Who Owns Cadillac?
Cadillac is owned by General Motors (GM), an American multinational automotive manufacturer. Cadillac operates as General Motors' luxury vehicle division. The brand is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and is one of the oldest luxury automotive brands in the United States.
Parent Company
Unknown
Founded
1902
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Who Owns Cadillac?
History of Cadillac
- Founded: 1902
- Founders: Henry M. Leland
Cadillac was founded in 1902 by Henry M. Leland in Detroit, Michigan. The brand was established as a luxury automobile manufacturer, becoming one of the first American luxury car brands. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for premium American automobiles while establishing a distinctive brand identity that would become synonymous with American luxury for generations.
Throughout the early 20th century, Cadillac became renowned for its precision engineering, luxury features, and innovative technology. The brand established itself as a symbol of American luxury and prestige, competing with European luxury manufacturers while maintaining distinctive American design characteristics and engineering approaches. This period of innovation demonstrated Cadillac's ability to combine American manufacturing excellence with luxury automotive standards while creating a competitive advantage in the global luxury market.
In 1909, General Motors acquired Cadillac, integrating the brand into its corporate structure. Under General Motors' ownership, Cadillac continued to develop innovative vehicles and maintain its position as a leading American luxury brand. This strategic acquisition demonstrated General Motors' exceptional ability to identify and acquire premium brands that could serve as flagship vehicles while providing the resources necessary for continued innovation and market leadership.
Throughout the mid-20th century, Cadillac became iconic for its distinctive design, large engines, and luxury appointments. The brand represented American automotive excellence and was favored by executives, celebrities, and affluent consumers. This period of dominance established Cadillac as the definitive American luxury brand while creating a cultural significance that extended beyond the automotive market into broader American popular culture.
In recent decades, Cadillac has undergone significant transformation, introducing modern designs, advanced technology, and electric vehicles. The brand has repositioned itself to compete with contemporary luxury brands while maintaining its heritage and American identity. This strategic evolution demonstrates Cadillac's ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences and competitive pressures while preserving the core brand values that have defined its success for over a century.
About
What does General Motors own?
General Motors owns four automotive brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac. The company also owns GM Financial, its captive finance subsidiary, and Cruise, its autonomous vehicle subsidiary. GM operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China (through joint ventures), Brazil, and South Korea. The company's OnStar connected vehicle service is also a wholly owned subsidiary. GM previously owned Pontiac, Saturn, Saab, Hummer, and Opel/Vauxhall, all of which were divested or discontinued.
Is General Motors publicly traded?
Yes, General Motors is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker GM. The company relisted on the NYSE in November 2010 following its emergence from bankruptcy in 2009. GM does not have a controlling shareholder, and its shares are held primarily by institutional investors. The US government, which provided approximately 50 billion US dollars in bailout funding during the 2009 bankruptcy, sold its remaining stake in GM in 2013.
Who founded General Motors?
General Motors was founded by William Crapo Durant on September 16, 1908, in Flint, Michigan. Durant was a successful carriage manufacturer who had acquired Buick Motor Company in 1904 and used it as the foundation for GM. Durant lost control of GM twice due to financial difficulties and was permanently replaced in 1920. Alfred P. Sloan Jr. subsequently became the dominant figure in GM's management and is credited with developing the multi-brand strategy and the concept of the annual model change.
Where is General Motors headquartered?
General Motors is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, USA, where the company has been based since its founding. The company's global headquarters is located at the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit. GM operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Brazil, and South Korea, among other locations.
How many brands does General Motors own?
General Motors currently operates four brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac. The company previously operated additional brands including Pontiac, Saturn, Oldsmobile, Hummer, and Saab, all of which were discontinued or divested. GM also operated Opel and Vauxhall in Europe, which were sold to PSA Group (now Stellantis) in 2017.
Who owns General Motors?
General Motors is a publicly traded company with no controlling shareholder. The company's shares are held primarily by institutional investors including major asset managers and index funds. No single shareholder holds a majority stake in GM. The US government, which held a majority stake following the 2009 bailout, sold its remaining shares in 2013. Mary Barra serves as Chairman and CEO.
- Founded:
- Headquarters:
- Company Type: Privately Held
Where Is Cadillac Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, China
Cadillac Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Backed by General Motors' manufacturing resources and technology
- +Historic brand heritage and American luxury positioning
- +Strong distribution network and dealership support
- +Investment in electric vehicle technology and innovation
- +Access to advanced engineering and design capabilities
Considerations
- -Intense competition from established European luxury brands
- -Building modern brand perception while maintaining heritage
- -Economic sensitivity affecting luxury vehicle purchases
- -Balancing luxury positioning with GM's mainstream brand identity
- -Establishing distinct luxury service experience
Frequently Asked Questions About Cadillac
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Cadillac
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because Cadillacoperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
Jobs at undefined
Latest News About Cadillac
Related Articles About Cadillac
View more articlesThe Automotive Brand Family Tree: Who Owns Every Car Brand in 2026
Toyota, Lexus, Jeep, Maserati, Porsche, Lamborghini. The car industry is a web of corporate ownership. This guide maps every major auto brand to its parent company.
Monthly M&A Roundup: February 2026 Brand Ownership Changes
From Keurig Dr Pepper's planned split to the Netflix-WBD saga, here is every major brand ownership change and deal in February 2026.
The Most Acquired Categories: Tech vs CPG vs Pharma
Which industries see the most brand acquisitions? We compared technology, consumer goods, and pharmaceuticals to find out where the most M&A activity happens and why.
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the Automotive category and related searches from other users.

Abarth
Iconic Italian high-performance automotive brand specializing in sporty variants of Fiat vehicles, known for its racing heritage, distinctive scorpion logo, and recent expansion into electrified performance models.

Acura
Japanese luxury vehicle brand owned by Honda Motor Company, specializing in premium automobiles.

Alfa Romeo
Italian luxury sports car manufacturer owned by Stellantis, known for performance and design heritage.