- General Motors will unveil the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback production version at the upcoming 2011 Geneva Auto Show.
- The new five-door model goes on sale across Europe in mid-2011, but pricing and specifications have not been confirmed.
- A Chevrolet spokesperson told Inside Line on Tuesday that the Cruze hatchback has not been approved for the U.S., but wouldn't rule out the possibility of the car coming here.
GENEVA — General Motors will unveil the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback production model at the upcoming 2011 Geneva Auto Show, but it still has no solid plans to bring this version to the U.S. market.
"It's not slated to come to the U.S.," said Chevrolet spokesperson Lesley Hettinger in a phone conversation with Inside Line on Tuesday. "It's a maybe. The beauty of a global vehicle is that we can make adjustments fast. So that's not to say it won't ever come here."
The Cruze hatchback is a virtual clone of the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback concept that debuted last September at the 2010 Paris Auto Show.
The new model is critical to Chevy's success in the European compact segment, where hatchbacks account for two-thirds of sales. Since spring 2009, Chevrolet has sold 500,000 Cruze vehicles globally. The Cruze launched in the U.S. last September, with the Cruze Eco model hitting the market in December.
GM said the Cruze hatchback will be offered with a "new range of engines," but only specified one unit, the 161-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine also found in the Chevrolet Orlando. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The Orlando is a seven-passenger MPV based on the Cruze. GM said last year that it will not sell the Orlando in the U.S.
GM said pricing and specifications on the Cruze hatchback will be announced later.
The concept version of the Cruze hatchback featured 60/40 split rear seating and cargo capacity of nearly 14.3 cubic feet.
The Cruze is now on sale in more than 70 countries and most major geographic regions, including Russia, China, India and Latin America.
Inside Line says: No definitive plans to sell the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback in the U.S. at this point. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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kbhockey says:
03:45 PM, 03/01/2011
Dear GM,
I see you have not changed. You still think you can market your products vs design good products. Please read this. I will NEVER even look at a Cruze unless you sell in the US what you sell in EU. That is the beauty of a global consumer.
ed124c says:
08:19 AM, 02/22/2011
Oh my, I commented on this Cruze hatch back on the 1st of the month, and had completely forgotten about it. I still don't understand why, if the Cruze sedan has a 15+ cubic foot trunk, the hatch has only 14.3. Guess it is just GM doing its counterintuitive moves.
And still no photos of the rear or the cargo area?
Come ON, GM, you can't design cars that are "pretty good", they need to excel in most every area. 14.3 cu ft of cargo area with the rear seats up is only 2 cubic ft more than the tiny Kia Soul.
Actually, what has probably happened is GM lopped off 6 or 8 inches, or more, of rear overhang to make it look sexier.
thechevyguy says:
03:24 PM, 02/02/2011
I think that this is the perfect market to release this vehicle to. Great gas mileage ( http://www.2011ChevroletCruze.com for reference), sporty with a great interior and all of the tech features like blue tooth etc come standard for a really affordable price.
twhitewolf says:
08:07 PM, 02/01/2011
I like it and really hope GM will bring it to the U.S.
ambee514 says:
05:44 PM, 02/01/2011
Well of course the Cruze Hatchback isn't coming to the US. I mean obviously Americans don't want hatchbacks, old americans that is. This car would help them win the youth croud, guess they dont care though, andwill just hand over the American Car Hatchback title to Ford, along witht he young buyers.
Well GM I wanted to buy the hatchback version of this car guess I will have to get the Fiesta or Focus instead. One more 18-26 year old GM owner that will switch to Ford.
jscion says:
04:23 PM, 02/01/2011
GM needs to understand that hatchbacks are back!!! This thing SHOULD ABSOLUTELY come to the U.S. Aren't we tired of Europe and Asia getting all the interesting cars?
northsparrow says:
01:58 PM, 02/01/2011
Maybe when someone at IL has some spare time they can add up the total sales of compact hatchbacks
on this continent and report it on this site. That way it will be even more OBVIOUS to GM that they should sell one as well !
jays83gsl says:
01:55 PM, 02/01/2011
As for Canada, you ruined GM, you don't deserve ANYTHING from them.
jays83gsl says:
01:54 PM, 02/01/2011
Even if the car were to come here, the engine wouldn't. If you note, the 161 HP engine is a Diesel.
gordancin says:
12:39 PM, 02/01/2011
Okay let's assume GM's plans for sale of this practical vehicle that has the appeal of a 161 horsepower engine combined with a 6-speed manual don't include the U.S. So then... what about the rest of us up here in Canada??? Or what about those in Mexico, Central America and Caribbean??? This looks to be lost potential...