GM may delay Cruze and Malibu

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.

[Source: BusinessWeek via eGMCarTech]