Shanghai GM to Build Cadillac XTS, Coupe EV in China

General Motors will produce in China the Cadillac XTS luxury sedan that made its global debut in Los Angeles in November and is on display at this week’s Auto China 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.

The XTS will be built by Shanghai GM and sales will begin in the year’s fourth quarter.

GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson, who is visiting the show, says in a statement the all-new Chevrolet Volt-based Cadillac ELR extended range electric vehicle also will be produced and sold throughout China.

The production location for the coupe, its launch date and full details of the EV’s advanced technology features will be announced at a later time.

“China has quickly become the fastest-growing market for Cadillac,” Akerson says. “Last year, sales rose by 73%.

“Introducing the XTS is part of our strategy of adding one new model per year to our Cadillac lineup in China through 2016 to address the needs of luxury car buyers nationwide.”

Cadillac reportedly plans to double its dealer network to about 50 stores in the coming years.