It seems automakers like playing the name game these days. Mercedes->ke187 just released its new naming scheme for its SUVs->ke145 and SLK->ke1683 sports cars->ke506 and just last year, Infiniti->ke36 swapped in a new Q->ke1262 and QX->ke1261 naming system for its sedans->ke142 and SUVs. Well the same man, Johan de Nysschen, who was behind Infiniti’s nomenclature restructuring, is doing the same thing as the new CEO of Cadillac.->ke18

The brand just registered a slew of new alphanumeric names with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Like Infiniti’s Q and QX distinctions, Cadillac will use CT for sedans and XT for crossovers and SUVs. Under the CT category, Caddy registered CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT7, and CT8. The same can be said for the XT designations as well, including XT2, XT3, XT4, XT5, XT6, XT7, and XT8.

Now new naming scheme doesn’t come as a big surprise as the automaker already announced its upcoming CT6 luxury sedan back in September. At that time, Cadillac also announced it would not roll out new vehicle names company wide, but would rather be renaming them as each vehicle underwent its scheduled refresh or redesign.

It’s also hard to miss the fact Cadillac doesn’t currently have the number of models it registered names for. While it might just have been done to reserve the space, Nysschen might be itching to roll out a host of new products. It’s also worth noting he has previously said the Escalade->ke245 name will remain thanks to its successful brand equity.

Click past the jump to read more about Cadillac's new naming strategy.

Why it matters

While we miss name like Eldorado and Deville, an alphanumeric naming system does make a lot of sense. Having each name definitively rank where a vehicle resides among its stablemates is a good thing for the casual shopper. Such names are easy to comprehend and keep track of.

Cadillac CT6

The CT6 is Cadillac’s answer to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, and BMW 7 Series. It’s a full-on luxury cruiser with the size of a proper German sedan and will be constructed from lightweight materials like aluminum.

While GM hasn’t released any details on what’s powering the CT6, we know the beautiful Elmiraj concept released in 2013 came powered with a 4.5-liter twin-turbo V-8 that pumped out some 500 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque.

Pricing should be expected to stick close to that of Mercedes, BMW, and Audi’s competitors, so figure in around $100,000.