, Tennessee, until the end of 2026, before a new gas model takes over.
Electric SUVs (4)
Compact electric SUV
Cadillac Optiq
Electric All-wheel drive
The Optiq is the smallest electric Cadillac, and it reached North America in early 2025. It is built in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, as well as in China, while a sportier Optiq-V joined the range for 2026.
Mid-size electric SUV
Cadillac Lyriq
Electric 2 rows
The Lyriq was the first of the new electric Cadillacs when production began in Spring Hill, Tennessee, in May 2022. It has an EPA range of up to 326 miles, and for 2026 it also comes as the 615-hp Lyriq-V.
Three-row electric SUV
Cadillac Vistiq
Electric 3 rows
The Vistiq is a three-row electric family SUV, and it is built alongside the Lyriq in Tennessee. Since it went on sale in 2025 as a 2026 model, it sold 7,879 in the US in its first year.
Electric full-size SUV
Cadillac Escalade IQ
Electric 3 rows Up to 450 miles
The electric Escalade IQ is built at GM’s Factory Zero plant in Detroit, and its huge battery gives an estimated range of about 450 miles. In addition, a longer Escalade IQL was added in 2025, in the same way as the gas ESV.
Sedans (4)
Compact sedan
Cadillac CT4
Gas Final year
The CT4 is Cadillac’s smallest sedan, and it is built in Lansing, Michigan. However, production ends in 2026, so this is its final model year, and there is no direct replacement.
Mid-size sedan
Cadillac CT5
Gas Rear or all-wheel drive
The CT5 is a rear-wheel-drive sports sedan, also built in Lansing. The current generation ends after 2026, although GM has confirmed that a new CT5 will follow, and it will keep a gas engine.
Performance sedan
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Gas Supercharged V8 Manual
The CT5-V Blackwing uses a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 668 hp. It is also one of the few sedans still sold with a six-speed manual gearbox, while a 10-speed automatic is optional.
Hand-built electric sedan
Cadillac Celestiq
Electric Made to order
The Celestiq is the flagship, and it is hand-built at GM’s Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, at about two cars a day. Each car is made to order, and the price was reported at about $340,000 in 2025, when the first customer car was delivered.
What Is Cadillac Cars?
Cadillac Cars are the luxury models of the Cadillac division of General Motors, which is based in Detroit, Michigan. The company was founded on 22 August 1902 from the remains of the Henry Ford Company, after Henry Ford left following a dispute with his investors. The backers, William Murphy and Lemuel Bowen, then called in engineer Henry M. Leland, who persuaded them to keep building cars with his proven single-cylinder engine.
The name comes from Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the French explorer who founded Detroit in 1701, and the Cadillac crest is based on his coat of arms. When Cadillac won Britain’s Dewar Trophy in 1908 for its interchangeable parts, it also took up the slogan “Standard of the World”. General Motors then bought the company on 29 July 1909, and Cadillac has been its luxury brand ever since. Leland himself later left in 1917 and founded Lincoln, which Ford bought in 1922.
Today Cadillac Cars sell alongside Chevrolet, GMC and Buick within General Motors. Although Cadillac once planned to be fully electric by 2030, it now offers gas and electric models side by side, because demand for electric cars grew more slowly than expected. As a result, its 2026 range includes five electric models as well as the gas Escalade, the XT5 and the CT sedans.
Cadillac Cars History
Cadillac Cars grew from a failed Henry Ford venture into the luxury brand of General Motors, and then into a Formula 1 team.
- 1902 Cadillac is founded on 22 August, and its first Runabout and Tonneau are completed in October.
- 1903 When the first cars are shown at the New York Auto Show in January, they win more than 2,000 orders.
- 1908 Three Cadillacs are taken apart and rebuilt from mixed parts in Britain, so Cadillac wins the Dewar Trophy.
- 1909 General Motors buys Cadillac on 29 July.
- 1912 The Model Thirty becomes the first production car with an electric self-starter.
- 1915 Cadillac then introduces its 70-hp V8, the first mass-produced V8 engine.
- 1927 The smaller LaSalle brand, designed by Harley Earl, is launched and sold until 1940.
- 1930 Cadillac introduces the first V-16 engine, with 165 hp.
- 1948 Tailfins appear on Cadillacs for the first time, and later they reach their peak in 1959.
- 1950 Two Cadillacs entered by Briggs Cunningham finish 10th and 11th at Le Mans.
- 1967 The Eldorado is relaunched with front-wheel drive as a personal luxury coupe.
- 1968 Cadillac sales pass 200,000 in a year for the first time.
- 1999 The first Escalade goes on sale, just ten months after the project was approved.
- 2017 The DPi-V.R wins the Rolex 24 at Daytona in its first year, as well as the IMSA title.
- 2022 Production of the electric Lyriq begins in Spring Hill, Tennessee.
- 2026 Finally, Cadillac joins Formula 1, using Ferrari engines until GM’s own arrive.
Iconic Cadillac Models
These six cars shaped the reputation of Cadillac Cars, from the first single-cylinder car to the first Escalade.
1902–1903
Cadillac Model A
Single cylinder First Cadillac
The first Cadillacs used Henry Leland’s 10-hp single-cylinder engine. After they were shown in New York in January 1903, Cadillac took more than 2,000 firm orders.
1909–1912
Cadillac Model Thirty
Electric starter Dewar Trophy
The 1912 Model Thirty was the first production car with an electric starter, so drivers no longer had to crank the engine by hand. As a result, Cadillac won a second Dewar Trophy.
1930–1940
Cadillac V-16
V16 4,076 built
The V-16 was Cadillac’s top model for a decade, and it had the first V-16 engine. However, the Great Depression cut demand, so only 4,076 were built in 11 years.
1959
Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
Tailfins Convertible
Tailfins reached their peak on the 1959 Cadillacs, which also had twin bullet tail lights. In addition, a 1959 Cadillac ambulance by Miller-Meteor later became Ecto-1 in the 1984 film Ghostbusters.
1967
Cadillac Eldorado
Front-wheel drive Personal luxury
For 1967 the Eldorado was redesigned as a front-wheel-drive hardtop coupe, and it set a new standard for American personal luxury cars.
1999
Cadillac Escalade (first generation)
SUV 10 months to production
Cadillac’s first SUV was rushed out for 1999 to compete with the Lincoln Navigator. Since then, the Escalade has grown into the brand’s best-selling model.
Who Owns Cadillac Cars?
Cadillac Cars are built by General Motors, which has owned Cadillac since 1909. Cadillac is a division of GM rather than a separate company, so it has no shares of its own. Instead, it shares platforms, factories and technology with the other GM brands. When AutoGathering has a page for a brand, its name below links to that page.
Parent company General Motors NYSE: GM · Detroit, Michigan · Mary Barra is chair and CEO
This page Cadillac Luxury division of GM since 1909
Performance Cadillac V-Series Sport models, from the CT5-V to the Escalade-V
Racing Cadillac Formula 1 Team Entered Formula 1 in 2026
China SAIC-GM Joint venture that builds Cadillacs in Shanghai and Wuhan
GM sister brands
Cadillac shares factories, engines and electric platforms with the other General Motors brands.
In addition, the Cadillac Formula 1 team uses Ferrari power units until General Motors starts building its own, which is planned for 2029.
Earlier history and former brands
- Henry Ford Company (until 1902) The company Cadillac grew out of, after Henry Ford left.
- Independent (1902–1909) Cadillac Automobile Company until General Motors bought it on 29 July 1909.
- LaSalle (1927–1940) A smaller companion brand, designed by Harley Earl.
- Lincoln (from 1917) Founded by Cadillac co-founder Henry Leland after he left GM, and later sold to Ford.
Cadillac Cars Accomplishments
The record of Cadillac Cars rests on early engineering firsts, as well as on design, sales and a racing program that has won at Daytona.
1908
First US winner of the Dewar Trophy
Three cars were taken apart into 721 parts each, mixed and then rebuilt, so Cadillac proved its parts were interchangeable.
1912
Electric self-starter
The Model Thirty was the first production car without a hand crank, and it earned Cadillac a second Dewar Trophy.
1915
First mass-produced V8
Cadillac’s 70-hp, 90-degree flathead V8 arrived in 1915, long before V8s became common in American cars.
1930
First V-16 engine
When the V-16 was introduced in January 1930, it had 165 hp, and it then stayed Cadillac’s top engine until 1940.
390,458
Global sales in 2019
It was a record year for Cadillac worldwide.
173,515
US sales in 2025
That was up 8.3% and the best result in a decade, while GM estimates Cadillac also led the US luxury electric car market.
4
Rolex 24 wins in a row
The DPi-V.R won the 24 Hours of Daytona every year from 2017 to 2020.
2026
Formula 1 debut
After its entry was approved in March 2025, Cadillac started racing in Formula 1 as a new team in 2026.
Cadillac Racing History
Cadillac Cars first raced at the Circuit de la Sarthe in 1950, and today Cadillac Racing runs hybrid prototypes in IMSA and the World Endurance Championship. Its biggest wins have come at Daytona and Sebring, while in 2026 it also started racing in Formula 1, beginning at Albert Park in Melbourne.
24 Hours of Le Mans, 1950
Le Monstre at Le Mans
10th and 11th Briggs Cunningham
American sportsman Briggs Cunningham entered two Cadillacs at Le Mans in 1950. The Coupe de Ville of Sam and Miles Collier finished 10th, while the streamlined roadster nicknamed Le Monstre, driven by Cunningham and Phil Walters, was 11th.
IMSA, 2017–2022
Cadillac DPi-V.R
4 Rolex 24 wins 27 wins
The DPi-V.R won the Rolex 24 at Daytona four years in a row, from 2017 to 2020. In addition, it won the IMSA prototype titles in 2017, 2018 and 2021, with 27 wins from 59 races.
IMSA GTP and WEC Hypercar
Cadillac V-Series.R
2023 IMSA title Le Mans pole 2025
The hybrid V-Series.R replaced the DPi in 2023, and it won the 12 Hours of Sebring and the IMSA title in its first season. Later, in 2025, Cadillac took its first Le Mans pole with an all-Cadillac front row, and then won its first WEC race at São Paulo with a one-two.
Formula 1, 2026–
Cadillac Formula 1 Team
Ferrari power Pérez and Bottas
Cadillac joined Formula 1 in 2026, with Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas as drivers. For now it uses Ferrari power units, while GM plans to build its own engines from 2029. The team works from bases in Indiana, North Carolina, Michigan and Silverstone, England.
Talk Cadillac With Other Owners
Cadillac owners have plenty to share, whether it is a restored 1959 Eldorado or a new Lyriq. Soon, AutoGathering will connect this page to a Cadillac community space where owners and enthusiasts can compare models, share maintenance tips and plan meetups.
- Escalade ownership
- Electric Cadillacs and charging
- V-Series and Blackwing
- Classic Cadillac restoration
- Tailfin-era cars
- Maintenance and repairs
- Cadillac meets and events
- Buying used
Cadillac Cars FAQ
Who founded Cadillac?
Cadillac was founded on 22 August 1902 by William Murphy and Lemuel Bowen, the former backers of the Henry Ford Company, together with engineer Henry M. Leland. Leland also supplied the engine for the first cars.
Why is it called Cadillac?
The company was named after Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the French explorer who founded Detroit in 1701. The Cadillac crest is also based on his coat of arms.
Who owns Cadillac Cars?
General Motors owns Cadillac Cars and has done so since 29 July 1909. Cadillac is GM’s luxury division, so it sits alongside Chevrolet, GMC and Buick.
What is Cadillac’s best-selling model?
The Escalade is the best-seller, with 49,366 sold in the US in 2025. The XT5 came second with 24,702, while the Lyriq was the best-selling electric Cadillac with 20,971.
Where are Cadillac cars made?
Most Cadillac cars for North America are built in the US: the Escalade in Arlington, Texas, the Escalade IQ in Detroit, the Lyriq, Vistiq and XT5 in Spring Hill, Tennessee, the CT4 and CT5 in Lansing, Michigan, and the Celestiq in Warren, Michigan. The Optiq, however, comes from Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.
Is Cadillac going all-electric?
Not for now. Cadillac once planned to be fully electric by 2030, but it has since slowed that plan, so it keeps gas models such as the Escalade and the XT5 alongside five electric ones. GM has also confirmed a new gas-powered CT5.
Does Cadillac race in Formula 1?
Yes. The Cadillac Formula 1 team started racing in 2026, with Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas as drivers and Ferrari power units until GM’s own engines arrive, which is planned for 2029.
Has Cadillac ever won Le Mans?
Not overall. Cadillac Cars first raced at Le Mans in 1950, when they finished 10th and 11th, and the best modern result so far is third overall in 2023. In 2025, however, Cadillac took pole position with an all-Cadillac front row.
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Compare Cadillac Cars with its GM sister brands and its biggest luxury rivals.
Photo credits
- Header image: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV at a…: BuickCentury04, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ electric SUV in…: Wlb5V, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Cadillac XT5 Luxury crossover in Red Horizon…: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Blue 2026 Cadillac Optiq electric SUV in…: BuickCentury04, Public domain, cropped and resized.
- Cadillac Lyriq electric SUV in Satin Steel…: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
- 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Sport three-row electric SUV…: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Cadillac Celestiq electric sedan on display at…: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Cadillac CT4 Luxury sedan in Summit White: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Cadillac CT5-V sedan in Queens, New…: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Black Raven Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing sedan: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 1902 Cadillac Model A at the Toyota…: Iwao from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- 1908 Cadillac Model Thirty touring car: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- 1931 Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton at the…: Rex Gray, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz at the London…: MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 1967 Cadillac Eldorado at a car show…: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- First-generation 1999 Cadillac Escalade in Silver Sand,…: Cutlass, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Briggs Cunningham's Cadillac Le Monstre from the…: Prova MO, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R at…: Osajus, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team Jota V-Series.R…: MarcelX42, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Sergio Perez driving the No. 11 Cadillac…: Lukas Raich, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.