If the buyer base is small, provide the opportunity to enhance the exclusivity so the smallness is a big deal

By Gary S. Vasilash

People who buy Cadillac CT5 models are in a comparatively small group.

That is, during the first half of 2025 Cadillac sold 8,168 of the sport sedans.

Presumably the number of those who purchased the CT5-V Blackwing variant is a smaller subset.

And perhaps because the folks at Cadillac realize there is something to be said for exclusivity, the 2026 CT5-V Blackwing—powered by a 668-hp 6.2-liter V8—will be offered in a highly specialized version: one that is crafted with the “Curated by Cadillac” program.

The term crafted is used deliberately because these cars will be hand-built at the company’s Artisan Center in Warren, Michigan, the same place the ultra-exclusive CELESTIQ is produced.

And while the term “hand-built” may be thought to be a bit of an exaggeration, it isn’t.

According to a Cadillac spokesperson:

“Within the Artisan Center’s walls, a selected team of highly talented artisan makers, united in their vision for perfection, will hand-build every client’s 2026 CT5-V Blackwing Curated vehicle from the ground up.”

Yes, they are creating these cars.

The company is taking advantage of the resources it has to make special vehicles.

The customers (called “clients”) will be able to choose from more than 160 exterior colors.

There are exclusive interior colors and materials, as well.

This isn’t a case where someone goes to a website and clicks on choices.

A concierge is assigned to each customer client.

Cadillac:

“Each concierge has a design background and is trained and equipped to work with each client to create their unique vehicle vision.”

Of course, all of this comes at a cost: The expected MSRP is $158,000.

To put that in perspective: a 2025 CT5 CT5-V Blackwing has a starting MSRP of $95,595.

Exclusivity isn’t inexpensive.

But it is to Cadillac’s credit that it is optimizing the limited buyer base by providing an opportunity to achieve greater exclusivity.