General Motors has confirmed that the Cadillac brand will return to Australia — after almost a 40-year hiatus — in the fourth quarter of 2008. The first Cadillac to be offered in Australia since 1969 will be the all-new CTS — which shares some parts with GM’s Australian arm, Holden.
The announcement was made at a media event in Melbourne. “With cutting-edge design, serious performance and luxury appointments, Cadillac will appeal to Australian prestige car buyers and quickly establish itself in a segment traditionally dominated by European brands,” Holden chairman and managing director Chris Gubbey said. “Cadillac is undergoing a brand renaissance and global expansion driven by dramatic design and technical innovation.”
The CTS will be offered with two engine choices: GM’s familiar direct-injection 3.6L V6 and, starting in 2009, a 2.9L turbo-diesel V6. All models will come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, stability control and iPod connectivity.
It remains unclear if the 2.9L diesel unit will eventually find its way into the U.S.-spec CTS.
