The automotive landscape is shifting, with sedans increasingly facing extinction. Recent news from General Motors reflects this trend: the company will discontinue the Cadillac CT4 after 2026 but intends to replace the CT5 with a new sedan in the coming years. However, a new report suggests GM might be considering a broader return to passenger cars, offering a surprise for consumers and a possible divergence from current market trends.
Expanding the Sedan Platform: What’s on the Horizon?
According to GM Authority, citing inside sources, General Motors is developing “multiple variants” of a new sedan platform. While it’s confirmed that the platform will support combustion engines, the precise future uses of this architecture remain unclear. GM Authority reported on this possibility back in November.
The immediate successor to the CT5 is already planned, but the term “variants” raises intriguing possibilities. This could mean differentiated versions of the CT5—perhaps a more aggressive V-Series Blackwing—or entirely new Cadillac sedan models. Speculation also includes the potential return of iconic models like the Buick Grand National, or at minimum, an updated Chevrolet Malibu. This uncertainty highlights a potential strategic shift for GM, moving away from an exclusive focus on crossovers and trucks.
Combustion Power and Potential for Performance
With Stellantis, a key competitor, strengthening its commitment to traditional combustion engines, GM could follow suit. The new sedan platform’s ability to accommodate a gas engine — and potentially a new V-8 engine — points towards a possible resurgence of high-performance combustion vehicles. The current CT5-V Blackwing, boasting a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 producing 668 horsepower, sets a high bar for any successor.
Optimizing Production and Securing the Future
GM has announced that the next generation Cadillac sedan will be built at its Grand River Assembly plant in Lansing, Michigan. Currently, this facility solely produces the CT4 and CT5 models. To maximize production efficiency at this plant, GM will likely need to offer more than one sedan model. This decision makes the possibility of additional variants even more plausible.
A Glimmer of Hope for Sedan Enthusiasts
Although sedan sales have declined significantly, many automakers continue to offer passenger cars. Consumers have fewer choices, but GM’s decision not to completely abandon sedan production provides some optimism that the automotive future won’t be dominated entirely by crossovers, trucks, and SUVs. This potential re-evaluation of GM’s sedan strategy suggests a desire to cater to a broader range of consumer preferences.
The reemergence of GM sedans, with possible new models or variants, provides a refreshing prospect for those who prefer traditional passenger cars in an increasingly SUV-dominated market.
Stay informed with our newsletter every weekday
For more info, read our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use
