Manoli Katakis 
70 years ago, Cadillacs were the pinnacle of luxury in the automotive market. Take the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, which was priced at a staggering $13,000 at the time. You can’t find any new car for $13,000 today, but back then, that was more expensive than a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II. The audacity. These days, however, is of course a different scenario. But if there was any GM product on the market right now that has a puncher’s chance at moving further upmarket, it’s the Cadillac Escalade.
“I think so. We don’t have anything to tell you about today. But I think the Cadillac name and the Escalade name have plenty of room to grow. I do think potentially there’s room to move up,” said Robert Benbow, marketing manager of the Cadillac Escalade, to MC&T.
We’re also left imagining what’s possible beyond the Escalade Platinum. Interior materials like wool carpeting, and elegant coach doors come to mind. Unfortunately, that’s not happening on the 2021 Escalade.
“We didn’t (evaluate coach doors or gullwing doors). Even though it’s ground-up, we wanted to hold true to what it is and how people use it,” said Therese Pinazzo, Escalade exterior design manager, to MC&T. The Escalade also has to fit into the specified assembly process happening at the General Motors Arlington Assembly Plant, alongside the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, as well as the 2021 GMC Yukon.
However, Cadillac didn’t deny the possibilities of special programs like bespoke offerings. Such as what is currently seen from Rolls-Royce and Bentley when it comes to one-of-one stitch work, custom door sills, and more.
“Is it possible? Sure. We’re exploring new opportunities, and in luxury, there’s always an appetite for that kind of thing… nothing to tell you about today,” said Benbow.
“I can’t really talk about it. It’s something we’ve talked about all the time,” said Pinazzo.
Maybe they’ll give coach doors another look in the future.
