Autoblog

REPORT: Chevrolet Cruze SS being pushed for hard by company insiders

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Chevrolet

2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Click above for high-res image gallery

Still mourning the death of Chevrolet's pint-sized pocket rocket, the Cobalt SS? According to a report from Motor Authority, you're not alone, and a number of those fellow fans come from right inside Chevrolet's own hallways. This begs the question: With the Cruze set to replace the aging Cobalt for the 2011 model year, is there any chance that General Motors will revive the SS nomenclature for a high performance version? Could be, though we're certainly not holding our breathe.

The powerplant for the supposed Cruze SS is ripe for the picking in the form of the excellent 260-horsepower turbocharged and direct injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder called Ecotec and six-speed manual gearbox as seen in the defunct Cobalt SS and still-available HHR SS, including the very cool Launch Control and No-Lift Shift technology. Of course, the Cruze's rear torsion bar suspenders may limit the car's handling prowess a bit, but a wholesale redesign would cost way too much for a low-volume SS model.

In any case, if the car ever does come to market - and, like we said, we're not holding our breathe - it won't appear right away, perhaps instead for the car's planned mid-cycle refresh in 2014.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

[Source: Motor Authority]

REPORT: Chevrolet Cruze SS being pushed for hard by company insiders originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2009: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, mass-market potential has four doors

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM

2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is finally coming Stateside and during a private event held earlier this evening ahead of the LA Auto Show, General Motors - 20 minutes after announcing the departure of Fritz Henderson as CEO - unveiled the U.S.-spec version of its Cobalt replacement and Toyota Corolla competitor.

Sharing much of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt's architecture, the Cruze has the potential to be a massive leap forward for Chevy in the mid-size/compact segment. Larger than the Cobalt in almost every dimension and packing a choice of either a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder putting out 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque or a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter four-pot, fuel economy and efficiency take center stage. However, "driving enjoyment" was mentioned more than once during the presentation, so to aid both its fuel consumption (an estimated 40 mpg with the turbo'd four) and enhance the experience, buyers will be able to choose between a manual or automatic six-speed gearbox.

Although we've seen the Cruze in person before (it's been on sale in Europe and other markets for over six months), its sharp lines, taut headlamps and enlarged grille play Dr. Jekyll to it's rather staid, Mr. Hyde rump. Inside, the two-tone brown and black leather interior is a tremendous improvement over the model it replaces, with an artfully sculpted dash and center stack surrounded by soft touch materials, brushed fauxluminum and a smattering of chrome. Back seat passengers should be equally pleased with the appointments and a 60/40 split bench ups the ante for usability.

The Cruze's arrival late next year couldn't be better timed, as Ford is readying the next generation Focus and Honda is toiling away on a reworked Civic. We're expecting to get some seat time in the coming months, and for the first time in recent memory, we're looking forward to sampling a new mid-size product from the General. Full details in the press release below the fold and check out the gallery of live images below.

Gallery: LA 2009: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Continue reading LA 2009: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, mass-market potential has four doors

LA 2009: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, mass-market potential has four doors originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA Preview: 2011 Chevy Cruze finally unveiled in U.S.-market trim

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:14:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Chevrolet

2011 Chevrolet Cruze - click above for high-res image gallery

More than a year after first showing us a styling buck and nearly as long since launching it overseas, General Motors is finally showing off the production Chevy Cruze for North America. Set to be shown publicly this week at the LA Auto Show, the Cruze is still a good eight or nine months away from arriving in U.S. showrooms.

When it does finally arrive, the Cruze should be a huge step forward from the Chevy Cobalt, and GM hopes it will be an able competitor to the next-generation Honda Civic and Ford Focus, which are slated to arrive not long afterward. The Cruze is slightly larger than the Cobalt, but will be powered by downsized engines, including a new 1.4-liter turbocharged four cylinder with 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, as well as a 1.8-liter normally-aspirated unit with similar power but less torque. All Cruze models will get six-speed gearboxes - either manual or automatic. The turbo Cruze is expected to score an impressive 40 mpg EPA highway rating.

Based on our brief experience driving a Chevy Volt powertrain mule (Cruze and Volt share common DNA), the Chevrolet Cruze should be more refined than the outgoing Cobalt by an order of magnitude, with a roomier interior and much better-executed passenger cabin. We'll see it in person later this week in L.A., and in the meantime, you can check out the first official images from GM in the gallery below. The official press release follows after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading LA Preview: 2011 Chevy Cruze finally unveiled in U.S.-market trim

LA Preview: 2011 Chevy Cruze finally unveiled in U.S.-market trim originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next-gen Buick Excelle for China snapped

John Neff — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:33:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, China, Buick, Chevrolet

Next-gen Buick Excelle for China - Click above for high-res image gallery

Soon Buick will have an entire lineup of competitive vehicles with the Enclave, all-new LaCrosse and soon-to-arrive-from-Europe Regal. Since the latter model is basically a direct port of the Opel Insignia, its success may help General Motors decide whether or not to snag a fourth model from another overseas market. The likely candidate is this car, the next-gen Buick Excelle that is currently sold only in China.

Recently snapped by spy photographers while undergoing testing with very little camouflage, the next-gen Excelle will adopt GM's Delta II small car platform that also underpins the new Chevy Cruze and Opel Astra. It's more closely related to later, however, as previous generations have been not much more than rebadged Astras. Just because Buick could sell the Excelle in the U.S., however, doesn't mean it should. Would the market really accept a Buick this small, especially when the Cruze is on sale across the street? Time will tell but you can let GM know what you think now in the comments.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Next-gen Buick Excelle for China

[Photos: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Next-gen Buick Excelle for China snapped originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S.-spec Chevrolet Cruze to debut at LA Auto Show

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM

2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has announced plans to unveil the U.S.-spec version of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze at next month's LA Auto Show, alongside the all-new Chevrolet Volt. The compact sedan has been available in Europe and across the Pacific for over a year, but will finally go on sale in the States in the third quarter of 2010.

Originally shown at the Paris Motor Show last year, the Cruze is designed to replace the aging Cobalt and will be packing a 1.4-liter turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder that GM expects to max out at 40 mpg on the highway. Production will begin at the General's Lordstown, OH plant this coming April, and it would seem that GM doesn't plan to offer the 1.6- or 1.8-liter gas engines (or the Euro-market 2.0-liter turbo diesel) at launch. Hit the jump for GM's releases and expect more details to follow when we hit the ground in So. Cal. on December 2nd.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze

Continue reading U.S.-spec Chevrolet Cruze to debut at LA Auto Show

U.S.-spec Chevrolet Cruze to debut at LA Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM delays Chevy Cruze launch by three months

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:20:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet

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]

REPORT: GM delays Chevy Cruze launch by three months originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM ups its ante in GM Daewoo

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:47:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, GM, Daewoo

GM Daewoo has four shareholders: GM, Korea Development Bank, Suzuki Motor Corporation, and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. When GM Daewoo put out a rights issue, only one of the four took the bite: GM, which made it rain to the tune of $412 million and raised its stake from 50.9% to 70.1%.

Neither GM's move nor the non-interest of at least two other parties is surprising. SAIC is still gun shy about certain investments after the Ssangyong debacle, while Suzuki is more concerned with being courted by VW and the Kizashi's fate in the U.S. right now. It is GM that has every reason to strengthen its ties in Asia; after all, The General sold more cars in China last month than it did at home -- and with GM Daewoo.

Daewoo engineers small cars for GM, like Chevrolet's crucial acid test known as the Cruze, and last year, all told, GM Daewoo sold 1.9 million units. The financial infusion will be used for debts and to help the company's liquidity position.

[Source: Detroit News via GM Inside News]

REPORT: GM ups its ante in GM Daewoo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Chevrolet to take larger role at GM, account for 70% of total volume

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet, GM

Forget about more cowbell, for GM it's all about more Chevy -- at least, that's the situation for Chevrolet's new VP Brent Dewar. So far this year the Bowtie has posted more than 60% of GM's North American volume, but Dewar wants that to get to 70%. "As Pontiac goes away, Saturn goes away," Dewar said, "Chevrolet has to step up. The 70 percent target is the right kind of number we need to work on."

The real perspective on that challenge is in the numbers: GM's market share was 22.4 percent a year ago and is now 19.7 percent. However, while GM is out to increase overall market share it has half as many brands as it did last year: Pontiac and Saturn are dead, Saab and Hummer have found other homes.

For Dewar, the general (if slight) upward trend in sales, as well as the coming Cruze and the Volt, will help Chevy achieve that number. But beyond that we have no idea what he plans to use to breach the 70 percent figure, and we find it interesting that Chevy is trying to make up for more even with Cadillac's and Buick's imminent models. Nor is it clear how GM will maintain its overall numbers globally without Opel, but we look forward to finding out.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: Chevrolet to take larger role at GM, account for 70% of total volume originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM tells dealers to think small to sell big

Michael Harley — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, Earnings/Financials

2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Click above for high-res image gallery

After decades of pushing heavy iron, General Motors executives are telling the company's dealers to think "beyond our dominance in trucks" and prepare to start selling small cars (vehicles like the forthcoming Chevrolet Cruze, above). The message was broadcast late last week at the Rock Financial Showplace in Michigan, as representatives from about 430 GM dealers gathered to hear the automaker's latest plans as they emerge from bankruptcy. Brent Dewar, the new vice president of Chevrolet Global, added that dealers, "have to think slightly different... about how to sell the value of the vehicle on content and that small doesn't mean less."

Other news to emerge from the event included the announcement that GM had appointed an executive tasked with retaining the three million GM customers who will lose their vehicle model, GM brand, or dealership to the restructuring, and that Buick is planning a new mid-size sedan for 2010 followed by a compact car in late 2011. GM also said that strong Pontiac sales this summer will allow the brand to exhaust its inventory by the end of the year, ahead of earlier projections.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

REPORT: GM tells dealers to think small to sell big originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Irmscher, GM teaming up to bring Chevy Cruze Bumblebee to Frankfurt

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Frankfurt Motor Show, Sedan, Chevrolet

Irmscher's Bumblebee tribute Cruze -- Click here for high-res image gallery

When German tuning house Irmscher decided to create a tribute to Transformers hero Bumblebee, they didn't do just another yellow Camaro with black stripes. Instead, they built a black Chevrolet Cruze and decked it out in orange. Makes sense, right? It appears to be primarily a cosmetic job, although the body has been lowered 30mm and the wheels are 18-inch Imscher-designed Turbo Stars wrapped in nine-inch wide tires, however the heart of the beast is an unmolested 1.8-liter lump working through an automatic transmission. According to German actor Kai Noll, the car catches everyone's eyes. If you want to see it, book a trip to Frankfurt. If you want to buy one, you can contact Irmscher, the price is "by individual request."

Gallery: Imrscher Bumblebee Cruze

Irmscher, GM teaming up to bring Chevy Cruze Bumblebee to Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Buick getting its own Astra variant

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, China, Buick

2010 Buick "Astra" - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Further proof that General Motors is readying a Opel Astra derivative for the Buick brand has just arrived in the form of spy shots showing a mid-size mule testing at Germany's Nürburgring. Somewhat obscured behind the excessive camo is Buick's trademark "waterfall" grille, however, the A-pillar and C-pillar survive the transition from Opel to Buick.

Inside, the badge engineering is markedly more apparent with what looks like an instrument panel, center console, and steering wheel directly ported over from the recently revealed 2010 Opel Astra. In all likelihood, the Buick version will be sold almost exclusively in the Chinese market and, although it would be built along side the Cruze at GM's Lordstown, OH plant, it's doubtful that the compact Buick will ever be sold in the States. But if it does, we'd suggest reviving the Skylark or Somerset moniker, because, hey... we know how well they went over before.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Buick Cruze

Spy Shots: Buick getting its own Astra variant originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fritz: Chevy will be competitive, top-quality brand in two years

Chris Shunk — Sat, 09 May 2009 12:33:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Crossover, Chevrolet, GM

2011 Chevy Orlando: Click above for gallery

General Motors is in the middle of a massive restructuring, and if it manages to escape catastrophe without going belly-up, good news could be in store for the Chevy brand. GM CEO Fritz Henderson told AutoWeek that the bowtie will emerge as the big winner in two years, with great quality and plenty of new product. The 2011 model year will (assuming there are no changes to the product calendar -- something that's hardly guaranteed) bring a variety of fuel-efficient vehicles to the Chevy brand with the arrival of the Cruze, Spark, Volt, and Orlando.

The Volt, with its purported extended-range electric capability, will get the limelight. But the Cruze, Spark, and Orlando are likely to be more impactful, since they're designed to be high-volume sellers with very competitive fuel economy figures. The new cars, combined with the drop-dead gorgeous Camaro (29 mpg hwy), the new Equinox (32 mpg hwy), and the Malibu, give Chevrolet a a significantly transformed, far more efficient product lineup.

With four new Chevys set to hit production in the next 19 months, the future of the brand looks bright... as long as GM can survive the tumultuous present.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Fritz: Chevy will be competitive, top-quality brand in two years originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 May 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cruze Contol: New Chevy WTCC car takes first pole, double victories in Morocco

Noah Joseph — Mon, 04 May 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Chevrolet

Chevrolet Cruze at WTCC Marrakech - Click above for a high-res image gallery

While a set of races in the World Touring Car Championship might not ordinarily be something we'd cover here at Autoblog - we doubt you'll mind the spoiler - this weekend's rounds in Marrakech, Morocco, held a series of firsts for the international racing series. Not only was this the first time the championship headed into Africa, but the new Chevy Cruze scored its first pole position and followed up by taking first place in both races, with Nicola Larini taking his first race victory in the series.

The former grand prix driver raced for Ligier-Ford, Modena-Lamborghini and Scuderia Ferrari, scoring a career-best second-place finish with the latter at San Marino in 1994 after taking the DTM title in Germany the year before. The veteran Italian racer has been with the Chevy team in the WTCC since 2005, and scored his first race victory in the series in the second round of the double-header in Marrakech after his team-mate Rob Huff turned the first pole position for the new Chevrolet Cruze racer into the car's maiden victory in the first race. Huff's domination from start to finish was only compounded by the fastest laps that the Cruze claimed en route to the checkered flag in both races. The duo faced tough opposition from a field composed primarily of Seat Leon TSFI and BMW 320si touring cars, but the new Chevy, which was unveiled last October before receiving its official livery in December, ultimately prevailed at the new North African track. Details in the press release after the jump, high-res photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze at Marrakech WTCC

[Source: Chevrolet and Autosport]

Continue reading Cruze Contol: New Chevy WTCC car takes first pole, double victories in Morocco

Cruze Contol: New Chevy WTCC car takes first pole, double victories in Morocco originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 May 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet releases Cruze pricing - for U.K.

Chris Shunk — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, UK

2011 Chevy Cruze (U.S. model) - Click above for high-res gallery

While the Chevy Cruze isn't coming to the U.S. until 2010, the attractively styled compact is set to go on sale in Europe this July. General Motors released pricing for the Cruze in advance of its Euro launch, and the Bow Tie brand is going right after the bottom line of the Ford Focus. The Cruze starts at £11,545 ($15,883 in U.S. dollars) with a 1.6-liter, 111-hp petrol engine. That's about £1,800 cheaper than the Focus, giving the fuel efficient Cruze the price edge in a down automotive market. Opt for the 1.6-liter petrol LS model and expect to part with £12,595 ($17,335). The top of the line LT model comes equipped with a 1.8-liter gas engine or 2.0-liter diesel and starts at £13,595 ($18,712).

While prices in the UK typically don't translate well to U.S. dollars, $15,883 for the base Cruze would put it in the same price class as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. We should, however, receive a discount for having to wait a year longer than the Europeans.

Gallery: 2010 Chevy Cruze - live shots

[Source: Channel 4]

Chevrolet releases Cruze pricing - for U.K. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM scraps new Volt/Cruze engine plant in Flint, will update existing plant instead

Chris Paukert — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Plants/Manufacturing, GM

General Motors has been vascillating about when and where it would build engines for its upcoming Chevrolet Volt and Cruze models, and today that saga has a new twist. Last September, GM proclaimed that it would invest $370 million in a new Flint, Michigan plant to build 1.4-liter four-cylinder engines after the city announced an extensive suite of tax breaks said to be worth $56 million. Then, in mid-December, word came that GM was delaying building the plant, although it pledged to bring the Volt to market on-time, instead sourcing initial engines from overseas. Then came word late last month that GM had cancelled the plant contracts, leaving the company's powertrain plans in limbo. Now, GM is saying that it will indeed build the engines in Flint, it's just going to do so using existing facilities.

According to a new press release, GM is citing "current capital expenditure constraints and available floor space in existing facilities" as the reason for not pursuing a new facility. All is not lost, however, as GM still plans to invest around $250M to update the company's Flint South plant. Facility revitalization work will commence this spring, with production of the new engines slated to begin in December 2010. More details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM scraps new Volt/Cruze engine plant in Flint, will update existing plant instead

GM scraps new Volt/Cruze engine plant in Flint, will update existing plant instead originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden to produce four-cylinder small car

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Holden, Australia

Holden, known for it's massive sedans and massively appealing V8s, is on the small car bandwagon with its announcement to build a four-cylinder car in Australia to be sold alongside the Commodore. Holden currently has three four-cylinder cars, but they're comprised of rebadged Daewoo's and an Opel, and haven't set the Outback on fire. The new compact car will be based on the Chevrolet Cruze, but with a body designed by Holden, and will offer both four-pot gas and diesel options. Down the line, Holden said it will investigate ethanol-capable engines and start-stop technology for its new Corolla fighter.

Holden has a few reasons to make such a move right now, changing consumer tastes being one of the most important. The Australian government has also pledged $6 billion (AUD) to its local auto industry, which has allowed Holden to carry out its plans with less concern about the bottom line. Holden will spend $200 million (AUD) and the government will provide another $179 million (AUD). The new compact sedan will have to stave off competition from Toyota, as well as the parade of cheap Thai cars that have been flowing into Australia after the two countries concluded a free trade agreement. The new Holden will face-off against the Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla when production begins in 2011.

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Holden to produce four-cylinder small car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet Cruze could spawn hatch and wagon variants

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM

The Chevrolet Cruze may be delayed, but that doesn't mean that more variants of the Cobalt/Lacetti replacement aren't on the drawing board. In addition to the standard four-door model that Chevrolet debuted in Paris, a five-door hatch and a wagon will fill the rest of the range.

GM plans to produce the European Cruze in South Korea through its Daewoo operations, along with its plant in St. Petersburg, Russia. The new sedan was designed to meet the needs of a variety of markets, so additional body styles, along with different powertrains, safety specs and ride/handling requirements, will be employed throughout the world. GM announced that the U.S. version would be manufactured at the automaker's Lordstown, Ohio plant and will differ from the variants sold abroad. The Cruze should hit the U.S. market in 2011, but judging by recent reports, we're not holding our breath.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Chevrolet Cruze could spawn hatch and wagon variants originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM may delay Cruze and Malibu

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Earnings/Financials

Click above for a high-res gallery of the ~~2010~~ 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

As General Motors burns through $1 billion in cash each month, the automaker's belt-tightening continues unabated, spanning the spectrum from lay-offs to shutting down the escalators at the RenCen. Naturally, its products aren't immune from the cash-strapped hatchet.

First came word that the CTS Coupe and Buick Lacrosse debuts have been delayed, and now BusinessWeek reports that the Cruze's launch has been put off by a year, now set to hit dealers in 2011. Additionally, the next generation Malibu won't be out until 2013 - six months after it was due to arrive.

GM spokesperson Dee Allen wouldn't get into specifics, only saying that new-car programs "are going to shift around a bit."

The General's decision to put off development of certain projects isn't surprising considering the automaker's current predicaments (that's putting it lightly), and it's more a move to limit costs as 2008 draws to a close, saving money for 2009, what will surely be GM's make-or-break year.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze

Gallery: 2010 Chevy Cruze - live shots

[Source: BusinessWeek via eGMCarTech]

GM may delay Cruze and Malibu originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM ramps up Cobalt production to meet demand

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:33:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, Earnings/Financials

Click above for more high-res shots of the Chevy Cobalt SS

General Motors cites the success of the current Chevy Cobalt as the reason for delaying the launch of the Cobalt's replacement, the upcoming Cruze, in the States. In order to meet the market's soaring demand for small cars in general, and the Cobalt in particular, earlier this year GM added a third shift to the Lordstown Plant where the Cobalt is built. For '09, the General plans to build an extra 70,000 Cobalts, expecting fuel prices to remain high and demand for its compact sedan and coupe to follow suit. Unfortunately for the struggling automaker, those extra cars may not necessarily add up to extra profits, with the Cobalt priced below its main competitors from Japan. For this reason, GM will be adding a few bucks to the bottom line of the Cruze, in a pricing move similar to the recently released Malibu. Hopefully, the same tactic GM employed with its mid-sizer will translate to the Cruze and that extra cash will result in a better car than its predecessor.

[Source: CNN]

GM ramps up Cobalt production to meet demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: 2010 Chevy Cruze in person

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:52:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Paris Motor Show, Chevrolet

Click above for new high-res live shots of the 2010 Chevy Cruze

This afternoon GM design VP Ed Welburn and Chevy general manager Ed Peper gave us a preview of the new 2010 Chevy Cruze compact sedan. As is all too often the case with cool new small cars, the U.S. market is last in line as the Cruze will be going on sale in Europe next March as a 2010 model with a choice of 1.6L and 1.8L gas engines or a new 2.0L diesel that puts out 150 hp. As many have surmised from previous images of the Cruze, it is actually a bit bigger than the current Cobalt it will eventually replace. According to Peper, it actually slots in between the Cobalt and the Malibu, although it will get better fuel economy than both.

GM chose to debut the Cruze in Europe because it's the brands fastest growing market with a 23-percent growth in sales through the first half of 2008. Asked why the U.S. isn't getting it sooner, Peper blamed the current sales success of the Cobalt and other upcoming launches such as the Camaro. Peper also indicated that the Cruze will get an impressive 40 mpg on the highway at launch. When the Cruze goes into production at GM's Lordstown, OH plant in April 2010 as a 2011 model, it will be powered by the new 1.4L direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder that has been announced previously. We don't have any pics of the interior yet because the car on display here is just the same styling buck with no guts that appeared in Lordstown a couple of weeks ago. We'll be sure to get those interior shots and more when the car makes it official world debut at the Paris Motor Show next month.

Gallery: 2010 Chevy Cruze - live shots

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Paris Preview: 2010 Chevy Cruze in person

Paris Preview: 2010 Chevy Cruze in person originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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