According to GreenCarReports, Chevrolet delivered 3,028 examples of the Cruze Diesel from its launch month in May up until December 31st — exactly 1.2 percent of the total 248,224 Cruze sedans sold in America in 2013.
Comparatively, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, another diesel compact sedan, sold 26,587 units in 2013 while diesel sales of other Volkswagen Group brands exceeded the 100,000 unit mark for the first time. At the same time, the Chevy Volt ranked up 23,094 sales last year, almost seven times the volume of the diesel vehicle sold in 2014.
That said, the Volt was offering far better lease deals on the Cruze Diesel. Not that the two are going for the same buyer, but they are two of the most economical vehicles in Chevy’s lineup. Lastly, the first diesel Cruze was sold for the first time this past May, and originally rolled out in 13 diesel-friendly regions. So the 2013 sales book doesn’t represent its complete annual potential.
Comments
Considering these factors:
1. Limited Roll Out
2. VW is the known brand to go to for diesel. It’s like the iPod is the go to music player.
With a wider market, especially in places where diesel is cheaper than 87, such as most or all of Canada, the Cruze could likely sell half the units as the Jetta TDI and increase year over year. I’d say this was enough to justify a diesel Malibu. And with the Colorado getting a diesel the 3 vehicles could be a nice little marketing campaign.
Dealers could not get diesel cruzes. They were only building 1-3 percent. I had one car for the entire year of 13 and have not had a 14.
The dealership in my area couldn’t get one to even test drive
I have seen slow start ups but this is crazy. 1%?
I know GM is afraid to build too many and have to discount them to move them. I really do not think they know what to expect as so many people asked for it but odds are not even a quarter who was asking will really buy.
As for the stick the take rate will be so small here for such a small segment. If they can gain volume they may be able to absorb the cost of the other platform. This is why the SS does not have a stick as the cost to federalize it was too much for the few they would sell.
Controlled rollout – pussy footing around again, the General is? Veedub offers something else, a six speed manual. Diesel drivers like that. Nobody would expect GM to know that.
For diesel engine it’s true that VW is well known with its TDI, Peugeot with its HDI, Renault/Nissan with the DCI and Mercedes with the CDI. But GM isn’t known for its diesel engine, only Opel for its DTI and now CDTI and Chevrolet in worldwide less known with its VCDI diesel engine, but known in USA with its duramax engines.
In my opinion, Gm should first give one name for its diesel engines a name that sound pretty cool to compete with the TDIand other diesel engines. secondly, Cadillac should propose diesel engines, begining with the 2.0 163 hp and V6 engines, even a V8 ones could be good in the competition against German car makers.
See this is just the laziness I’ve been talking about, only looking at what’s been available or what most people normally buy, instead of going out and testing all the cars even the if you have to search for one!
I finally found a cruze to test drive!