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GM's Ultium EV platform finally shows up in Q3 sales numbers

General Motors has heralded its Ultium battery-electric platform as the future of its passenger car and truck lineup, but for the first two years of its existence, its impact on the marketplace has been virtually nonexistent. Well, that finally changed in the third quarter of 2023, and while the cars based on this architecture don't represent anywhere near the volume of GM's broader combustion portfolio, we're reaching a point where Ultium products are finally in view (and in the hands) of real-world shoppers. At this point, five U.S.-market Ultium models are in production: the GMC Hummer EV, Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer & Silverado EV, and BrightDrop Zevo 600. If you're not familiar with that last one, that's OK; it's a commercial product that you likely won't see on the road for some time. Together, these four combined for 4,257 sales in the third quarter alone — up from 2,663 for the entire first half of the year. While that may not seem like a significant uptick when viewed from altitude, the quarter-to-quarter numbers paint a clearer picture.  Let's toss out the stragglers first. The Chevy Blazer EV, and Silverado EV for example, are barely in production. GM delivered 19 Blazers and 18 Silverados in the third quarter and that's the entirety of their production runs so far. Likewise, GM's BrightDrop Zevo 600 delivery van effectively exists apart from the consumer marketplace, so its contribution of just 35 units can be set aside too. That leaves us the two you've heard of: the GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Lyriq — models with high sticker prices and long reservation queues.  Through the second quarter (remember, we're talking six months here), GMC sold 49 Hummer EVs. No typo. In the three months that made up the third quarter, GM moved 1,167 of them. Not only is that a dramatic improvement over the first half, but it's more Hummers than GMC sold in the entirety of 2022 (854). Lyriq's improvement was less eye-popping on paper, but after moving just 122 total units in 2022 and 2,013 of them in the first half of 2023, Cadillac managed to up that figure to 3,018 units in the third quarter alone.  GM is betting its short-term EV future on the Ultium platform, so these trends need to continue if that's going to be a profitable wager.

Cadillac gives enthusiasts an early look at its next high-performance sedans

Cadillac will introduce a pair of sport sedans named CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing, respectively, at 7 p.m. Eastern today (February 1). While car companies routinely drum up excitement for new models by releasing tightly-cropped or blacked-out images, Cadillac surprised us with a photo, and a TV spot that aired during the Rolex 24 at Daytona, that shows both cars in their entirety. Somewhat confusingly, the CT4-V and the CT5-V are not direct replacements for the ATS-V and the CTS-V; they're mid-range models, and they're powered, equipped, and priced accordingly. It's these flagship Blackwing variants that will pick up where the last-generation Vs left off with a significant bump in power, numerous chassis tweaks, and a more aggressive-looking design. They'll arrive in showrooms in time for the 2022 model year. Blackwing drivers won't draw unnecessary attention to themselves, because the visual changes are relatively subtle. Riding on model-specific wheels, the CT4-V Blackwing gains bigger air intakes on the front end, vents punched into the fenders, and a low-key body kit that adds a front splitter, front winglets, and a trunk-mounted spoiler. Cadillac gave the CT5-V a similar treatment, and it mounted the rear wheels on surprisingly wide tires. Cadillac pointed out the Blackwing sedans benefit from the world's fastest-reacting suspension system. It's likely the fourth evolution of its magnetic ride control technology, which it detailed in October 2020.  While full specifications remain under wraps until the duo's unveiling, we know that both sedans will be available with a six-speed manual transmission. It's reasonable to assume that an automatic (likely the familiar 10-speed) will be offered as well. As for what's under the hood, our crystal ball tells us that the CT5-V will land with a V8 engine, though it won't be the short-lived twin-turbocharged Blackwing unit that gave both cars their name. Enginers might have selected an evolution of the CTS-V's 6.2-liter. As for the CT4-V, it will receive the ATS-V's 3.6-liter turbocharged V6. Both models will be exclusively available with rear-wheel-drive. Enthusiasts who want to secure an early built slot will have the chance to reserve a 2022 CT4-V Blackwing or a 2022 CT5-V Blackwing by visiting Cadillac's website shortly after the sedans are unveiled on February 1. As we previously reported, the first 250 units of each car will wear a numbered plaque on the steering wheel.

GM extends production cuts, affects Cadillacs, Camaro and Acadia

General Motors is extending production cuts at some of its North America factories due to a chip shortage that has roiled the global automotive industry, the U.S. carmaker said on Thursday. The move's impact has been baked into GM's prior forecast that the shortage could shave up to $2 billion off this year's profit. GM's Lansing Grand River assembly in Michigan will extend its downtime through the week of April 26. The plant makes Chevrolet Camaros and Cadillac CT4 and CT5 sedans. It has been out of action since March 15. GM's Spring Hill assembly in Tennessee will shut down for two weeks starting the week of April 12. The plant makes the Cadillac XT5, XT6 and GMC Acadia. The company said it has not taken downtime or reduced shifts at any of its more profitable full-size truck or full-size SUV plants due to the shortage. The news was first reported by CNBC. Reporting by Ankit Ajmera in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel and Sriraj Kalluvila