General Motors has discontinued the Chevy Cruze nameplate globally, marking the end of an era for Chevy-branded sedans and hatchbacks. As a result, GM no longer offers any C-segment sedan or hatchback model in the mainstream space. Instead, the Chevy Cruze has been indirectly replaced by the Chevy Equinox crossover.
The Chevy Cruze nameplate initially launched n 2008 and was available as a four-door compact sedan. GM added a five-door hatchback body variant in 2011, as well as a wagon variant for 2012. However, over the years, GM slowly but surely phased out the Cruze from various global markets.
In 2018, for example GM Korea quietly discontinued the Chevy Cruze alongside the Orlando MPV and Captiva crossover. A shift away from sedans and towards utility vehicles was one of the prevailing factors in the decision to discontinue the nameplate, and indeed, a similar tale would be told in other markets, as well.
Production of the Chevy Cruze wrapped up at the GM Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico around March of 2019 following an announcement made late in 2018. Concurrently, the final Chevy Cruze rolled off the line at the GM Lordstown plant in Ohio that March amid a storm of controversy over GM’s plans to restructure and idle the facility. However, Cruze sales fell precipitously over the years, forcing the automaker to eliminate two shifts at the Lordstown facility before the eventual discontinuation.
Fast forward to 2020, and GM subsequently terminated production of the Chevy Cruze in China as well, with vehicle assembly coming to a halt at the Norsom II plant in Shenyang, Liaoning. According to GM Authority sources, the SAIC-GM joint venture decided to end Cruze production in the face of rising popularity for SUVs and crossovers around the world, while the Chinese-market Cruze was also impacted by the launch of the Chevy Monza the year prior.
Finally, GM ended production of the Chevy Cruze in Argentina late last year, with the final units rolling off the line at the GM Alvear plant in Argentina on Friday, December 29th, 2023.
The end of Cruze production in Argentina marks the end of an important chapter in the Chevy history product, with the Cruze previously considered the brand’s best-selling vehicle worldwide.
Comments
The previous generation looked much better, the bland styling is really what killed the current gen Cruze. Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan, and Kia still sell a lot of sedans.
The last-gen Cruze looked good from the front, but it looked small in the back. Consumers tend to like vehicles that have styling to make it look bigger than it really is. Take the Civic for example, the version about 10 years ago looked small and like a Dodge Neon. The result was crappy sales. A quick reskin after less than 2 years and all of a sudden it’s the greatest thing on the road. And today a top of the line Civic goes for over 50K.
I have a theory that Ford engineers infiltrated GM and uglified a whole bunch of previously nice looking cars. Take for example the Camaro. I am a big fan of GM products, but that thing had styling issues. Or course the Mustang (which I used to despise) took off with their new offering. It’s a beautiful looking car, I have to admit. And the Colorado got uglier every time they came out with a new variant. Finally in 2024 they fixed the hideous styling. It looks great now. If I find out that GM hired a bunch of Ford people, my theory will be vindicated. What else would cause all these ugly cars to come from GM assembly plants?
And why does GM think that every owner of a sedan will trade it for a boring unpractical crossover? In my case I will switch to any brand that sells me a sedan but under no circumstance will I buy a SUV or a crossover. Not everybody like SUV´s or crossovers or is willing to buy one no matter what.
Everybody claims to be “green” but they keep buying gas guzzling, top heavy, dangerous SUVs. I am an old man who has never owned a car with an automatic transmission. My Chevy Cruze was purchased because it had a 6 speed manual. I’ve had it for 10 years with no issues. And then they came out with that ugly next generation Cruze with smaller mirrors, smaller tires, and a smaller overall car. Why did they expect sales to continue as before. Not too swift! Who designed that thing anyway?
Another stupid decision by gm. Honda,Toyota and the Asian brands do quite well selling sedans.
Having owned a 2013 Cruze from new, it was what I wanted at the time: A reasonably-priced compact sedan. I can get into and out of the Cruze, which is more than I can say for almost any crossover on the market. Is it any wonder Honda, Toyota, Kia and Hyundai are eating everyone else’s lunch in the small sedan market?
GM can enjoy the CAFE fines from their poor decision making.
They were nothing but trouble. Engines, Heads blew. Trans coolers leaked, Transmission problems. Rebadged Dawoo, Good Riddance. G.M. have a history of manufacturing Junk. Camira, Commodore, all had problems. Just close up for good you won’t be missed.
I bought a 2013 chevy Cruze it turned out to be the biggest peace of ____ that I ever bought it has been setting at a garage for four months replaced fuel pump and module new coil pack and still it will start sometimes but try to drive it it cuts right off that’s if and when it will start and even the dealership couldn’t figure it out but wants to charge over and over with different excuses now it sets at a garage in Columbia and no results except give them the car or pay a fortune to get it towed back to the house I believe gm knows that the Cruze is junk and don’t care