Cadillac showcased a new electric SUV concept on the eve of the 2019 Detroit auto show.

The new Cadillac EV will be built on a unique electric platform and compete with Tesla's Model X SUV.

Cadillac is set to become General Motors' lead electric brand.



DETROIT — Last week, GM announced that its 116-year-old Cadillac luxury brand would take the lead on the carmaker's electrification strategy.

On Sunday, Cadillac revealed its first all-electric design, an SUV that will be based on a fresh EV platform.

"Cadillac's EV will hit the heart of the crossover [SUV] market and meet the needs of customers around the world," Cadillac president Steve Carlisle said in a statement.

"It will represent the height of luxury and innovation while positioning Cadillac as the pinnacle of mobility."

Targeting Tesla. Cadillac The vehicle showcased on Sunday doesn't yet have a name, but Cadillac did provide limited details on the engineering concept.

"GM's future EV platform, which Cadillac will be the first to use, will be flexible, allowing the company to respond quickly to customer preferences with a relatively short design and development lead time," the automaker said.

"The Cadillac portfolio will eventually benefit from a variety of body styles that can be spun off this architecture."

Read more: GM is defying naysayers with a bullish 2019 outlook, and plans to take on Tesla with Cadillac

The new design will compete directly with Tesla's Model X, the main all-electric crossover currently in the market.

It's been a big 2019 Detroit auto show for Cadillac; the brand also revealed a three-row SUV, the XT6, and suggested that the legendary Escalade SUV may be updated soon.

"Overall, Cadillac will introduce new models at the rate of roughly one every six months through 2021," Cadillac said in a statement.