Sedan sales have experienced a prolonged decline, with a shifting preference among the general public towards high-riding crossovers and SUVs for various reasons.
However, this trend doesn’t imply a complete lack of interest in low-slung four doors. The recently updated Cadillac CT5 stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of this format. In 2023, it emerged as Cadillac’s top-selling model globally, a feat largely attributed to the remaining strong markets for sedans: the United States and China.
During a recent press conference, John Roth, the vice president of global Cadillac, highlighted the CT5’s elevated status, emphasizing its strong global deliveries as a driving force behind its success.
Notably, the vehicle’s achievements are not solely a consequence of declining sales in other models. In fact, the brand experienced an overall sales increase of just over 9% in the United States alone.
While Roth clarified that the CT5’s triumph isn’t solely due to the Chinese market’s affinity for sedans, a comprehensive global sales breakdown was not provided.
According to a spokesperson for the automaker, sales data across global regions is not disclosed. However, it was revealed that China holds the largest share of CT5 sales, constituting approximately 20%, with North America contributing significantly as well.
In the United States, CT5 deliveries witnessed a notable rise of around 17% in 2023, reaching 18,593 units, positioning it as the second-highest in growth, trailing only the all-electric Lyriq.
In contrast, Cadillac’s other remaining internal combustion-powered sedan, the CT4, experienced a less favorable year, with deliveries declining by approximately 1.4% in North America to 9,144 units.
This divergence in performance likely explains the recent refreshment of the CT5 while the CT4 remained unchanged.
The future of Cadillac’s compact sedan, the CT4, designed to rival the 3 Series in a bygone era, remains uncertain.
Although it would be regrettable to witness its discontinuation, the industry trend, exemplified by brands like Ford eliminating sedans entirely, suggests a plausible scenario where only one internal combustion engine (ICE) sedan finds a place in Cadillac’s lineup in the coming years.
