Cadillac weighs large crossover under Escalade badge

NEW YORK -- Cadillac is considering adding a large crossover to its lineup and branding it under the Escalade name, the brand's top executive said.

"I think there's a lot of equity in Escalade," Bob Ferguson, senior vice president of global Cadillac, said Monday after unveiling the redesigned 2015 Escalade at an event here. "I'd like to explore the notion of other vehicles that would carry that brand name."

Ferguson believes there are distinct customers for each type of vehicle.

"There are a number of individuals who just love this vehicle," Ferguson said, but there are others who would say 'I would love something that would give me a different ride and a different experience.'"

Ferguson said General Motors product planners "are still looking at" a large, unibody crossover to complement the Escalade SUV, which continues to ride on a more truck-like, body-on-frame platform. He stressed that no decisions have been made.

GM already markets three large, seven-passenger crossovers that ride on the same unibody platform, codenamed Lambda: the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse.

Crossovers -- typically more car-like and offering enhanced fuel economy compared to traditional truck-based SUVs -- are among the industry's fastest-growing segments.