REPORT: GM delays Chevy Cruze launch by three months
2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Click above for high-res image gallery
Like other automakers, General Motors would prefer to avoid the recall stigma that plagued first-year examples of rival Ford's Focus a decade ago. North American versions of that car were recalled five times in the first year to fix early production glitches. The new Chevrolet Cruze had been scheduled to launch production at the company's Lordstown, Ohio factory in April of next year, but according to The Detroit News, that timeline has now been pushed back to July.
Although earlier launches of the Cruze in China and Europe have not endured any serious problems, this is the company's first major new product since it was re-born out of bankruptcy this summer, and GM wants to avoid anything going wrong in the U.S. as well.
The Cruze is expected to hit 40 mpg in highway driving with its new 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. According to the DetNews, the delay will also give GM time to have every variant of Cruze ready for customers on day one. Often, production launches are staggered with some trim levels and build combinations held back at first. This frequently causes problems for an automaker if they don't build enough examples of the models people actually want to buy.
Gallery: 2010 Chevy Cruze - live shots
[Source: The Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
UtahAlumnus 11:25AM (10/29/2009)
By the time it comes out, the exterior design is going to be outdated.
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fixitfixitstop 11:34AM (10/29/2009)
It already is outdated. :/
Danimal 11:42AM (10/29/2009)
I think it looks hot.
/crosses fingers hoping they find some way to get us an SS version
Luis 12:22PM (10/29/2009)
It really is already outdated. It's really sad that this same design will be on sale in 2015. 2015! And who knows, with GM it might be 2020 when this same Cruze is still being sold. So lame.
Hellas 1:36PM (10/29/2009)
I have seen this car so many times while in Europe this summer that in my mind its like a 3 year old design already....and truthfully its not like its going to revolutionize the segment..its simply a typical bread and butter sedan, not that it would make you switch brands or something...
I cant figure out why it takes soooooo long to get the same model built in N.A....and I dont want to hear about emissions and safety standards...thats just BS
Greg Aryous 2:00PM (10/29/2009)
Agreed, it already looks several years old and not cutting edge at all, especially compared to whats coming from Ford - Fiesta and Focus. Plus, Ford has a family of vehicles planned for the "C" platform - 3-door, cabrio, 4-door sedan, 5-door hatch, Kuga CUV, C-max, Transit Connect (mercury and Lincoln vehicles) and more to leverage the platform and make a profit, unlike Gov't Motors, they don't know what the hell they are doing... constantly changing directions as noted by this blog... not good for consistency or quality.
David 2:54PM (10/29/2009)
I'm supposed to get excited about yet another Cavalier?
I don't think so! I wasn't fooled by the "all-new" Cobalt, and I'm not going to be fooled by this one either. I look at it and can think of nothing else but yet ANOTHER Cavalier.
So, GM already fails in their bid for newness.
Not THAT Matt 6:40PM (10/29/2009)
"a typical bread and butter sedan"
So it's like the Toyota Corolla? Only not as boring, and gets 40 MPG?
the4thheat 7:47PM (10/29/2009)
@Danimal
Hot? I mean it looks OK and acceptably modern for right now but it's not coming out yet for some time. Not being ugly is one thing but this car is not hot.
Jared 12:41PM (10/30/2009)
This car isn't supposed to have the hottest new design. The hotter the design, the more controversial it is to the average new car buyer. As said before, this is supposed to be GM's bread and butter sedan. High milage, good looks (compared to others on the market right now), and a good OTD price. I bet GM will sell a good amount of these, since its FAR better looking to whats on the lots now.
Coolio 11:25AM (10/29/2009)
Well, I guess they should get it right. But hurry !!!
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zamafir 11:47AM (10/29/2009)
they just want to release it right when ford releases the fiesta to show the cruze has no issues going head to head against ford's best and pummeling it.
Gloria 12:02PM (10/29/2009)
The Fiesta starts production in March, and will be in dealerships in April/May.
The Fiesta competes with the Aveo.
The Cruze, which will supposedly start production in August, should be seen in dealerships in Sept/Oct.
The Cruze competes with the Focus. The all new Focus will be out shortly after the Cruze.
B-class car: Fiesta, Aveo
C-class car: Focus, Cruze.
Btz 12:09PM (10/29/2009)
The Fiesta is not competing with the Cruze, it's competing with the Aveo. The Focus is competing with the Cruze.
Rich 2:43PM (10/29/2009)
...and the current generation Focus has been out far longer than the Cruze has overseas.
It has an equal, if not better, footing, compared to its competition.
Other Man 11:25AM (10/29/2009)
Is it just me or have they delayed this thing a few times?
It's going to be practically mid-life by the time they release this thing. I thought it was supposed to be an 09 originally.
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Wanted 12:18PM (10/29/2009)
True... I have been anticipating a test drive, and later on, a purchase of the Cruze since 2008. I suppose we shouldn't get used to cars looking so conceptually futuristic and expect a relaunch every 2 to 3 years just for the sake of futurism. Design has already taken leaps and bounds from just 5-10 model years ago.
Either way, I'm kind of disappointed that GM isn't hyping up the Cruze like the Volt, especially considering that this is supposed to be the car that "saves" GM. Chevrolet's Web site dedicated to its future cars is pitiful.
why not the LS2LS7? 12:34PM (10/29/2009)
I don't think it's been delayed until now, although I could be wrong. I think people just confused the global rollout with the US rollout.
Hamhock 2:32PM (10/29/2009)
And the Camaro was supposed to be an '07 originally....
jabombardier 6:56PM (10/29/2009)
there is nothing disappointing in delaying a product to make it right the first time off the assembly line.