According to a report from Motor Trend, the hot-selling Chevrolet Cruze will be due for a big change-up in a few years time, and will see a global refresh by calender year 2014, a year after the Cruze introduces a diesel engine offering for the American market.
It is with this move that MT expects variants such as a hatchback and perhaps even a coupe to make their way to North American soil, as with the rest of the world. Currently, there is a Cruze hatch for sale in Europe, but the publication suggests that this model has not been approved to sell in America, yet future model sales have been given the green light. To note, all updates are bound for the Holden Cruze as well.
It seems the best days for the Cruze are coming, but are a lot farther away than most have hoped.
Source: Motor Trend
Comments
If you read the blogasphere about the Cruze, you’d think it was not a successful vehicle for GM because people are wanting more from it. Bring the hatch here. Bring more power. Bring a coupe. Come out with a convertible. In the marketplace, however, the Cruze has been wildly successful for Chevrolet. So hopefully, this bodes well for the next gen model as far as more power, more bodystyles, etc.
On another note, if the next gen Cruze does come out in 2014, then the 3 1/2 year model cycle for it will be a short one so it won’t get stale in the marketplace.
I at least pointed out that the current model is a hot seller, despite coming in only one body style. You also have to remember that America was incredibly late on getting the Cruze compared to other countries around the world. By 2014, it’s design will be closer to 5-6 years from a global perspective. If they’re able to launch the car globally in all major markets within one year (like the all-new Sonic/Aveo and what is expected with the all-new Malibu), then it will further optimize the perception of Chevy globally, rather than regionally.
I was not referring to your article. I was referring to others that I’ve read recently from both bloggers and those who comment on the posts. For years, GM needed a competitive small car that sold well. Now they finally have one, and it is still not good enough.
I agree with you regarding the launch period. The Cruze should have been here in 2011. I think GM played it safe with the launch getting all of the problems ironed out before it arrived. . and I’m sure GM brass with argue that the time spent refining the car in other markets has helped it become such a success here in the states. However, to be taken seriously as a global automaker, the launch of each new global model should take place within months between each region, not years.
Agreed. Faster global launches are key. Ford is doing it. Kia is doing it. Soon enough, Hyundai will be as well.
It’s important to remember, however, that the 2014 Cruze we’re talking about here is a refresh rather than a complete redesign… so maybe this update can roll out on a global level…
I hope they offer a hatch before 2014. As a GM employee, I’m sick of the “wait and see” attitude on anything remotely progressive. The Fiesta, Hyundai Accent, and Focus all have a >40% take rate on their hatchbacks and GM is “waiting” to see how they do in the US.
It is maddening when GM cites poor sales of its past hatchbacks – when the only hatches it’s offered have been mediocre cars at best. Now that they have a slam dunk, they need to TAKE THE SHOT! I can’t IMAGINE that this car will sell fewer models than the planned diesel version.
My only hope would be that they put a larger engine in the hatch, similar to what Mazda does with the 3. Smaller engines for the toned-down family sedan, and hotter engines for the more youthful, stylish hatchback. I’d love to get a Cruze to replace my Aura, but it’s simply a little under powered for me. Not a LOT underpowered, mind you, but another 40-50 horsepower would do wonders for back road passing power. Perhaps I’ll just need to pony up for the Verano/Astra.
European Cruze is a good car IMO but disliked by the UK Motor Press so resale values are poor. Could do with the US spec. supposed to be a Global car.
European Cruze is disliked by the UK press, so has poor resale value, I like the car but it could do with the US spec including TPM
European model Unfortunately the Cruze instrumentation is very poor compared to the Dodge Caliber which is far far superior, e.g. the better centrally placed speedo can be read when wearing sunglasses or travelling fast , no powered foldback door mirrors, no, drinks holder,, useless sunglass holder ,should be a grab handle.no separate trip odometer, no compass , no TPM . auto Diesel model has good acceleration after revs build up but poor fuel consumption. in mixed motoring., ride on slightly rough roads poor needs full US spec.. Disappointed that UK Aveo/Sonic does not come with 1.4 turbo auto. also instruments on Sonic need to be conventional instead of IMO poor design.
No need to repeat. If the Cruze loses to the Dodge Caliber in a comparison test in the UK, than its media is broken.
I have not said Cruze loses to a Media comparison test in the UK it is my own findings having owned two Dodge Calibers. The Cruze is a much better drive with better roadholding but has useless features ,auto lights, rainsensing wipers. GM marketing of the Cruze in the UK is very amateurish, I have seen three Cruzes on the road in the UK during the past 2 years., I wonder how many have been sold ?
Hatches are generally noisy …. what is the point?
Wait, what? Hatchs are noisy versus sedans or coupes?
Explain.
Most would probably say a hatch is better in city environments where parking space is premium. In Europe and some places here people are forced to parallel park on the street.
But a hatch also greatly expands hauling capabilities, and I’m not just referring to space for a TV with the rear seats folded. With an extended roof it makes a rack more practical. Yes, racks can be clipped on sedans, but a hatch should enable more spacing between the cross bars, which is important if you’re transporting something long.
Unfortunately, with the pressure to ink out every last MPG in the fuel economy wars, some companies, Ford and GM in particular, are not taking advantage of the roof for the customer, offering at best mere clip on systems that look awful, scratch the paint, and wear out door seals.
Hatches are becoming more rounded to improve the aerodynamics, so in large measure there is now little difference between hatches and sedans. Looking at some of the hybrids of late, it’s hard to tell what they are. The trend is unfortunate for people with my needs. Station wagons have apparently gone out of style with the emerging of the CUV. But I think they will come back when fuel prices rise again.
It is very curious that CUVs are so popular here but wagons and hatches are not, or at least that is the claim. Why don’t they just make high riding sedans. Here in Texas people like to jack up their pickup trucks.