GM to start producing electric Cadillac in 2013

In a 2009 handout photo from General Motors, a 2009 Cadillac Converj Concept is shown. The automaker plans on making the concept as a Cadillac ELR, a two-door which will have a power train similar to that of the electric Chevrolet Volt. / AP Photo/General Motors

DETROIT - General Motors (GM) says production is set to begin late next year on a luxury version of its Chevrolet Volt hybrid.

The automaker said in a statement on Tuesday that the Cadillac ELR will be assembled at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant. That plant makes the Chevrolet Volt, Opel Ampera and Holden Volt, and is the only U.S. automotive plant that mass produces extended-range electric vehicles, according to GM.

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The Cadillac will run on electricity and carry a four-cylinder gasoline engine to generate power when the lithium-ion battery run out of juice. The battery will be built at an assembly plant in Brownstown, Mich.

The car is based on the Cadillac Converj, a concept car unveiled in 2009 at the Detroit auto show.

GM North America President Mark Reuss said in a statement that the car is "further proof of our commitment to electric vehicles and advanced technology."

"People will instantly recognize it as a Cadillac by its distinctive, signature look and true-to-concept exterior design," said Reuss.

The company will invest $35 million at the plant, which hasn't produced a two-door car since the 1999 Cadillac Eldorado.

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A Cadillac electric car based on the Volt? The Cadillac Cimarron and Catera come to mind.

[daffy64]

Electric cars are stupid because they use 100% American fuel. Americans should reject them and keep using (Canadian) oil.

[chatmandu7451]

Is this going to be a Volt with a Cadillac name plate?

[Forty-Four]

No, the Volt looks a lot better

[john92021]

total waste of planet resources.

[Forty-Four]

Not a fan. If I had to buy an electric vehicle, my only choice would be the Chevrolet Volt. Best looking electric vehicle there is so far. Everything else looks too much like a bubble car or a Prius

[Martha12345]

I bet both of them will sell like hot cookies.

[MrsHippy]

Now that we all know that GM is losing $30,000 per vehicle on the Chevy Volt, it is nice to see them "Double Down" on their losing ways, so that in 5 years or less another Tax Payer Bailout will be required to save them from bankruptcy again. I just want to know when I am going to get my "Free Car" in payment for all the bailout money I have had to fork over to save their lousy unions!

[Martha12345]

Don't expect a "Thank You" card from the UAW any time soon.

[sjc_1]

This will help pay off the development costs more quickly. The main development costs were in the drive train and battery pack development and testing. More units delivered, quicker payback.

[GossamerWings]

Thank GOD! Let's hope the oil companies don't try to kill these designs like they did the first electric cars.

[sjc_1]

News,

Such negative comments, do you have anything intelligent to say? Anything informative and helpful at all? No...I thought not.