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Expect the Cadillac Lyriq EV to start under $60k

The recently unveiled Cadillac Lyriq EV will lead the brand's transformation to an all-EV lineup. And while the Lyriq is not expected to go on sale until late 2022, we now have some idea how much it's going to cost. That word comes from what should be a reliable source: GM North American president (and former Cadillac division president) Steve Carlisle. Speaking at the JP Morgan Auto Conference, as reported by Automotive News, Carlisle said, "This car will need to be priced similar to how the industry prices mid-size luxe SUVs today, maybe a slight premium at the outset. It's a price that won't be high five digits. It won't start with a seven, and it won't start with a six." So, the high $50s, then. The Lyriq is similar in size to today's Cadillac XT5, although it's nearly four inches lower and rides on a longer wheelbase. Pricing for the current XT5 ranges from $45,090 to $56,090 plus destination. The Lyriq will be available in rear-wheel-drive or higher-performance all-wheel-drive form. Range is expected to be at least 300 miles. The Lyriq is the first of a new family of EVs, as Cadillac plans to offer electric vehicles in every segment in which the brand currently competes. That means there should be a smaller, less expensive Cadillac EV as well — something akin to today's XT4, which would mean a Cadillac EV priced under $40k. But additional models, at higher and lower price points, would follow the Lyriq to market. Related Video:

GM is training more first responders for EV emergencies in the U.S. and Canada

GM is training more first responders to be able to handle emergencies involving electric vehicles. The automaker is "significantly expanding" its EV First Responder Training program in the United States and Canada as electric vehicle sales continue to grow. Its initiative will primarily focus on training firefighters and equipping them with the necessary knowledge about full electric vehicle technologies. GM says it's hoping to dispel misconceptions when it comes to handling EVs in emergency situations. One of those misconceptions is that water is dangerous around EV batteries — turns out the recommended way to put out lithium-ion battery fires is by using copious amounts of water.  Andrew Klock, a senior manager of education and development at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), said: "The best way for the public and private vehicle fleet owners to rapidly adopt EVs is to train firefighters and emergency responders on how to handle incidents involving battery powered vehicles. The fire service has had more than 100 years to gain the knowledge needed to respond to internal combustion engine fires, and it is critical that they are now educated on EV safety." The NFPA held trainings of its own that had benefited 300,000 first responders, but it believes more than 800,000 members of the community still need further training.   GM previously piloted the program in southeast Michigan, but now it's conducting training events across Michigan and in Fort Worth, Texas, as well. Later this summer, it's bringing the program to metro New York City and Southern California. Participants will have to attend four-hour sessions, with up to two per day, held in various venues, such as fire houses and dealerships. Interested first and second responders can register through the program's dedicated website and earn a certificate from the Illinois Fire Service Institute if they score higher than 70 percent on the learning assessment by the end of their training.  The automaker already has a few EV models on the market, including the Chevy Bolts, the GMC Hummer EV and the Cadillac Lyriq. It has huge electrification plans for the future, though, and training responders could help make potential customers more receptive to the idea of switching to electric vehicles. GM aims to launch 30 EV models by 2025 and to exclusively sell EVs ten years after that. Related video: Green Cadillac Chevrolet GM GMC Safety Electric

Cadillac ELR getting massive discounts, some up to $14,000

Well, that didn't go as planned. General Motors had marketed the Cadillac ELR extended-range plug-in as a premium version of the Chevrolet Volt with some Caddy refinements. Now, it looks like that premium, at least from a price standpoint, is shrinking. Shoppers in a number of states are reporting that GM and its dealers are discounting the ELR in order to move more off dealer lots. The issue is that few people are biting at the official price tag of about $76,000, so GM has started offering as much as $8,000 worth of dealer and customer incentives, Transport Evolved reports. More recently, dealers in states such as Florida, Texas and Maryland are offering discounts in the $12,000-to-$14,000 range, and that's before any federal and state plug-in incentives kick in. It's not difficult to guess why. Through the first half of the year, GM sold fewer than 400 ELRs. Last month, Caddy moved just 97 units, or about as many as Tesla sells of its Model S in a day. Perpahs recent spy shots that reveal a test ELR that appears to up the sportiness quotient, with touches such as larger wheels and brakes, will also help sales. Check out Autoblog's "First Drive" impressions of the ELR here.