Cadillac Lyriq takes home German Car of the Year award

Cadillac has often struggled to make a dent in the tricky European market. Historically, European buyers have favored their homegrown brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi, leaving Cadillac on the sidelines. Well, it seems the tides might be turning.

In a surprise upset, the Cadillac Lyriq, an all-electric SUV, has snatched the Luxury category win at the prestigious 2024 German Car of the Year (GCOTY) awards. This victory is a significant milestone for Cadillac, suggesting a potential shift in the European perception of the brand.

The Lyriq had stiff competition from the likes of the Genesis G90 and the Porsche Macan. More than 30 prominent German automotive journalists and guest judges cast their votes, recognizing the Lyriq for its striking design, advanced technology, and luxurious interior.

While the overall GCOTY award will be announced later this year, the Lyriq's victory in the Luxury category vindicates Cadillac's efforts to deliver world-class EVs. The brand has made several attempts to establish a strong presence in Europe, dating back to 1935. Despite these efforts, Cadillac has remained a niche player in the European market. This win could be the breakthrough Cadillac needs to finally gain traction.

Pere Brugal, President and Managing Director of General Motors Europe, expressed his enthusiasm for the award, stating, "It has a big meaning for us. We are back in Europe with a Cadillac and with a fully electric drive. The first prize has a special meaning, showing we can bring the best of luxury, that we expect from Cadillac, and technology and then design."

The Lyriq's victory is even more impressive considering the dominance of European brands in other GCOTY categories. In the Compact car class (for cars up to €35,000), the Citroen e-C3/C3, available with both combustion and electric powertrains, took home the award. China's MG3 secured second place, followed by the Dacia Duster in third.

The Premium award, for cars priced between €35,001 and €70,000, went to the BMW i5 and 5 Series, which offer combustion engines, EVs, and plug-in hybrids. The Polestar 4, backed by China's Geely, came in second, while the BMW X1 and iX1 took third place.

In the Performance car category, the Porsche 911 GTS reigned supreme, followed by the Lamborghini Revuelto and the Ferrari Dodici Cilindri. The New Energy category saw a clean sweep by the Volkswagen Group, with the Audi Q6 e-tron taking first place, followed by the Volkswagen ID.5 and the Porsche Macan.