{"id":33791,"date":"2024-12-10T11:13:20","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T15:13:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=33791"},"modified":"2024-12-10T11:13:20","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T15:13:20","slug":"qa-laeticia-lopez-cadillacs-paris-born-materials-manager-on-the-ev-brands-french-push","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2024\/12\/qa-laeticia-lopez-cadillacs-paris-born-materials-manager-on-the-ev-brands-french-push","title":{"rendered":"Q&A: Laeticia Lopez, Cadillac’s Paris-born materials manager, on the EV brand’s French push"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sterling Heights<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 The three-row Vistiq is the final piece in Cadillac\u2019s IQ-named lineup as General Motors Co.\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

GM has big ambitions for its EVs, and not just in the United States. It is also using Cadillac\u2019s electric makeover to push into international markets like Europe, where governments are sunsetting internal combustion engine sales.<\/p>\n

Caddy planted its flag in Paris this year with a posh store in the middle of the city. The gallery not only features GM\u2019s Optiq and Lyriq EVs, but also a deep dive into the company\u2019s history and samples of its lush interiors.<\/p>\n

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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<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Those interiors were dressed by Cadillac\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Question:<\/strong>\u00a0Laeticia, how is Cadillac being received in your home country?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Answer:<\/strong>\u00a0Pretty well so far. Our store is placed near the Opera \u2014 really facing the Opera \u2014 in the center of Paris, very close to big fashion houses. This is a very nice welcome for the brand.<\/p>\n

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Q:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A:<\/strong>\u00a0That\u2019s correct. The Lyriq is the first one, we also have Optiq coming soon.<\/p>\n

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?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A:<\/strong>\u00a0Absolutely. 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 \u2014 he\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Q: Cadillac is coming into a (European) market that is embracing EVs. Zero emission zones are coming into Europe \u2014 I don\u2019t 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?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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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<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A:<\/strong>\u00a0Absolutely. 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.<\/p>\n