Tesla earns respect from Detroit

The CTS and XTS are probably the closest in terms of form and function. In regards to price, they start at $45k and stop short of $74k. The CTS-V starts at a higher $64k. The cars listed on the table all start at over $70k and can go over six figures. So the Cadillac sedans may be considered a step down in terms of competition. That's not a comment on the Caddy's quality or luxuriness. Just that the lower entry fee means a wider potential customer base and sales. It would be really impressive if the Tesla S beat their sales numbers considering the $20k price difference.

The ELR was conceived as a Tesla competitor, and has a similar price range. Those cynical of luxury brands would just call it an overpriced Volt. It basically is, but has nearly every advanced and luxury upgrade you can get on a Cadillac. Which doesn't magically change the fact that it is smaller than the S with just two doors. GM knew it was going to lose to Tesla early on, and thus went with limited production runs to save some face and recoup some of the development costs of the Volt.

 

Bob, the Tesla S also competes at the next lower level of higher power luxury
BMW 5 series, Mercedes E, Audi 6, Lexus GS. Here Cadillac has the CTS, but Cadillac doesn't have a flag ship top of the line competitor. They are working on the ct6 which will be a competitor.

Tesla really hasn't hurt cadillac yet, which is why they can be honest about it. The model x though will compete with the escallade, and model 3 will compete with the cts and ats.

Audi is projecting in 20 years 40% of these luxury cars will be phevs or bevs. If battery costs keep going down, I'm sure they are right. If you make it a phev, you don't need a 300+ hp ice or a 8 speed transmission.