Cadillac is expanding its right-hand-drive electric vehicle (EV) lineup in Japan with the launch of the Lyriq, marking a strategic shift in a market where it has primarily offered left-hand-drive vehicles since 1915.
The Lyriq, Cadillac’s first right-hand-drive EV in Japan, will be available exclusively in the dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant. The vehicle delivers a combined output of 384 kW and 610 Nm of torque, powered by a 95.7 kWh battery pack. It offers a WLTP-rated range of 510 km.
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Designed to integrate with Japan’s extensive network of over 10,000 CHAdeMO chargers, the Lyriq can gain 120 km of range using a 50 kW charger or 190 km with a 90 kW charger in just 30 minutes. The model is priced at 11 million yen (approximately 67,000 euros), with deliveries set to begin in May. Cadillac currently operates 13 dealerships and 24 authorized service centers across Japan.
“By expanding its right-hand-drive EV portfolio, Cadillac is not only reinforcing its presence in global markets but also setting the stage for a new era of electrified luxury,” the company stated in a press release.
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Looking ahead, Cadillac plans to introduce three additional right-hand-drive EVs in Japan by 2026: the Optiq, Vistiq, and a performance-focused Lyriq-V. While the flagship Escalade IQ and its long-wheelbase counterpart, the Escalade IQL, are available in left-hand-drive markets, Cadillac’s global vice president John Roth cited technical certification challenges as a barrier to launching these models in right-hand-drive configurations.
Beyond Japan, Cadillac has also entered right-hand-drive EV markets in Australia and New Zealand, where it has begun taking orders for the Lyriq. Reports suggest the brand may soon introduce the Lyriq in the UK, further expanding its global EV footprint.
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