Q&A: Laeticia Lopez, Cadillac’s Paris-born materials manager, on the EV brand’s French push

Posted by Talbot Payne on December 10, 2024

Sterling Heights — The three-row Vistiq is the final piece in Cadillac’s IQ-named lineup as General Motors Co.’s luxury brand goes all-electric. Starting at $78,900 when it hits dealerships next year, the 2026 Vistiq slots in below the estimated $99,000 Escalade IQ and above the $54,390, entry-level Optiq and the $59,990, midsize Lyriq.

GM has big ambitions for its EVs, and not just in the United States. It is also using Cadillac’s electric makeover to push into international markets like Europe, where governments are sunsetting internal combustion engine sales.

Caddy planted its flag in Paris this year with a posh store in the middle of the city. The gallery not only features GM’s Optiq and Lyriq EVs, but also a deep dive into the company’s history and samples of its lush interiors.

Laeticia Lopez, Cadillac's color, materials and finish design manager, says the GM luxury brand is optimistic about its prospects for selling its new lineup of electric SUV in Europe, where governments are pushing to phase out gas-powered vehicles.

Laeticia Lopez, Cadillac’s color, materials and finish design manager, says the GM luxury brand is optimistic about its prospects for selling its new lineup of electric SUV in Europe, where governments are pushing to phase out gas-powered vehicles. Cadillac, GM

Those interiors were dressed by Cadillac’s Color, Materials and Finish Design Manager Laeticia Lopez, a Paris transplant. Detroit News Auto Columnist Henry Payne sat down with Lopez to talk about Cadillac crossing the pond.

Question: Laeticia, how is Cadillac being received in your home country?

Answer: Pretty well so far. Our store is placed near the Opera — really facing the Opera — in the center of Paris, very close to big fashion houses. This is a very nice welcome for the brand.

Q: Yes, right in the middle of Paris. You just gave me the news that the Lyriq won 2025 European Car of the Year, which is big news because that is the first EV on sale in that showroom.

A: That’s correct. The Lyriq is the first one, we also have Optiq coming soon.

Q: You just came back from the Paris Auto Show. Cadillac had a presence there displaying both the Lyriq and the Optiq. What are you hearing from your French friends? Are they excited about Cadillac coming into Europe?

A: Absolutely. They are excited. Cadillac has a special place in France. The French name, it has a historical connection with France. The Cadillac name comes from Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac — he’s from a city called Cadillac-sur-Garonne in the south of France, so this emotional connection is, of course, well received. People are very excited and Lyriq and Optiq are both beautiful vehicles.

Q: Cadillac is coming into a (European) market that is embracing EVs. Zero emission zones are coming into Europe — I don’t know if that is in Paris yet. The other piece is that Cadillac has gone worldwide in auto racing. I was in Le Mans earlier this year and Cadillac was competing against Ferrari, against Porsche, in the biggest European race there is. Does that help, too?

The #2 Cadillac races at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. The GM brand is using racing to play up its performance as well as luxury credentials as it enters Europe.

The #2 Cadillac races at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. The GM brand is using racing to play up its performance as well as luxury credentials as it enters Europe. Chris DuMond, Special To The Detroit News

A: Absolutely. Yes, I think this is for the emotions. If you like vehicles, you like racing somehow. The speed, the performance, and Cadillac is at the center of this, of course. Cadillac is part of so many innovations in the automotive market. I think . . . the race industry is a huge step for us to reach any type of customer. Of course there are the customers who are into luxury vehicles, the success story, the perception. There is also the performance aspect, which is very critical for our brand.

Q: Le Mans is huge in Europe, the equivalent to the Indianapolis 500 over here. And Cadillac wants to be in Formula 1, which is exciting. The three-row Vistiq (is a) beautiful car with a blue interior that you helped put together. But maybe it’s a little big for Europe?

A: I guess it depends on what you are looking for. In Europe, yes, cities are smaller, the streets are smaller. However, I don’t know if the Vistiq is too large for Europe, I don’t know yet. We do have customers who are still in love with Escalade. They are speaking about it and it’s an icon. I think we have created a new icon with the Vistiq — which is slightly smaller. So . . . why not?

24 Hours of Le Mans 2024: Fans check out the Cadillac Optiq EV at the Cadillac display inside the track. The compact electric SUV will go on sale in Paris early next year.

24 Hours of Le Mans 2024: Fans check out the Cadillac Optiq EV at the Cadillac display inside the track. The compact electric SUV will go on sale in Paris early next year. Henry Payne, The Detroit News

Q: The Lyriq is for sale right now in Paris, the Optiq coming early next year. The Optiq seems a perfect size for a city like Paris.

A: I agree, especially Optiq and Lyriq. Those two are the right proportions. Lyriq is really about the elegance, the prestige of the brand. Optiq is more athletic, more young, more fun. I can definitely picture this one in Paris. Lyriq as well simply because Paris so glamorous. There is this beautiful connection again to the brand, to the city, to what it communicates that I think both are very appropriate.

Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or @HenryEPayne.

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