DETROIT—Cadillac says production has begun on its new extended-range electric vehicle, the ELR.

The car features an electric propulsion system made up of a T-shaped lithium ion battery, an electric drive unit and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car. When the battery’s energy is low, the ELR switches to extended-range mode to enable driving further distances.

Cadillac selected the name ELR to indicate the car’s electric propulsion technology, in keeping with the brand’s 3-letter international model naming convention.

Cadillac will reveal another new concept car at an event prior to the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Cadillac also recently announced it will add two new vehicles to its product lineup in 2012, the XTS large luxury sedan and an all-new luxury compact sedan codenamed ATS.

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