Cadillac, a GM division, announced on Jan. 15, 2002, it will enter one of the fastest emerging market segments with the production of an all-new luxury crossover vehicle, named “SRX.” The Cadillac SRX is one of five all-new Cadillac products planned for production during the next 18 months. It is expected to hit the market during the first half of 2003. “The Cadillac SRX was inspired by the 2001 Cadillac concept car, the Vizon,” said Mark LaNeve, Cadillac general manager, in a speech given at the Automotive News World Conference in Dearborn, MI. “This newest addition to the Cadillac family will demonstrate that we’re unafraid to lead in styling, performance and functionality. SRX will be another boldly designed product from Cadillac featuring unique product innovations that will allow us to expand our portfolio and attract new customers,” said LaNeve. The Cadillac SRX is the division’s first-ever luxury crossover vehicle and its introduction positions Cadillac to compete in a segment it is not in today. The SRX will bridge between Cadillac’s premium entry- and full-size sedans and its utilities. The SRX name is consistent with the Cadillac product naming strategy. The first letter denotes the series. The second and third letters stand for “reconfigurable” and “crossover.” The luxury crossover vehicle will be built at GM’s new state-of-the-art Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant facility. This is the same facility currently producing the 2003 Cadillac CTS sedan.