Cadillac Coronavirus Financial Relief and New Car Incentives

As the coronavirus continues to spread, touching virtually all parts of the globe, businesses both large and small are feeling the economic pain. In some cases, entire industries are in crisis. One such example is the U.S. auto industry, where dealer showroom traffic slowed to a crawl and recent sales figures paint a grim picture.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, automakers are doing everything they can to keep their current customers in good standing and the shiny new metal moving. From payment relief for existing customers to unprecedented new-car incentives to entice new buyers, automakers are pulling out all the stops. Many automakers are also leveraging their manufacturing expertise to produce much-needed personal protective equipment for frontline healthcare workers as well as ventilators and respirators for those infected with the disease.

Cadillac, the luxury flagship division of General Motors (GM), is doing its part by offering numerous coronavirus car payment plans and programs designed to assist current and new customers. If you have questions about or need assistance with the programs discussed below, you can contact the Cadillac Customer Care team at (800) 333-4223 or visit the “We Have Your Back” section of the Cadillac website.

Cadillac Customer Relief Programs

In order to provide owners a little relief from the financial carnage the coronavirus is inflicting on some families’ budgets, Cadillac is offering payment deferrals to existing GM Financial (GMF) customers. Those in need of help are encouraged to text “INFO” to 53721, message through the GM Financial mobile app, or contact the GMF Customer Experience team at 1-800-284-2271. Customers can also visit the GM Financial website.

Existing Cadillac owners also receive OnStar Crisis Assist services for a limited time, as well as three months of complimentary in-vehicle Wi-Fi services with 3GB of data at no charge. Some dealerships are also offering Certified Service Concierge, making it easier to obtain maintenance or repairs without visiting the dealership.

Cadillac New Car Incentives

While not the groundbreaking 0% APR financing for up to 84 months promotion that GM is pitching through some of its other brands, Cadillac is offering some strong incentives on select models. 

For example, 2020 models of its XT4, XT5 and XT6 crossovers now have 0.9% APR financing for up to 72 months plus up to a $1,500 purchase allowance plus deferred monthly payments for up to 120 days. This promotion is available to very well-qualified customers who finance with GM Financial. Note, however, that the program is not available on leases and you must take retail delivery by June 1, 2020.

In addition to the 0.9% financing offer, Cadillac is extending its First Responder Discount to professional healthcare workers. The discount is available through June 30. Contact your preferred Cadillac dealer for pricing.

Other Cadillacs – Escalade, CT5, CT6, and leftover inventories of the CTS – are available with a combination of cash rebates, conquest lease cash, and low interest rates, depending on the model.

To address concerns related to dealership sales and social distancing, Cadillac is offering virtual tours of its products via Cadillac Live and promoting its “Shop. Click. Drive.” online shopping, purchase and delivery program.

Cadillac Factory Closures

All Cadillac models are produced in the U.S., and all GM factories in North America were closed during the third week of March to ensure worker safety as well as to prevent inventory from stacking up on dealer lots due to the slowdown in sales.

GM had originally hoped to restart production on March 30. However, as confirmed cases of the coronavirus continued to climb, the automaker was forced to abandon that plan. Production is now scheduled to resume on May 18.

Cadillac Economic Outlook & Sales Forecast

While there’s never a good time for a global pandemic, the timing of the coronavirus is especially frustrating for Cadillac. 

GM’s flagship division was just starting to build momentum on the back of a total product makeover during which it is phasing out the ATS, CTS and XTS nameplates while simultaneously launching the CT4 and CT5 sedans, as well as the XT6 crossover SUV. That’s a lot of alphabet soup, but when completed, Cadillac’s new-product initiative will better position the brand to compete against the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus for the hearts and minds (and dollars) of the American premium vehicle buyer.

Following a rough March, Cadillac sales were down 15.8 percent for the first quarter of 2020 – more than three points worse than the total industry (-12.5%). General Motors is not providing guidance for future quarters, but Dhivya Suryadevara, the company’s chief financial officer, reportedly says the second quarter will be more challenging.

With JD Power forecasting a full-year sales tally of 12.6 million to 14.5 million vehicles – down substantially from its pre-virus estimate of 16.9 million units – things will likely get worse for Cadillac before they get better. 

In the end, however, it’s all about the product, and Cadillac’s long-term fortunes will ultimately be in the sanitized hands of American luxury car buyers.

The information in this article is from Cadillac and was accurate as of May 8, 2020. Plans and programs may have changed since that date. Be sure to confirm with Cadillac that offers discussed in this article remain valid.

Related Resources:

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• All Coronavirus Car Payment Plans and Programs