Cadillac dealers who got a preview of the brand's upcoming products say they're optimistic that a long-promised renaissance is finally beginning to take shape.
About 1,000 dealer personnel, including 712 dealers globally, were given a peek at Cadillac's plans through 2021 last week at its dealer business conference in Las Vegas.
The event also included upcoming marketing efforts and looks at the new XT6 three-row crossover, CT4 and CT5 sedans, and the next-generation Escalade.
Two dealer officials who didn't want to be identified because the meetings were private said there was no mention of a Cadillac sports car or performance electric vehicle, which some expect the brand to launch in the coming years.
These officials also confirmed that the upcoming products, as promised by Cadillac, were heavily influenced by the acclaimed Escala concept from 2016.
Several dealers described the event as being reminiscent of past meetings that introduced brand-changing products such as the Escalade and Seville as well as the launch of the brand's noted Northstar engine.
"This was like the high notes from every Cadillac meeting I've been to in the last 25 years as a Cadillac dealer," said Nelson Andrews, dealer principal of Andrews Cadillac in Brentwood, Tenn. "I'm very impressed by the team right now. I feel this is the meeting Cadillac needed."