One of America's biggest automotive firms will bring its luxury division back to Australia after more than 50 years, starting with the company's first electric vehicle.
General Motors made the announcement in Melbourne on Wednesday, revealing plans to launch its Cadillac Lyriq electric SUV in Australia from late next year.
The brand's arrival in the local market will also include the launch of "experience" stores in Sydney and Melbourne.
The announcement comes after electric vehicle sales tripled in Australia during 2023, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, although sales dipped slightly during October.
Cadillac global vice-president John Roth said the company's Australian relaunch would be part of a global expansion for the brand and would spread the reach of its electric cars.
"The introduction of a right-hand drive Lyriq will enable new opportunities in important markets where EV adoption is strong," Mr Roth said.
The Cadillac Lyriq mid-sized SUV, which first launched in the US in 2022, will feature dual motors, a range of 530 kilometres, driver assistance technology, a 19-speaker sound system and a 33-inch display.
General Motors has yet to reveal an Australian price for the Lyriq, though the SUV sells in the US for around $90,000.
General Motors Australian managing director Jess Bala said the US brand would focus its expansion on Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland where it planned to open dedicated showrooms for the brand.
Ms Bala said electric vehicles would dominate Cadillac's local offerings.
"Cadillac will be in a position to offer a fully electric portfolio by 2030," she said.
"Launching our ... EV business in Australia and New Zealand positions us well to be able to select the right models for these markets."
Cadillac vehicles were last sold in Australia in 1969 although General Motors reportedly tried to relaunch the brand in 2008 before its effort was waylaid by the global financial crisis.
Cadillac's announcement follows the launch of several electric vehicles in Australia over the past month, including Ford's Mach-E SUV, Kia's seven-seat EV9, and the BYD Dolphin hatchback that is currently the cheapest electric car in the nation.
New electric vehicle sales have tripled in Australia during the year, with consumers buying 71,800 models between January and October, FCAI data showed.
Sales dipped during October, however, with EVs making up 5.7 per cent of all new cars sold during the month.
