General Motors has just launched the refreshed Chevrolet Cruze for South America during a special event in Brazil. The midcycle refresh of the second-generation Chevrolet Cruze finally arrives in the South American region for the 2020 model year, having first arrived in North American for the 2019 model year and then being discontinued at the GM Lordstown and GM Ramos Arizpe plants shortly after.
In addition to an updated exterior design, the 2020 Chevrolet Cruze features two other important changes for South American markets. For starters, the 2020 Cruze is the first Chevrolet car in South America to adopt the Premier trim level, which has so far only been used on utility vehicles in the region. Hence, the Cruze Premier replaces Cruze LTZ as the range-topping model within the Cruze range.
The most noteworthy new feature of the refreshed Chevrolet compact sedan and hatchback is the introduction of the integrated Wi-Fi hotspot, which offers users the ability to simultaneously connect up to seven devices to the network. In this fashion, the Cruze Premier becomes the first vehicle in South America to offer integrated onboard Wi-Fi internet, delivering a level of connectivity superior to that offered by any of its competitors.
“We are used to accessing Wi-Fi at home, at work, and in the restaurant, but why not in the car?,” said Carlos Zarlenga, President of GM South America, in a statement translated by GM Authority from Portuguese. “Studies show that Brazilians are one of the most connected people in the world, spending an average of two and a half hours a day in the traffic in city large centers. Onboard Wi-Fi completely changes the in-car user experience.”
In the case of the 2020 Chevrolet Cruze, the Wi-Fi Hotspot is completely integrated into the vehicle, which means that it is part of vehicle’s electronic architecture that allows for better operation, a higher level of security as well as access to future connected services.
Besides the new Wi-Fi hotspot, the 2020 Cruze also adds the latest, third-generation Chevrolet infotainment system that features a new interface and a higher resolution 8-inch color touchscreen.
Inside, the Chevrolet Cruze Premier features improved materials and a new black-brown interior color combination. Additionally, the vehicle now offers support to wirelessly charge larger-sized mobile devices.
What’s more, the model’s suite of active safety systems is reinforced with the addition of the pedestrian detection and automatic braking technology.
For the South American market, the Chevrolet Cruze will be built at the GM Rosario plant in Argentina. It will continue being offered with the turbo-charged 1.4L I-4 LE2 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain combination is rated at 153 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque.
It’s also worth noting that the for the 2020 model year, the Cruze now features a button on the center console that enables one to disable the engine auto stop-start feature.
The 2020 Chevrolet Cruze will become available in Brazil and Argentina in September 2019. Other South American countries will get the vehicle during the fourth quarter of 2019.
The model continues available in two body styles – a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback. Ten exterior colors will be available, including Summit White, Abalone White, Switchblade Silver, Satin Steel, Black Meet Kettle, Edible Berries, Gasoline, Glory Red, Wyeth Metallic and Darkmoon Blue.
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Comments
The Chevrolet Cruze’s biggest problem is how Americans think has changed and while sales for the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze struggle, it almost feels if Chevrolet can’t build enough of the Equinox despite being a more expensive vehicle; people see that the Equinox offers better flexibility than the Cruze and the vehicle to buy.
Because Americans are fat n dumb……
Your foolish insults only prove one thing, and it has nothing to do with the article.
You’re welcome.
The wrong “Americans” are mentioned here. Everyone who lives between Alaska and Chile is an “American”. The “fat n dumb” ones are the U.S. citizens who prefer cheaper imports than U.S. brands. yet this U.S. branded vehicle is a big hit in Brazil and Argentina, so these “Americans” are very smart!
What?, Can’t hear you with food in ya mouth, chomp, chomp, M’eurica……. 2+2= -5 ……?
The Cruze is a great car. Even in city driving, I was able to manage 34 mpg. On the highway, I easily hit mid 40’s, and sometimes even crest 50 mpg. I think the EPA has seriously underrated the gas version of this engine. It is as efficient as most hybrids, yet priced similar to most entry level compacts.
Cruze now is the best compact car GM has ever built. Considering the abject failures of the Corvair and Vega, Cruze is light years ahead and the hatchback should have continued in Mexico. Eventually the tide will turn against SUVs just like it did against minivans. Compact cars will make a comeback and GM will have nothing to offer.
They have the Bolt EV, which is probably going to be my next compact car following the price drop due to occur soon. GM, Hyundai, and VW are betting huge on EV’s.
GM will simply Federalize a Chinese design and be back in the US compact game should tastes change. Or by then trade war tensions will be over and import will be possible.
GM and every other manufacturer who wants to sell vehicles in China must build them there too. Stop criticizing GM for wanting to make money selling China GM cars etc.
GM would shift to selling lower-priced vehicles should a 2008-2009-esque scenario should arise, Suryadevara explained, and would also defer costs related to non-essential capital expenditures.
Read more: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/08/gm-watching-economic-situation-closely-in-case-of-downturn/#ixzz5wXSLlzMX
From another GMAuthority article today. The Cruze should have never been canceled in the US! What are they going to produce if this so called downturn happens. GM says it is…and planning for it. GM doesn’t have a decent entry level car.
What will they build?
GM will have to import the Cruze from Argentina.
Probably more Bolt’s and CT4’s ?
As is typical, GM has finally made the Cruize the automobile America deserves then cancels it. Well, that’s great news for Brazil and Argentina, sounds like they are getting a good product. As far as cranking out the Equinox as fast as they can, I’ve seen postings on Jalopnik where the transmission falls out before the new owner can even drive it 40 miles home from the Dealer. Now that’s the GM we all know and thought had changed. GM says it is planning for a slow down, GM is already in a death spiral of its own making.
So I belong to the Terrain/equinox forum and your statement about the transmission is false. There a few complaints about the 9 speed so where ever you are getting that information it is wrong.
For the past 6 years, I have owned Cruze RS’s as my commuter vehicles. Both have been fantastic! They’re sporty, get great MPG’s, have plenty of room, etc.. IMHO, GM missed the boat by discontinuing such a well-rounded car. I need a new commuter vehicle in a few months and I don’t know what I’m going to do . I suppose I’m going to attempt to find some leftover 2019 Cruze RS’s that may still be sitting on lots. Wish me luck!
P.S. Why GM discontinued the Cruze is still a mystery to me. I work ~15 miles from my home and I pass at least 4-5 Cruze’s on the highway everyday. No, they are not the same 4-5 cars either. The Cruze sold, and sold VERY well. GM hates making sales I suppose. Oh well, I guess with its death, they can produce another 8 or 9 CUV thingies. 🙁
I bought a Cruze RS 4 months ago and am very happy with it. Because they are discontinued, you can get a great price too. Only problem is you may have to travel some distance to get one with the convenience package which is essential IMHO.
Infamous,
GM still sold 150,000 last year without even trying, or should I say while trying to kill it.
Mind-boggling. Simply mind-boggling.
I suppose the GM brass figured that they needed to engineer a few more boring CUV’s. I’m at a loss on this one.
I bought a new 2018 in March…got lucky and found a Premier with nav…not available in 2019. Love the car!
South America is GMs (praticularly Chevy) new gold mine. All they have to do is keep making competitive vehicles, the Colorado is a hit there for the literal jungle buyers and the GEM, Delta based cars for the city crowds. I’ll say a CT4 based compact would be a good US compact and a premium international Chevy.
And naturally GM does what it does best. They get the car nearly perfect and then cancel it. Way to go Barra. Not only are they losing one of their best compact sedans they are also losing a hatchback, stick shift option, a diesel engine option and an easy under 20K commuter car for those of us that don’t have SUV sized wallets to spend. It’s nice to see that their are other countries much smarter than we are still left!
100% Right on!
Uber, Lyft or whatever future rideshare buyer would buy the _____ out of this car!
We have 2 Cruze sedans in our family. Both are first gen models and one has 6 speed manual. They are great cars and I would like to have gotten a New 2019 or 2020 Cruze Hatch with 6 speed manual but alas the manual was discontinued for 2019 and the Cruze altogether not long after. I thought it a great mistake because cars like the Cruze do bring newer younger buyers to Chevrolet. GM should stop relinquishing entire segments of the market to the Japanese and Korean makers. The New Cruze was great especially in Premier trim. They should have imported it if they could not make a profit making it in the US. Perhaps they can in future if Sedans sales ever pick up again. Glad to see it lives on down south.
BTW . . . GM sold 142,617 Cruze models in 2018 I do not understand Why it was cancelled.
They could have sold even more with a “hot” version. I ended up buying a used GTI but drove a new Cruze first. Ok, just not “fun.” I read somewhere that 40% of Golf sales in the US are GTI’s, how does GM miss this, or do they just not care about less expensive driver’s cars?
Maybe it’s not “hot”, but mine is fun to drive. I don’t race, but it handles great and if I need to scoot…well, she scoots
RSBaker:
My only explanation is “unadulterated buffoonery”.
Goes to show that GM made a mistake in discontinuing the Cruze in the U.S. They are digging their own grave. I wouldn’t be surprised if the likes of PSA, Renault, or FCA would pick apart the pieces of whats left of GM and buys them for a song.
Sorry, GM isn’t going anywhere because of no compacts in the US.
It’s not just the Cruze, it’s their entire car line, save for the Camaro. Crossovers are popular now, but the demand for cars isn’t going away, amigo. As for GM not going anywhere, we’ll just wait and see.
Think the “grave” being dug you’re referring to will turn out to be a “missile silo”.
Successful companies tend to look forward and not back.
It’s going to be a missile silo alright. The missiles of Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia landing right on that spot.
None of whom you mentioned can’t even get a pickup truck right, not to mention they struggle in China and South America.
It goes to show that you are missing the point. I’m not talking about pickups. I’m talking about cars. Passenger cars that you can get with two and four doors. Not everyone is going to be interested in buying a truck. I’m trying to say that GM is making a mistake in abandoning the car market because, although they may not sell as many as they do trucks, there are people who still buy them. Do you want to drive those customers away?
Nobody buying passenger cars in N/A like the 90s plus a SUV/CUV/pickup profit and resale is many times more than some sedan, GM still make sedans for Latin America, ME and Asia. If GM was such in bad shape why didn’t they haven’t had a “red” quarter since the BK?.
For me I’d hope for a Alpha based Chevy sedan from t4-V8 that will cover most bases that a CUV in it’s price range can’t do and attract leftover sedan buyers.
I think GM just wanted to Kill the Lordstown plant so badly, even if the Cruze still sold well.
With the left hand drive and all the same feature as the old US model (even Stop/Start) the Cruze could probably be imported at any time.
I was also thinking that the Cruze could be brought back as it is still being assembled in Mexico. They just need to keep any updates compliant with US regulations.
I’ve been a loyal GM customer for 30 years. Mary Barra and current GM management are off their collective rockers. Killing the Cruze was just one of many groin shots to America. They take our billions (in bailouts & sales) then turn around & ship our jobs to Mexico & overseas. Looking back, the Feds should have made the bailout contingent on domestic production staying at a certain level or higher. These selfish morons can kiss my @$$. I’d rather by a Honda made in The USA then some POS Chevy made in mexico. Someone correct me if I’m wrong but I believe “ONE” Buick is made in the USA. WOW 1 model, good job GM
GM in Brazil still suffers from gm’s own president’s negative comments to Latin America that at each interview he threatens to abandon and close gm’s factories in Brazil. This leaves consumers insecure. GM in Brazil is a leader in sales due to cars made and invented in Brazil onyx prism spin. The most expensive vehicles sell little due to this insecurity that Mr. Carlos zarlenga
Blame the Canadian plant for the poor assembly of the Equinox and their unions, It;s the union bunch that assembles them as they always like to remind us come negotiation time.