Autoblog

GMC version of Chevy Colorado to look "significantly differentiated" - if it gets built

Chris Shunk — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:04:00 EST

The mid-size pickup truck segment should get a much-needed shot in the arm when the global Chevrolet Colorado reaches our shores in the near future. We're not exactly sure when the Colorado will be built and sold here, but thanks to its 2011 reveal we have a good idea of what it will look like. We also don't know any specs for the North American model, and we haven't received confirmation whether a GMC variant will follow to replace the current Canyon model.

Car and Driver reports that General Motors President Mark Reuss still won't confirm a GMC spinoff, but he does add that if a "Professional Grade" version of the Colorado is built, it will be very different than its Bowtie-wearing counterpart. As the current Canyon is essentially a badge-swap away from being a Chevy, the idea of increased differentiation strikes us as a welcome development. We aren't exactly sure how much different the would-be pickup might be, but we're guessing that Reuss is referring to more unique parts than than the front fascia and minor trim enhancements that differentiate the GMC Sierra from the Silverado.

Reuss also tells C/D that the new Colorado is surprisingly large - about 90-95 percent of the size of the Silverado, and he notes the truck will feature different powertrains. We assumed that the Colorado will feature different powertrains, and we hope that a fuel-efficient six-cylinder and a diesel offering will be available under the hood.

GMC version of Chevy Colorado to look "significantly differentiated" - if it gets built originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chevy Volt will receive safety enhancements, but don't call it a recall

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:24:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Safety, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Electric

The Chevrolet Volt is about to get safer. That's the big message from GM today as the company announced structural and cooling system "safety enhancements" that are intended to better distribute the car's energy load from a crash and, thus, better protect the battery from potential fires.

Mark Reuss, president of GM North America, said that GM is treating this as a voluntary customer satisfaction issue, and therefor it is not a recall. Still, the process to fix the cars does kind of smell like a recall, since all the Volts that have left the factory - roughly 8,000 already sold and another 4,400 at dealerships (every Ampera will need to get this fix as well) - will need to be changed, a process that takes roughly 2-3 hours, Reuss said. He would not hint at what this could cost GM.

Mary Barra, senior vice president of Global Product Development, said the repair parts should be ready and out to dealers in February. In a conference call with reporters, Barra explained the fix this way:

First, we're going to strengthen an existing portion of the vehicle safety structure that protects the battery pack in the event of a severe side collision. ... The current steel tunnel of the car acts as a safety cage surrounding the battery pack. The side pole test impacts the car directly in line with the cross car structure. ... The structural enhancements more evenly distribute the load to further protect the battery and coolant line in the event of a severe side crash. In addition to these structural modifications, we are going to make enhancements to the cooling system. First, we're going to be installing a sensor in the reservoir of the battery cooling system to monitor battery coolant levels. We're also adding a tamper-resistant bracket to the top of the battery coolant resevoir to prevent a potential coolant overfill.

Barra added that the LG Chem cell chemistry used in the Volt is safe and that, "We still believe liquid cooling is the right option for the Volt."

Since Volt production was shut down for the holidays (as is normal), Reuss said that when it is restarted "very shortly" the safety enhancements will be in place. As for the cars out in the wild, GM dealers can still sell them before the repairs are made because, Reuss said, "the car is safe."

Not everyone is so sure. Reuss said that around 250 Volt owners have requested either a loaner vehicle or a potential buyback, but he said this number may change following today's announcement. As for people who are still shopping, Reuss said, "To our potential customers, if you're in the market, we think you'll be missing an opportunity if you don't consider the Volt."

With that in mind, what does 2012 hold for the Volt? Reuss admitted that even though higher production numbers have been set for the coming year, GM is flexible and that, "We will match supply with demand."

Continue reading Chevy Volt will receive safety enhancements, but don't call it a recall

Chevy Volt will receive safety enhancements, but don't call it a recall originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

GMC to go further upscale?

Chris Shunk — Mon, 09 May 2011 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Crossover, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

2011 GMC Acadia Denali - Click above for high-res image gallery

Despite sharing a lot of dirty bits underneath, General Motors has done a commendable job lately of differentiating GMC and Chevrolet. Look at the Equinox and Terrain or the Acadia and Traverse as proof. Both pairs of vehicles share the same underpinnings, yet each have their own look. That's a definite improvement over prior efforts, and Automotive News is reporting that GM may go further in the future.

Mark Reuss, GM President in North America, tells AN that GM's two-brand approach to trucks needs to be better executed in the future. The high-level exec adds that the similarities in price between the two brands often leads to identical incentives, which has in turn led to the dilution of the GMC brand.

One way to further differentiate GMC is to head upscale, and the Professional Grade has its successful Denali trim range to help make that happen. "I think we can do premium Chevrolets, and take GMC and move it even further up," says Reuss. If GMC were to use Denali to increase luxury sales, the brand would have to incorporate the badging on a lot more vehicles. Right now the Denali brand is limited to Sierra, Yukon and Acadia variants, but a Terrain variant has been spotted testing.

GMC to go further upscale? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 May 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

GM's Mark Reuss says Nissan Leaf is a "single-purpose" car that he wouldn't put in the hands of his three kids

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 06 May 2011 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Nissan, Electric

2011 Nissan Leaf - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mark Reuss, president of General Motors North America, recently voiced his opinions on a slew of issues with the Nashville Business Journal. Reuss spoke of GM's future, the role of the Chevrolet Volt and more. But when the discussion turned to the Nissan Leaf, it became obvious that Reuss is not a fan of the electric hatch.

Reuss explained what he believes to be the most significant drawbacks of electric-only vehicles like the Leaf, stating:

[The Leaf] has a finite range and requires infrastructure and charging to run it, where the Volt is really an extended-range electric vehicle. The Volt can really be the only car you own. You better be living within a certain range for the Leaf. ... It's a lot different market, a lot different car and a completely different driver.

While we think that Reuss should've stopped at that, he didn't. Reuss continued to rag on the Leaf, boldly stating that:

I'm not sure if I'd put the Leaf in the hands of my three kids. Say, what if they can't charge it? What if they get to school and can't charge it? The Leaf is a single-purpose car.

Did Reuss' statements to a little too far? Let us know what you think by voicing your thoughts in 'Comments' below.

GM's Mark Reuss says Nissan Leaf is a "single-purpose" car that he wouldn't put in the hands of his three kids originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 May 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chevrolet Volt production officially begins today, GM auctioning first one for charity [w/video]

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Videos, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

First Chevrolet Volt gets built - Click above to watch the time-lapse video

Want to be like Lance Armstrong and get the first available production model of one of the most eagerly-awaited vehicles of the decade? You can, if you're willing to bid some money to help the Detroit Public Schools - more specifically the Detroit Public Schools Foundation, which supports math and science education.

The "first Chevrolet Volt available for retail sale" will be auctioned on Bidonthevolt.com through 6 p.m. (EST?) December 14, with the winner announced on December 16. The actual first retail Volt will be kept by General Motors, so the Viridian Joule auction car will have a vehicle identification number ending in BU100002. The car includes the Light Neutral interior with dark accents, has the Premium Trim Package, Rear Camera and Park Assist Package and polished wheels. The auction starts at $50,000 and comes with a 240-volt charging station installed in the winner's home. No word on whether of not winning the auction still qualifies you for the $7,500 federal tax credit.

As you might expect, GM is highlighting the connection between all of the advanced technology in the Volt and the math and science needed to create it. General Motors North America president Mark Reuss said in a statement that, "By encouraging Detroit-area students to pursue these topics, we hope to cultivate the next generation of engineers who will build upon the Volt's innovative technologies." To this end, GM will also hire 1,000 engineers and researchers in Michigan within the next two years. You can read about these jobs on AutoblogGreen, but before you go anywhere, check out an official time-lapse build video of the first Chevy Volt after the jump.

[Source: Chevrolet]

Continue reading Chevrolet Volt production officially begins today, GM auctioning first one for charity [w/video]

Chevrolet Volt production officially begins today, GM auctioning first one for charity [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: Top GM execs awarded millions in stock ahead of IPO

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, Earnings/Financials

It pays to be an executive for General Motors. Actually, scratch that... it will soon pay to be an executive with General Motors, assuming that the automaker's upcoming Initial Public Offering takes place according to plan. According to our friends at TheDetroitBureau.com, a dozen top officials at the company could be looking at a payday totaling as much as $13 million or more, depending on the value of GM stock after the IPO.

According to filings submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre, Vice Chairman Tom Stephens, Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell, Vice Chairman Chris Girsky and North American President Mark Reuss are all slated to get major stock deals.

After GM received its $50 billion bailout from the U.S. government, Kenneth Feinberg, Treasury's special master on pay, set up pay restrictions for officials at the automaker that capped salaries at specified levels, oftentimes to no more than $500,000 per year. Naturally, the stock deals awarded to the aforementioned executives after the company's expected IPO should more than help make up for any perceived monetary deficiencies.

[Source: TheDetroitBureau.com]

Report: Top GM execs awarded millions in stock ahead of IPO originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

GM President Mark Reuss: Chevrolet Cruze Coupe "may show up"

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Chevrolet, GM

Chevrolet Cruze - click above for high-res image gallery

Check out this little nugget General Motor's North American president Mark Reuss let slip during a recent web chat:

"[...] 2 door cruze is a nice idea, and it may show up in the global market. As we have 2 door Cobalts currently, [North America] would naturally look at a Cruze 2 door, but I believe our small car portfolio will be WAY beyond what it is now, so a 2 door something still is needed."

Quite interesting, no? Especially as the Cruze will eventually replace the Cobalt as Chevy's C-segment car. We suspect there will be a bit of overlap between the two cars (GM's high-volume models die hard), but the idea of a Cruze SS Coupe is quite tantalizing. To us at any rate.

Also lip smacking is another bit of info Reuss let slip when a man named Pete asked the following question, "Can you tell us if the plans for a ZETA RWD sedan in one of the core brands is moving forward?" Mr. Reuss' response, "quite possibly Pete......." That's not the Lutzian answer we're used to ("RWD, twin-turbo wagons with manuals for all!") but it's not a "no," either. Also of note, Reuss, a competition-license carrying "car guy" at one time owned Buick GNX #446. Good to know, and stay tuned....

Gallery: LA 2009: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

[Source: GM Reinvention]

GM President Mark Reuss: Chevrolet Cruze Coupe "may show up" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

GM announces sweeping North American management shuffle

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:22:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Marketing/Advertising, GM

It may be tough to remember the news earlier in the day that Bryan Nesbitt would be out as the head of Cadillac and back to his old position as executive director, advanced concept group. A metric ton of reveals from the Geneva Motor Show has a tendency to do that kind of thing... but General Motors rather quietly let loose a whole slew of sweeping changes to its North American leadership team. According to Mark Reuss, GM North America president:

It's become extremely clear to me since taking this role that there is a better way to structure this organization. The premise of the structure is simple - a clearer marketing focus to sell more vehicles, and freeing our sales and service experts to focus on customers and dealers... We've worked with a small group of executives to align this model and appoint the best candidates for each job.

Shortly after the announcement went out, Reuss held a conference call during which he admitted that GM's sales performance was not keeping up with the progress the automaker has recently made with its vehicle lineup. Hence, the leadership shakeup. The moves are way too thorough to go over here, so we suggest you click on past the break for the complete rundown straight from The General. Summing up the changes, Reuss had this to say:

This structure has been developed with as few layers as possible between me, the dealer and the customer. By removing layers and giving leaders increased accountability, we allow them to move faster and focus on what needs to be done.

[Source: General Motors | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

Continue reading GM announces sweeping North American management shuffle

GM announces sweeping North American management shuffle originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: GM's Mark Reuss ponders return of VE Commodore to U.S.

Dan Roth — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:34:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, GMC, Holden, Australia, Rumormill, Specialty

Holden VE Ute - Click above for high-res image gallery

As if General Motors hasn't endured enough turmoil in the last year, Pickuptrucks.com is reporting that GM North America president Mark Reuss is championing the idea of a stateside Holden VE Ute. Pardon us for thinking this issue was dead and buried in 2009, interred in the graveyard of stillborn ideas. Reuss, who ran Holden for GM during the VE's development, has a soft spot for the admittedly excellent platform that we only shortly knew as the Pontiac G8. While that dalliance was only marginally longer lived than Jay Leno's move to prime time (the promised G8 Sport Truck was announced and then canceled before birth), Reuss thinks that GMC or Chevrolet could proudly park the Ute in U.S. showrooms.

Rather than let all the hard work done to bring the G8 to fruition go to waste, Reuss is also reportedly looking for a slot for that car, as well. If GM can get the Ute classed as a truck in North America, it might play a significant role in Corporate Average Fuel Economy ratings, and that may be enough reason alone to offer a neo-El Camino. A revised G8 popping up under another GM moniker would be welcomed by the auto punditry, though may still fail to move enough units to make an impact. There's no denying that niche vehicles such as the Ute and G8 have a following, but we wonder how much focus these efforts are stealing from the pivotal vehicles that must launch and continue to sell without a hitch. As exciting as a Ute might be, a flawless and successfully marketed launch of the new Chevrolet Aveo is likely far more important to GM's financial health at this point than some hoon sled.

Gallery: Holden VE Ute

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

Report: GM's Mark Reuss ponders return of VE Commodore to U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Saab Saga Update: Genii and Spyker pondering joint bid? Workers rally in Trollhätten, etc.

Chris Paukert — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing

Saab: A history in pictures - Click above for high-res gallery

Despite the fact that the Detroit Auto Show put the focus back on General Motors' new products and pulled the spotlight away from the will-they/won't-they saga that is the Saab sale/wind-down, there are no shortage of developments to report in the ongoing story.

Yesterday, Genii Capital and Bernie Ecclestone submitted a freshly revised bit for Saab, and Spyker Cars reportedly also did so, with CEO Victor Muller going so far as to say that, "We have shown Mr. Whitacre the money." For its part, Merbanco has also apparently been asked to tweak its bid by General Motors, and it has done so as well.

Swedish-language outlet Svenska Dagbladet has reported that Genii and Spyker may team up to present an even stronger bid, and Dagens Industri has gone so far as to speculate that Genii and Spyker might try to pull Renault into a three-way deal (as you may remember, Genii purchased Renault's Formula One team recently), but Saabs United indicates that there's not much to this rumor.

In what critics are suggesting as a less-than-good-faith move, GM may also schedule transportation of the 2010 Saab 9-5's tooling to China as early as tomorrow, January 15, where the model would likely be built wearing Buick badges. The General appointed Steven Taylor and Peter Torngren to oversee the liquidation of Saab on Monday, and as part of that move, they replaced both Saab's CEO and board effective immediately.

Despite all of this, GM's new president of North America, Mark Reuss, has been quoted suggesting that the protracted bidding struggle may continue until early February, all while GM continues to the process of shuttering the brand. It's enough to make us long for the simpler days of last November, when Saab was nearly sold to Koenigsegg for the symbolic sum of one krona (about .14 cents).

While all of this has been happening, Saab enthusiasts have apparently been gearing up for dozens of rallies around the globe to show support for the sale of the battered marque, with organizers in Yekatarinburg, Russia going so far as to create a commercial and running it on local television. On Tuesday, workers at Saab's Trollhätten plant rallied, calling for the newly-appointed liquidators at AlixPartners to "go home." This, as the very first Saab 9-3 convertible came off the line in Sweden - previous droptops had been assembled by Valmet in Findland and Magna Steyr in Austria.

Given how painfully drawn-out this process has become, we have to wonder... will there be anything left to save when all the chips fall? A final, they-really-mean-it-this-time decision on Saab's fate could happen as early as tomorrow, but sources close to the negotiations seem to think that the proceedings are likely to drag out into next week.

Gallery: Saab - A History in Pictures

[Sources: Saabs United, Saab History, Swedish Wire, Earth Times, Business Week; Contract Hire and Leasing]

Saab Saga Update: Genii and Spyker pondering joint bid? Workers rally in Trollhätten, etc. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: GM may reopen factories to keep up with high demand

Chris Shunk — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM

2010 Cadillac SRX - Click above for high-res gallery

General Motors had a tough 2009, but one very bright spot was the success of some of its newest models. GM North America President Mark Reuss has informed reporters at the Detroit Auto Show that the plants that build the Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and Buick LaCrosse are already at full capacity and The General simply cannot meet demand. That's a good problem to have, and GM is working on a backup plan in the event demand for cars and trucks exceeds its current capacity.

The Associated Press reports that Reuss told the media that the solution to too much demand could be to reopen one of the General's shuttered plants. Reuss specifically pointed to the company's Spring Hill facility in Tennessee as a factory that could reopen to augment production, which makes sense in light of the fact that GM recently spent many millions of dollars to upgrade the plant to build the Chevrolet Traverse. Assuming GM can relight the fires at Spring Hill, that money would appear to be well spent, as Reuss reminded reporters that Spring Hill is flexible enough to build several different models.

GM has placed its Janesville, Wisconsin and Spring Hill plants on standby in the event that it needs more capacity when the U.S. auto industry begins to improve. Considering that new plants can cost over a billion dollars, we're thinking that's a pretty good idea.

Gallery: Preview Drive: Cadillac SRX

Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: The Associated Press via Yahoo]

Report: GM may reopen factories to keep up with high demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Detroit 2010: Quote of the day

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, GM, Humor

"... a lot of stuff happened."

- Mark Reuss, General Motors' new North American president, on 2009

[Image by Bill Pugliano/Getty]

Detroit 2010: Quote of the day originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BREAKING: Whitacre to shakeup GM management, put Lutz in product planning [UPDATE: Confirmed]

Chris Paukert — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM, Earnings/Financials

Having just been appointed interim CEO at General Motors earlier this week, ex-AT&T man Ed Whitacre isn't wasting any time in exercising his newfound authority. According to The Wall Street Journal, Whitacre is to announce a number of management changes this morning, including moving Vice Chairman Bob Lutz from his role in marketing to a more product planning-focused role. Whitacre is also expected to promote some of the company's younger managers to new positions, although it has not yet been revealed who is targeted.

According to the WSJ, Whitacre "drew up the new management blueprint in a matter of four hours," suggesting to us that he already had a number of changes in mind. Further, he is also expected to combine GM's sales and marketing divisions

While Whitacre has only been on the job since Tuesday and he is technically only considered an interim appointment at this time, the search for a new CEO is thought likely to take months, if not a year. From the looks of things, Whitacre isn't looking at himself as simply a placeholder, though, and we wouldn't be surprised to see more changes as the weeks and months roll by.

*UPDATE: Changes confirmed: GM has issued a press release (viewable after the jump). Among the moves, Bob Lutz will be an 'advisor' on design and global product - he will retain his title of vice chairman. Other changes include Mark Reuss named as president of GM North America, Susan Docherty appointed VP, vehicle sales, service, and marketing operations. For a full list of changes, click past the jump for the release.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal I Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

Continue reading BREAKING: Whitacre to shakeup GM management, put Lutz in product planning [UPDATE: Confirmed]

BREAKING: Whitacre to shakeup GM management, put Lutz in product planning [UPDATE: Confirmed] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: SS badge to return to its roots at Chevy

Chris Shunk — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:20:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet, GM

When the SS badge returned to Chevrolet, we were pretty excited. But then the double letter #19 made its way onto the last generation Malibu, and we were immediately and nearly permanently turned off. General Motors later turned up the heat with the turbocharged Cobalt SS and HHR SS, and while we liked those models very much, they in no way conjured up thoughts of 1960's and 1970's Impala and Chevelle SS models. And with more stringent fuel economy standards and government-mandated CO2 reductions, it appears that the SS moniker could well be relegated to the new Camaro. Or maybe not.

Mark Reuss, GM vice president of global engineering, recently told AutoWeek that the SS badge is alive and well. But instead of slapping it on anything and everything with elevated horsepower, the General will instead focus on a more selective process. In other words, we're guessing the ill-conceived FWD Impala SS won't happen again any time soon. Or at least we hope. And while Reuss doesn't hold the glitzy profile of a big-time player like Bob Lutz, the global engineering VP does have plenty of street cred. He worked in Australia to build the RWD Zeta platform that currently underpins the Camaro here in the States, and Zeta is one platform we're dying to see more of here.

So if the SS badge is only going to be considered on a case by case basis, our big question is.... what's next? Well, we have no idea which Chevy will next don the SS badge, but we're hoping recent rumors of a Volt SS are just that: rumors. Perhaps Reuss will convince his fellow executives to marry the SS badge, the Chevy Bowtie and his pride and joy Zeta platform to make a four-door counterpart to the Camaro. That's one way to get yourself Lutz-like notoriety.

[Source: Automotive News subs req'd]

REPORT: SS badge to return to its roots at Chevy originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Holden working on Cruze hatch... but will it come to North America?

Chris Paukert — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, GM, Holden, Australia

According to Australia's Drive, Holden boss Mark Reuss has confirmed that General Motors' Australian outpost will produce a hatchback version of the Cruze sedan that it shares with Chevrolet.

The liftback will apparently be very much an Aussie product, with research and development being carried out Down Under, and there are plans to assemble the model at Holden's South Australian plant beginning in the fall of 2010. Critically, it's being built with foreign markets in mind, so that could mean that the model might find its way to North American shores, although const constraints would likely make such things difficult on such a low-cost model.

As it has here in the States, GM has halted importation of the European-built Astra into Australia due to cost concerns, and it also stopped selling the Korean-built Viva (a rebadged Daewoo Lacetti) earlier in 2009.

Interestingly, Drive suggests that the Cruze hatch model could be an upmarket stablemate to the sedan model, with different steering and suspension tunings, along with unique styling. While that sounds enticing, a higher-cost hatchback model might not go well with America's historically hatchback-averse marketplace, leading us to doubt that the car will eventually be offered Stateside.

As of yet, there are no official plans to build a version of the hatchback domestically in Chevrolet's Lordstown, Ohio plant where the Cruze sedan will be assembled.

[Source: Drive.com.au]

REPORT: Holden working on Cruze hatch... but will it come to North America? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments