Local GM boss: Cadillac Escalade IQ would sell in Oz

General Motors is readying an all-out assault on the Australian new car market, starting with the launch of the electric Cadillac Lyriq in the coming months, and followed by the LandCruiser and Patrol-fighting GMC Yukon in 2025.

It’s the latter – a large off-road SUV that’s due on sale in Australia by mid-2025 – that could open the door for other US models Down Under, including ‘the one that everyone wants’: the Cadillac Escalade.

“I would love Escalade,” says General Motors Australia & NZ managing director, Jess Bala, describing it as the Cadillac “everyone wants”.

“I drove one for years in the US but it fits under the same realm [as other US models]; we just keep assessing. Right now – Cadillac – we’re launching it as an EV-only brand but if the opportunity arose and we saw that there was really good demand there and an opportunity for [Escalade], we would potentially look at it.”

Bala said the US manufacturer is always looking at what other models will do well Down Under, including both ICE (internal-combustion engine) and EV (Electric vehicle) models.

“Absolutely, we always share how we're doing back with HQ in Michigan and how it's tracking, sales and all those sorts of elements. So absolutely, if it [Yukon] does well – and we believe it will do very well – it’ll make some of those conversations easier.”

The Escalade is sold with all-American V8 power in the US – courtesy of the same 6.2-litre V8 used in the Yukon. Between the V8 Escalade and the all-electric Escalade iQ, it’s likely only the latter would sell Down Under, as part of Cadillac’s EV-only strategy in Oz.

But even then, Aussies should lap it up, according to Bala.

“One of my old babies – love that car. I do [think it would sell in Australia] yes, yeah.”

“I think it’s a beautiful car, it sort of blends into the realm of the Yukon out here but obviously takes it up another notch with electric power. But then also being an Escalade; and a Cadillac; it comes with another level of luxury, over and above [Yukon].”

“It’s an icon in itself, Escalade.”

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