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Motor Authority - blog Tag: Chevrolet Cruze

  • GM Chairman wants to see models on sale ahead of schedule

    GM Chairman wants to see models on sale ahead of schedule August 5th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, August 5th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 4 Comments

    GM Chairman wants to see models on sale ahead of schedule In a market where only about 10 million cars are expected to be sold annually - down from 16 million last year - every tenth of a percent of market share counts. That's why Board of Directors Chairman Ed Whitacre sees a strong need to act quickly to prevent further market share erosion.

    Despite the boost of the CARS 'cash for clunkers' scheme, GM saw its share of the marketplace drop from 20.5% to 18.9% in July, according to the Detroit News. To help turn that trend around, Whitacre is pushing to get every upcoming new model out to the public as early as possible, though exactly which models will get the treatment isn't being disclosed.

    ... In a market where only about 10 million cars are expected to be sold annually - down from 16 million last year - every tenth of a percent of market share counts. That's why Board of Directors Chairman Ed Whitacre sees a strong need to act quickly to prevent further market share erosion. Despite the boost of the CARS 'cash for clunkers' scheme, GM saw its share of the marketplace drop from 20.5% to 18.9% in July, according to the Detroit News. To help turn that trend around, Whitacre is pushing to get every upcoming new model out to the public as early as possible, though exactly which models will get the treatment isn't being disclosed. Likely candidates include the Chevrolet Cruze small sedan and its up-market Buick platform mate, the fuel-efficient and compact Chevrolet Orlando crossover and, of course, the Chevrolet Volt. With several years of development and the recent focus on moving forward with the Volt during bankruptcy, GM's extended-range EV could be just what is needed to clean up the company's image - even if availability would be limited by the underlying technology at first. The Cruze, previously delayed during GM's financial difficulties, could be a prime candidate for moving back up to its initial schedule. Offering a competitive, attractive entry-level sedan could be important with Ford's Focus getting updates soon. Even more important could be the Buick version of the Cruze, which would go head-to-head with the smaller entry-luxury models like the BMW 1-series, Lexus HS250h. A hybrid Orlando could take the fight to the mid-market crossover sector with its dashing new style, 7-passenger seating and impressive fuel economy - expected to top 40mpg in conventional form. Since the Orlando also shares underpinnings with the Cruze sedan, bringing the platform to market makes a lot of sense. Only time will tell if GM has what it takes to turn its image around now that it has its financial house in order, but if the past few years of products are any indication, it certainly has the goods to build on - now it just needs to make the perception match the reality.Chevrolet Orlando Concept Official photos2012 Cruze-based Buick sedan spy shots Read More

  • Spy shots: Cruze-based Buick compact sedan hits the ‘Ring

    Spy shots: Cruze-based Buick compact sedan hits the ‘Ring June 24th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, June 24th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 9 Comments

    Spy shots: Cruze-based Buick compact sedan hits the ‘Ring General Motors is still more than a year away from launching the Chevrolet Cruze sedan in North America but instead of speeding up its arrival the automaker is working on a new Buick sedan based on the Cruze platform. Fears of GM’s cash problems haven’t managed to deter work on the upcoming Buick compact sedan, which like the Cruze will likely be offered as a global model.

    Built around GM’s FWD Delta II platform, the Buick compact sedan also shares much in common with the 2010 Opel Astra, which means there’s a chance it could be produced at Russelsheim plant in Germany. The new spy shot of interior confirms that both... General Motors is still more than a year away from launching the Chevrolet Cruze sedan in North America but instead of speeding up its arrival the automaker is working on a new Buick sedan based on the Cruze platform. Fears of GM’s cash problems haven’t managed to deter work on the upcoming Buick compact sedan, which like the Cruze will likely be offered as a global model. Built around GM’s FWD Delta II platform, the Buick compact sedan also shares much in common with the 2010 Opel Astra, which means there’s a chance it could be produced at Russelsheim plant in Germany. The new spy shot of interior confirms that both cars share a similar cabin design. U.S. versions are likely to be built at GM’s Lordstown plant in Ohio alongside the Cruze. The new model will almost certainly be offered in China as well, considering that is Buick’s biggest market. Engine options should mirror that of the Cruze, which means a range of compact four-cylinder units in both naturally-aspirated and turbocharged forms, with both petrol and diesel options. The other benefit of the Delta II platform is the possibility of a plug-in hybrid version using Volt technology, although GM is more likely to use other brands such as Cadillac to expand its plug-in hybrid range. Don’t hold your breath for the new sedan as it isn’t expected to be launched until sometime in 2012, possibly as a 2013 model.2012 Cruze-based Buick sedan spy shots Read More

  • Holden designing Cruze-based hatch for global markets

    Holden designing Cruze-based hatch for global markets June 3rd, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, June 3rd, 2009 Jeremy Weber 8 Comments

    Holden designing Cruze-based hatch for global markets From the onset Chevrolet’s new Cruze compact sedan was designed as a global model. Today it’s already on sale in Asia, Europe and Australia and eventually it will be gracing showrooms here in the U.S., though there is still a wait of more than a year until that happens. As a global model, any variations of the car could also be sold in global markets and that is exactly what will happen with a new hatchback version currently in the works at Holden.

    The CEO of GM’s Aussie division Mark Reuss has confirmed to Drive that a small hatch based on the Cruze is set to enter production in the third quarter of next year. Reuss also... From the onset Chevrolet’s new Cruze compact sedan was designed as a global model. Today it’s already on sale in Asia, Europe and Australia and eventually it will be gracing showrooms here in the U.S., though there is still a wait of more than a year until that happens. As a global model, any variations of the car could also be sold in global markets and that is exactly what will happen with a new hatchback version currently in the works at Holden. The CEO of GM’s Aussie division Mark Reuss has confirmed to Drive that a small hatch based on the Cruze is set to enter production in the third quarter of next year. Reuss also revealed that the car will be designed and engineered fully in Australia, which means that it should be significantly different from the Cruze sedan on which it will be based. The hatch is expected to be positioned as a more upmarket model compared to the Cruze. Some of the differences will be sportier steering and suspension adjustments, and styling influences taken from the larger Commodore. The hatch could also feature more premium engines like the new 2010 Opel Astra’s 1.4L turbocharged unit as opposed to the Cruze’s naturally aspirated 1.8L mill. Reuss wasn’t willing to reveal which export markets the hatch may be sold in but insisted the company was “aggressively pursuing” an export deal to replace the $1 billion U.S. Pontiac G8 export program recently axed by GM.2010 Chevrolet Cruze2009 Holden Cruze Read More

  • GM reveals plan to build new small car at idled assembly plant in U.S.

    GM reveals plan to build new small car at idled assembly plant in U.S. May 29th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, May 29th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 2 Comments

    GM reveals plan to build new small car at idled assembly plant in U.S. In an atypically cryptic press release, General Motors today announced that it will be building a new small car at an unnamed idled UAW-staffed assembly plant here in the U.S. The new vehicle will be in addition to the already-planned 2011 Chevrolet Volt and Cruze, but it's not yet known which small car it will be.

    When the new small car will go into production also hasn't been disclosed, though with the Volt set to enter production late in 2010 and the Cruze aiming for an early 2010 release, it could be timed to fit between them, sometime in summer 2010.

    One small car candidate is the Chevrolet Spark, born from the long-lived Beat concept... In an atypically cryptic press release, General Motors today announced that it will be building a new small car at an unnamed idled UAW-staffed assembly plant here in the U.S. The new vehicle will be in addition to the already-planned 2011 Chevrolet Volt and Cruze, but it's not yet known which small car it will be. When the new small car will go into production also hasn't been disclosed, though with the Volt set to enter production late in 2010 and the Cruze aiming for an early 2010 release, it could be timed to fit between them, sometime in summer 2010. One small car candidate is the Chevrolet Spark, born from the long-lived Beat concept revealed in 2007. Other models could also see U.S. production, however, especially with the ongoing brand shuffle at GM, as well as the expected bankruptcy filing coming June 1. It wouldn't be beyond the pale to see a re-branded Opel or Saturn model sold as a Chevrolet, such as the Astra. "Small cars represent one of the fastest growing segments in both the U.S. and around the world," said Fritz Henderson, General Motors President and CEO. "We believe this car will be a winner with our current and future customers in the U.S. "This vehicle segment, while important today and expected to be more so in the future, is extremely challenging. It takes a special effort by everyone to bring a domestically produced small car to market in a cost-competitive and profitable way - but that is what we are going to do together [with the UAW]." The new small car is apparently expected to be a major volume seller, with GM upping its estimate of the percentage of U.S.-built GM sales from the current 67% to over 70% by 2013.2011 Chevrolet Spark minicar2010 Opel Astra Read More

  • GM scraps plans for Volt engine plant in Flint, Michigan

    GM scraps plans for Volt engine plant in Flint, Michigan February 24th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, February 24th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 3 Comments

    GM scraps plans for Volt engine plant in Flint, Michigan Earlier this month General Motors announced that it was putting plans for the construction of a new engine plant in Flint, Michigan, on hold. The plant was to build a new range of 1.4L four-cylinder powertrains for cars like the Chevrolet Volt and Cruze, but a company spokesperson has now revealed that those plans have now been scrapped.

    The first batch of engines to be used in the Volt will be sourced from a plant in Aspern, Austria, but eventually GM plans to update one of its existing Flint plants to start construction of the new powertrains. The move will save money and utilize available floorspace within the Flint South engine plant on... Earlier this month General Motors announced that it was putting plans for the construction of a new engine plant in Flint, Michigan, on hold. The plant was to build a new range of 1.4L four-cylinder powertrains for cars like the Chevrolet Volt and Cruze, but a company spokesperson has now revealed that those plans have now been scrapped. The first batch of engines to be used in the Volt will be sourced from a plant in Aspern, Austria, but eventually GM plans to update one of its existing Flint plants to start construction of the new powertrains. The move will save money and utilize available floorspace within the Flint South engine plant on Bristol Road, reports The Detroit News. Preparation work at the Flint South plant will start in the third quarter of the year and engine production is expected to start in December 2010. The total cost of refurbishing the plant will be about $250 million as opposed to the $370 million needed to build a new plant. The engine in question is a new 1.4L petrol unit from an engine group called the ‘Family 0’, which includes powerplants displacing between 1.0 and 1.4L. Family 0 engines first appeared as far back as 1997 and have been in production in Europe since then. A naturally-aspirated version of the 1.4L unit was destined for the Volt, while the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze was to use a more powerful turbocharged version. GM has also revealed that a third of all its engines made in North America by 2011 will be four-cylinder units and 21% of those will be turbocharged - seven times the number of four-cylinder turbo engines it makes today.2011 Chevrolet Volt Production model2010 Chevrolet Cruze Read More

  • First Chevrolet Volt engines will come from Austria

    First Chevrolet Volt engines will come from Austria February 4th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, February 4th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 12 Comments

    First Chevrolet Volt engines will come from Austria General Motors has confirmed that the first batch of its upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrids will feature an internal combustion ‘back-up’ engine sourced from Aspern, Austria, and not from Flint, Michigan, as originally planned. The announcement comes just a week after it was revealed that GM’s contract to build a new engine plant in Flint to supply the necessary 1.4L four-cylinder units for the Volt had been canceled.

    The decision to source the engines from overseas will not add any extra cost to the car’s eventual sticker price, which is expected to fall some around the $40,000 mark. The information comes from... General Motors has confirmed that the first batch of its upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrids will feature an internal combustion ‘back-up’ engine sourced from Aspern, Austria, and not from Flint, Michigan, as originally planned. The announcement comes just a week after it was revealed that GM’s contract to build a new engine plant in Flint to supply the necessary 1.4L four-cylinder units for the Volt had been canceled. The decision to source the engines from overseas will not add any extra cost to the car’s eventual sticker price, which is expected to fall some around the $40,000 mark. The information comes from GM spokesperson Sharon Basel who told Ward’s Auto that GM is simply leveraging its global footprint and that there was nothing unusual about the decision. Basel also stressed that Flint will remain the target for North American sourcing of the 1.4L engine, and that GM may consider using an existing plant instead of building something new. The engine in question is a new 1.4L petrol unit from an engine group called the ‘Family 0’, which includes powerplants displacing between 1.0 and 1.4L. Family 0 engines first appeared as far back as 1997 and have been in production in Europe since then. A naturally-aspirated version of the 1.4L unit was destined for the Volt, while the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze was to use a more powerful turbocharged version. The Austrian engines will be sent to the Volt assembly plant in Hamtramck, Michigan, and the Cruze facility in Lordstown, Ohio. GM is still committed to investing $30 million to build a new battery plant in Michigan together with LG Chem. It hopes to build about 10,000 Volts in the first year of production, eventually ramping up to about 60,000 units per year.2011 Chevrolet Volt Production model2010 Chevrolet Cruze Read More

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