Mike Colias
Automotive News
September 19, 2014 - 6:34 am ET -- UPDATED: 9/19/14 9:06 am ET - adds link

DETROIT -- General Motors said today that it will build a new "top-end, high-technology" Cadillac at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant starting in the fourth quarter of next year.

GM declined to name the car, saying only that it would be slotted above the CTS midsize sedan and XTS large sedan. Sources have told Automotive News that GM plans to build a large, rear-wheel-drive sedan, codenamed LTS, at the plant starting in late 2015.

“The objective for this upcoming model is to lift the Cadillac range by entering the elite class of top-level luxury cars,” Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen said in a statement. “Currently in development, this new rear wheel drive-oriented sedan uses completely new, custom-designed materials on a unique vehicle architecture."

GM said the car will be unveiled sometime during the first half of 2015. The company said it will soon announce the car's name.

Over the last several weeks, GM has installed tools and equipment for the new car over, part of a $384 million investment. The plant employs about 1,600 workers on one shift, a GM spokesman said. Market demand will dictate whether more workers are added, he said.

GM said that over the last five years it has invested more than $1 billion in the Detroit-Hamtramck plant, which makes the Chevy Impala, Malibu and Volt and the Cadillac ELR. GM calls the factory its "most complex plant in North America" because it builds several different models and platforms on one line.

The new sedan will be the first to use GM’s new, rear-wheel-drive platform, code-named Omega. It's expected to get the same 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6 and Aisin-supplied eight-speed that run the CTS Vsport. All-wheel drive will be optional.

You can reach Mike Colias at mcolias@crain.com.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20140919/OEM01/140919814/cadillac-to-build-unnamed-top-end-car-at-detroit-hamtramck-in-late-2015