General Motors plans to introduce its Super Cruise hands-free driving assistance technology in Europe from mid-December, making it available in eligible Cadillac electric vehicles nearly two years after first announcing its intention to enter the market.
Initially, the system will operate across more than 180,000 kilometers (112,000 miles) of approved roads in over 15 European countries, including Germany, France and Switzerland, the company revealed on Wednesday.
GM made the announcement at Auto Zürich, Switzerland’s motor show, which opens to the public on Thursday and runs until Sunday. Luca Patrignani, Managing Director of GM Europe, also confirmed the development, describing his experience with Super Cruise as impressive and expressing excitement about customers getting the opportunity to use the technology themselves.
Super Cruise enables hands-free driving on designated roads, although drivers must remain attentive, while requiring them to remain attentive and prepared to resume control of the vehicle at any time. The system uses a driver-monitoring feature to track attentiveness, while a green light bar on the steering wheel indicates when Super Cruise is engaged.
In Europe, the technology will initially operate on designated motorways and other multi-lane roads at speeds ranging from a standstill to 130 km/h (81 mph), including in congested stop-and-go traffic. GM said the Level 2 driver-assistance system can steer, accelerate, and brake automatically while maintaining lane position and a preset following distance from the vehicle ahead.
Drivers can also initiate lane changes via the turn signal. When traffic conditions permit, and the adjacent lane is clear, the vehicle can complete the maneuver automatically.
The system is also integrated with Google Maps, allowing users to identify Super Cruise-compatible roads during route planning and view the proportion of a journey that can be completed hands-free. The system’s maps and software will also receive over-the-air updates. While Swiss trade publication Automobil Revue reported that the service would initially be available in 16 countries, GM has not yet released the complete list of markets.
GM stated that Super Cruise will be offered on the Cadillac Optiq from the 2025 model year, while the Lyriq and Vistiq will receive the technology from the 2026 model year. Availability will depend on vehicle supply and individual market requirements.
Existing vehicles already delivered to European customers may also receive Super Cruise through a software update installed by an authorized Cadillac service partner, according to Automobil Revue.
GM will provide the feature at no additional cost for the first three years, starting either from the vehicle’s initial registration or, for vehicles already in service, from the date of software installation. Following this period, customers will be required to maintain an active Super Cruise subscription alongside a Connected Services plan. GM has not disclosed subscription prices for Europe, noting that availability, features, pricing and terms may differ depending on the vehicle, market and subscription package.
The system combines LiDAR-based mapping data with cameras, radar sensors, GPS, adaptive cruise control, and a driver-monitoring system to support its hands-free driving capabilities. GM said it conducted extensive validation and testing across European routes and introduced software refinements tailored to regional driving conditions. The company did not disclose which regulatory authority approved the system for use.
First launched in North America in 2017, Super Cruise has since been used for more than 1.5 billion kilometers (approximately 930 million miles) of driving, according to GM. The technology is already available in Canada, China, and South Korea, with a rollout in the Middle East planned in the near future.
GM reported delivering approximately 83,000 Super Cruise-equipped vehicles in the third quarter, taking total deliveries for the year beyond 243,000. The figures were disclosed alongside the company’s third-quarter financial results in October.
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