GM Returns to Europe With Electric Crossovers

In 2017, General Motors sold Opel and Vauxhall to Frances PSA Group — which later merged with Fiat Chrysler to form Stellantis — basically ending its involvement with the European market. However, the company vowed a return in 2023 and that’s now taking place in Switzerland.

The American automaker has officially confirmed that it has begun taking orders on the battery-powered Cadillac Lyriq crossover, with deliveries assumed to commence in the first half of 2024. However, the Swiss penchant for EVs is only serving as a springboard. Assuming things go well, GM wants to expand Cadillac EV sales to France and Sweden before deciding which country to tackle next.

Ideally, Cadillac wants to find itself in at least five European countries over the next couple of years. 

With the region boasting some of the highest take rates of all-electric vehicles, GM is clearly wondering if there’s room for it on the battlefield. Europeans have already started seeing an influx of Chinese EVs. But the European Union has launched a subsidy probe on all models originating from China (including those carrying domestic badges) — potentially causing trouble for the Lyriq, which is manufactured in both Spring Hill, Tennessee, and Shanghai, China.

To play it safe, GM plans on exporting from the United States. It also looks to be looking upmarket, as the midsize Lyriq crossover will start at around 82,000 Swiss francs (roughly $89,700 USD). At that price, GM will be competing with high-end luxury EVs from German manufacturers — which makes sense considering it’s also mulling over exporting the absolutely ridiculous $108,700 GMC Hummer EV.

The plan is to offer a full range of electric vehicles in Europe by 2030. But we imagine that’s subject to change based entirely on how the market responds. While the region does seem more willing to adopt EVs, there’s also more direct competition and it could be argued demand would recede if governments hadn’t instituted stringent emissions standards or started introducing ultra-low emissions zones that prohibit or fine combustion models.

We saw what happened when European leadership changed its tune on diesel being green and began pulling incentives. Sales plummeted dramatically, crippling a segment that was eventually surpassed by rising EV sales. Were opinions to suddenly pivot regarding all-electric vehicles, they might see a similar fate.

But things are looking good enough for Cadillac to take a change in Europe as it waits for American consumers to come around on EVs. You’re welcome to speculate on whether or not its two-year expansion plan will actually work.

[Images: General Motors]

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