Petrol power isn't dead yet: The 2025 Cadillac Lyriq is launching in Australia to take on the Mercedes-Benz EQE and Audi Q8 e-tron but one of its global executives has walked back plans to go electric car-only by 2030 - report

Cadillac is due to relaunch in Australia later this year after a 55-year hiatus.

The American brand known for its big, luxurious sedans and SUVs had planned to be EV-only by 2023 but not any more, according to reports.

Global Cadillac Vice President John Roth told the Detroit Free Press Cadillac would keep selling petrol-powered cars for some time.

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"EVs and ICE (internal combustion engine), we want to be clear, will coexist for a number of years," Roth said.

Cadillac isn’t the only carmaker to walk back plans to go fully electric.

Mercedes-Benz is one of the biggest brands to delay its switch to full EVs, announcing earlier this year it will continue to sell hybrids and petrol cars well into next decade.

Mercedes-Benz cited weaker than expected demand for EVs as the reason for its change of heart.

The Lyriq is confirmed to launch this year.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Roth told the media the brand would listen to the customer and let them be the guide.

Last year Roth and local boss Jess Bala confirmed Cadillac would launch the Lyriq electric SUV in Australia before the end of this year.

At the time Bala said she didn’t expect Australia to experience an EV sales decline similar to what is taking place in the US.

​​“I don’t see EV sales tapering off or hitting a speed bump here. I think we’re seeing growth and that’s exactly why we think now was the time to bring Cadillac in,” said Bala.

Cadillac is aimed directly at German luxury brands.

The Lyriq is a premium circa-$140,000 family SUV that is aimed at vehicles such as the Polestar 3, BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE.

The Lyriq will be built in right-hand drive at the company’s Spring Hill, Tennessee, factory and will join the C8 Corvette as the second factory built right-hand drive vehicle sold in Australia by GM.

GMSV (General Motors Special Vehicles) sells the Corvette and imports the Silverado pick-up truck which is converted to right-hand drive in its Melbourne factory. GMSV is also preparing to launch the big GMC Yukon SUV soon.

The eight-seat Yukon has been spotted testing in Australia before its expected arrival in showrooms from early 2025.

The new Optiq is smaller than the Lyriq.

More models are expected to follow in the coming years from Cadillac. Those vehicles were previously assumed to be electric-only, but the recent change of direction could open the door to some of its petrol-powered vehicles.

These include the V8-powered Escalade giant SUV and the potent CT5-V Blackwing that uses a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 to pump out about 500kW and 894Nm.

The CT5-V Blackwing can sprint from 0-100km/h in a little more than 3.4 seconds and could replace the hole left in Australian's heart by the Holden Commodore SS.

Other electric vehicles that could make it Down Under include the recently revealed Optiq mid-size SUV and the Escalade IQ full-size SUV.