Cadillac to lead GM’s electric car push

General Motors (GM) has confirmed Cadillac will become its "lead electric vehicle brand", and be the first to offer a vehicle based on its new EV platform.

In a shareholder statement declaring its outlook for 2019, the company said Cadillac will "introduce the first model from the company’s all-new battery electric vehicle architecture".

GM says the new platform is flexible enough to be used for a "broad array of body styles". Vehicles using the platform can configured for front-, rear-, or all-wheel drive.

It's not known whether Cadillac's first EV will be a sedan, coupe or crossover. GM didn't state when the car will go on sale, although previous indications from the company indicate the platform will debut in production form in 2021.

Sources have told Reuters Cadillac will use its electric vehicle to take Tesla head-on.

Currently the brand only has one electrified model in its range, the CT6 plug-in hybrid sedan. This car will soon be discontinued in North America, along with the rest of the CT6 range, but will remain on sale in China.

Previously the company sold the ELR plug-in hybrid coupe (above). Although a bold and striking vehicle, it failed to generate many sales as it featured a lightly massaged Volt drivetrain and a starting price of US$75,000 ($104,000), roughly US$35,000 ($49,000) more than its Chevrolet sibling.

At present Chevrolet serves as the General's greenest brand with both the Bolt electric hatch and Volt plug-in hybrid. The Volt will be discontinued this year as part of a series of plant closures.

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