Cadillac Escalade: 20 Years on the Road

Dubai, UAE, October 03, 2018:  Since its public debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 1998, the Cadillac Escalade has become a cultural phenomenon and defined the full-size luxury SUV segment. 

 

Escalade quickly grew to dominate its segment in the US, leading in total sales since 2014 and for 15 of the last 20 years. In fact, each year since the Escalade was redesigned in 2015, consumers have spent about USD 3 billion or more on the model. Sales have topped more than three-quarters of a million in the US and 836,000 cumulative global sales (including ESV, EXT and Hybrid models).

 

Launched in the Middle East in 2000, the Escalade was an instant hit with consumers looking for luxurious full-size SUVs which are notoriously popular in the region. Sales have continued to grow since then, accounting for nearly half of the Cadillac Middle East’s sales in 2017. 

 

“Over the past 20 years, the Escalade has prevailed not only as a highly regarded full-size luxury SUV, but also as a cultural icon that is synonymous with style and sophistication,” said Steve Carlisle, Cadillac president. “From the highway to the big screen, the Escalade has been embraced by drivers and fans around the world.”

 

 

Born in the nascent days of the luxury SUV movement, the Escalade quickly established itself as the segment’s preeminent entry, channeling Cadillac’s signature design, technology and performance in an all-new proportion. 

 

Customer response was quick and intense, as buyers embraced the Escalade’s spaciousness, capability and unmistakable presence. 

“That combination immediately struck a chord,” said Carlisle. “It introduced Cadillac to an entirely new generation of luxury customers via popular culture and changed perceptions of what the brand could offer.”

 

The Escalade’s strong initial sales leaped more than 35 percent worldwide when the second-generation model was launched for 2002 and grew another 55 percent the following year, when the versatile Escalade EXT model entered full production.

 

By its fifth anniversary in 2004, Escalade global sales had ballooned approximately 230 percent, and the vehicle had changed the lexicon of luxury vehicles for customers, trendsetting influencers and valets. 

 

The Escalade established a history of innovation and earned a reputation as a technology leader, with features such as: