As you read this very post, European auto show goers are getting their first look at the recently-unveiled Chevy Cruze hatch at the Paris Motor Show. We’ve received several tips from a few loyal GM Authority readers who have seen the show car and… get this: every single one of them has praised the vehicle’s design. In addition, all tips we’ve received so far have stated the readers’ complete and utter desire for the car, with one message even going so far as to say that “[I] would buy this off the show floor if I could.”
But here’s the ultimate question: should Chevrolet bring the Cruze hatch to the United States – a market that traditionally has been very much hatch- and wagon-averse? Cast your vote in the poll below.
Comments
Not only bring the hatchback to the US, but also offer the manual transmission for the other models too. I love driving a stick and I think it sucks that it’s only available for the entry level/bare bones LS model, where most of the options are “Not Available”.
Absolutely agreed.
Personally, I believe with the downsizing towards more fuel efficient cars, hatchbacks will make a comeback in the USA. Example: Lexus CT 200h that will be available in 2011.
http://www.lexus.com/fcv/ct200h.html
This car will fill a void and GM cannot let this go unanswered (IMHO).
@LorbeerTLC You’re right – downsizing isn’t a fad, it’s a real trend.
The jury is still out on the CT200h… it’s too unrefined and funky to be a successful Lexus in my opinion (much like the original IS300 was), but we’ll see.
That said, I don’t think the Cruze will compete head on with such vehicles as the CT, but rather with other mainstream hatches/wagons like the Mazda 3, Ford Focus, Toyota Matrix, and whatever the replacement for the Dodge Caliber will be. If anything, the Buick Excelle XT would be a more direct competitor with the CT200h. But then we’re talking about such cars as the A3, BMW 1er 5 door, and whatever Mercedes’ sub C-class car will be called. I’m not sure that the Excelle could handle that level.
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2009/11/guangzshou-auto-show-2011-buick-excelle-xt/
What do you think?
PS: the Excelle XT is NOT coming to the U.S. as of this writing.
Alex, we’ll see on the CT 200h. The point is Buick should be where Lexus is today. I sit in a Lexus and see Buick written all over it. Unfortunately when Toyota introduced the Prius, GM’s response… hybrid’s are just a fad. Oops. Anyway, I really believe we’ll see fantastic things from the General in the next decade.
I couldn’t agree with you more on the Buick Excelle XT! What a Honey! Too bad that’s not coming stateside.
I don’t understand why some of their overseas ideas don’t come here too. Does the management at GM honestly think there isn’t a market for these cars in the US? Because if the CT 200h does take off, that’s going to be another missed opportunity for GM.
With the CAFE standards going up over the next few years, I think the next “void” GM should fill would be a luxury compact car. I know Cadillac’s ATS is on the table, but I’m thinking European styling like the Catera, but in the size of the Cimarron. My mom had a Cimarron & I loved it! Sure it was a Chevy rebadged, but the size was ideal (especially with the “compact” parking spots)! The V-6 was zippy & I loved the feel. If this isn’t for Cadillac, then make it a Buick. But we need a small luxury car to fill a void.
Have you seen Mercedes Benz “A” Class? It’s a small luxury hatchback offered in Europe. This would be a perfect opportunity for Buick to fill in the United States.
http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedkingdom/mpc/mpc_unitedkingdom_website/en/home_mpc/passengercars/home/new_cars/models/a-class/w169.flash.html
Meanwhile, I’m cheering the arrival of the new 2012 Chevy Spark. It’s going to replace my 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion Cabrio 😀
@LorbeerTLC Good call on Buick being a perfect match for Lexus. If you haven’t yet, you should definitely give this GM Authority Debate episode a listen. We discuss this very topic… and then some.
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2010/01/gma-dp-1-2/
And you’re spot on about GM not bringing compact hatches here. It seems that they’re still one step behind the pack. You can call them followers rather than leaders at this point. They’re not on the offensive with new product, but rather want others to test the waters (case in point – Caddy ATS and Lexus CT). Why did it take so long for Caddy to wake up and realize that the CTS was NOT a compact sedan?
That said, I hope that the Buick Verano (or whatever the compact sedan will end up being called) will receive some much-needed up-contending. It needs a better engine and some standard features (like cruise control – which the model in our photos doesn’t even have!).
We dedicated an entire debate episode to it as well right here:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2010/08/buick-excelle-gt/
– Alex Luft
Founder, GM Authority
Yes, it definitely makes a lot of sense to bring some variants of the Cruze to the U.S. market. A coupe and 5-Dr. hatchback for sure … and why not a wagon or a small mini-van similar to the Ford Focus that will be entering the market in the coming year? Small cars are getting more and more popular with rising fuel costs and a variety of models for the Chevy Cruze will insure the success of this very attractive automobile.
I’d add a wagon and the Orlando to that list — that’s Chevy’s competitor to the Ford C-MAX.