Cadillac has decided to end production of the XT4 compact crossover in January after just one generation. This decision comes as GM’s luxury brand retools its Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas to produce the resurrected Chevy Bolt EV, as reported by Automotive News.
The news may come as a surprise to some, especially considering that the 2024 Cadillac XT4 received an interior glow-up just last year. The refreshed model featured new ends and a curved 33-inch LED screen that integrated a touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. Interestingly, this same digital display will be found in the upcoming 2025 Cadillac Optiq, an electric small crossover that was supposed to be sold alongside the XT4 on showroom floors.
Despite plans for the XT4 and Optiq to coexist, plans have now changed. The 2025 Cadillac XT4 will continue production through January and will remain on sale until inventory runs out. Unfortunately, there will be no 2026 model year for Cadillac’s most affordable model, which starts at less than $40,000.
Introduced in 2018 for the 2019 model year, the XT4 only lasted one generation despite the recent updates. Sales of the XT4 were down nearly 12% year-over-year, according to GM’s Q3 investor call. While it didn’t perform as well as the XT5 midsize crossover, it did outsell the XT6 three-row SUV. However, it paled in comparison to the sales of similarly sized models like the Buick Encore GX and Chevy Equinox.
As production of the XT4 comes to an end, Cadillac enthusiasts can look forward to the Chevy Equinox continuing for another generation. Additionally, the 2025 Equinox EV will see increased production numbers as GM’s most affordable electric car, with a base model expected to debut in the coming months at around $35,000. The Cadillac Optiq will be built alongside the Equinox EV at GM’s plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.
The Fairfax Assembly plant had already begun reducing its workforce this month following the end of production for the Chevy Malibu sedan. Despite these changes, GM remains committed to its gas and EV portfolio, with a $391 million investment in staffing and retooling the plant for the second-generation Bolt EV still on track.
The Bolt EV and related Bolt EUV had been among the least expensive EVs on the market until their discontinuation last year due to a battery fire recall. Despite this setback, the Bolt EV was known for being an affordable electric vehicle that delivered on its promises. With the upcoming release of the second-generation Bolt EV, GM is looking to capitalize on growth opportunities guided by customer demand.
In conclusion, the discontinuation of the XT4 marks another entry on the list of discontinued cars for 2025. While the automotive landscape continues to evolve, Cadillac is shifting its focus towards electric vehicles like the Optiq and the second-generation Bolt EV, signaling a new direction for the luxury brand in the years to come.
