Actually, I’ve always thought they should have led with a Cadillac version. The technology is not unsound but the price is insane. $35K for a $15K car and a $25K engine doesn’t work.
All momentum is lost introducing g the Cadillac version now.
I have to respectfully disagree about leading with a Caddy.
It’s important to GM that Cadillac be perceived (again) as a premium brand. That means to me that significantly different technology should only be introduced to the Cadillac brand if it provides a top-of-the-line performance. If the performance is mediocre, or untested, it depletes the value of the brand.
Maybe I should forgive and forget, but the Cadillac Cimarron, an up-badged Chevy Cavalier, made me very cynical about this sort of thing.