The milestone comes at a time when competition in the premium EV market continues to intensify in the United States. Cadillac’s electric range has expanded rapidly since 2023, even as demand across the broader EV segment faces pressure following the removal of the federal tax credit.
In January 2019, General Motors announced that Cadillac would become the company’s lead brand for electric vehicles. The strategy began taking shape with the launch of the 2023 Lyriq, which became the first Cadillac EV to reach customers. Since then, the automaker has added several electric models to its lineup, including the Optiq, Vistiq, Escalade IQ, and Celestiq.
Cadillac’s current EV portfolio also includes two performance-focused V-Series models. The Optiq-V produces 519 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, while Cadillac says the vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
Cadillac Says Most EV Buyers Are New to the Brand
Cadillac stated that roughly three-quarters of its EV customers had not previously owned a Cadillac vehicle. According to the company, many of those buyers came from competing luxury manufacturers such as Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lexus.
The automaker reached the 100,000-unit mark with a lineup ranging from the entry-level Optiq crossover to the low-volume Celestiq sedan. The Escalade IQ also joined the range as Cadillac expanded its electric offering into the large luxury SUV segment.
Motor1 reported that the Lyriq was the first GM product based on the Ultium battery platform, which now supports several electric models across the company’s brands, including the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Celestiq.
Optiq and Vistiq Drive Cadillac’s Early 2026 Sales Growth
Cadillac sold more than 9,500 electric vehicles during the first three months of 2026. The figure represented a 20 percent increase compared to the same period a year earlier.
Much of that growth came from the Optiq. Sales of the electric crossover increased by 65.9 percent after the model went on sale in early 2025. The Vistiq also posted a sharp increase. Cadillac sold just one Vistiq during the first quarter of 2025, compared to 1,902 units during the first three months of 2026.
This represented a 190,100 percent increase year over year. While the figure reflects the model’s recent launch phase, it also highlights the role newer products are playing within Cadillac’s EV lineup.
Lyriq and Escalade IQ Record Sales Declines
Not every Cadillac EV posted gains during the opening quarter of 2026. The Lyriq, which remains the brand’s best-selling electric model, recorded 3,370 sales between January and March. That represented a 21.6 percent decline year over year. The Escalade IQ also saw lower demand during the same period, with sales falling by 26.8 percent.
Cadillac sold nearly 50,000 electric vehicles in 2025. The report added that the end of the federal EV tax credit has weakened demand for electric vehicles in the United States. At its current pace, Cadillac is projected to sell fewer than 40,000 EVs in 2026.
