Cadillac begins shipping ELRs to dealerships

General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly today began shipping 2014 Cadillac ELR electric luxury vehicles to dealerships. The ELR luxury coupe is the first application of Extended Range Electric Vehicle technology by a full-line luxury automotive brand. It blends dramatic design and industry-leading extended-range technology to deliver a driving experience that is sporty and environmentally friendly. The ELR’s driving range, which combines battery-only electric power with a range-extending gasoline-powered electric generator provides total driving range exceeding 300 miles (480 km). The extended range technology is uniquely tuned for Cadillac in the ELR. Most daily commutes will require no gasoline and emit no tailpipe emissions. Today’s event marked the return of Cadillac production at Detroit-Hamtramck after a two-year hiatus. Employees last built the Cadillac DTS large sedan from 2006 to 2011. Detroit-Hamtramck, which opened in 1985, is represented by UAW Local 22. In addition to the ELR, employees build the all-new Chevrolet Impala, Malibu and Volt; and Opel Ampera extended-range electric vehicle. The plant has built some of GM’s best-selling and most important cars. The first vehicle produced for sale at Detroit-Hamtramck was a Cadillac Eldorado, which came off the end of the line on Feb. 4, 1985. Since then, more than 3.5 million Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet cars have been built there.   Source: GM