At the SAE Convergence conference in Detroit, General Motors' (GM) North America President Mark Reuss revealed that the automaker has plans underway to commence the production of its first luxury plug-in hybrid electric vehicle - the all-new Cadillac ELR luxury coupe - in 2013.

According to the information shared by Reuss, the ELR will be built at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant, the same facility which manufacturers the Chevrolet Volt; and will make Cadillac a direct competitor of other luxury electric vehicles, including the Karma from Fisker Automotive, and Model S from Tesla Motors.

The two-door, four-seat ELR extended-range electric vehicle will not only share the same manufacturing plant as the Volt, but will also share the Volt's extended-range electric powertrain. In addition, the ELR will also operate much like the Volt in the sense that it will run fully on battery-supplied electric power till the battery charge is consumed; and then switch over to a gasoline-powered electric generator.

Revealing that the ELR will be based on the Cadillac Converj concept vehicle which was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2009, Reuss - though refraining from disclosing the ELR's likely price-tag - said that the production version of the ELR will probably be unveiled by GM at the 2013 Detroit auto show.

Noting that the Cadillac ELR will reiterate GM's commitment to electric vehicles and advanced technology, Reuss said: "People will instantly recognize it as a Cadillac by its distinctive, signature look and true-to-concept exterior design."