Wordless Wednesdays: Tuned Chevy Cruze Is Intimidatingly Ravishing

Comments

1. 

   I have no idea why thy dropped performance compacts. Take it from a teen, Lancer Evolutions, Impreza WRX STIs, and Golf GTIs are the most talked about cars. The Cobalt SS USED to be talked about. Ford is making the Focus ST and Dodge is making the Dart R/T and SRT4, why doesn’t Chevrolet give the Cruze the same treatment?
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   1. 

      Unfortunately, I think it’s due to profits. GM’s goal of boosting profit margins to 10% doesn’t play well with the low-volume, low-margin performance market:

      http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/03/gm-reluctant-to-offer-cruze-body-variants-in-america/

      However, it’s well-known that the hi-po market/audience has more benefits than those directly attributed to a sale. The enthusiasts that buy these cars are often opinion leaders in their communities and will talk day and night about their factory-tuned pocket rocket. You basically get a very loyal following of folks who talk up your product and your brand free of charge. These benefits aren’t directly seen on sales reports, income statements, or balance sheets, but they’re real.

      Here’s what I think will happen: GM needs to show investors that it can keep high profit margins this year and possibly next. After it has done so, and after the stock has appreciated (to a level that allows the Treasury to exit its ownership position while saving face), then GM will start paying attention to the performance crowd. Let’s just hope Ford doesn’t capture all the enthusiasts in the meantime 🙂
      Reply
2. 

   i agree, other than the cobalt ss chevy hasn’t really had any good sport compacts. now the cruze is an all around better car in every aspect then the cobalt so to make a performance version makes sense. but it has to be a two/three door. probably start as a two door then move to a three door later on
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   1. 

      Solstice GXP and Sky Redline?
      Reply