Entering production in April 2010 at the Lordstown, Ohio plant in the United States, the Chevy Cruze is sure to be a hit. With the initial release of the vehicle in mid 2009 in Europe, GM will definitely have the kinks worked out in time for it’s North American release.
There have been widespread rumors in regards to the efficiency of the vehicle. The outgoing Cobalt, currently gets 33-mpg on the highway and it’s special fuel efficiency program (XFE) counterpart gets 37-mpg on the highway.
On August 12th, 2008 Beth Lowry confirmed the new upcoming Cruze will get 9-mpg better gas mileage then the current Cobalt. We are not mathematicians, but 37 + 9 is 46-mpg, but we dare not argue with a press release. The success of the Cruze is essential to the survival of General Motors, as it seems only it’s compact segment is performing in terms of sales.
The Cobalt, which is confirmed to be leaving in 2010 has been a consistent performer, with sales of approximately 200,000 units annually. This compact segment is particularly important to each of the Big Three, as each company has been posting losses due to it’s heavy presence in the truck market. Therefore the key players view the compact segment as opportunity to make up for lost sales in other areas caused by higher gasoline prices.
The Cruze according to General Motors press releases, will be powered by a 1.4L turbocharged global engine, which is said to produce 140hp. No word yet on an SS model, which has been an important part of sport compact tuning since it’s debut. It will be slightly larger in size then the Cobalt, however smaller in size than the Malibu.
General Motors has set $150 million aside for development costs for the Cruze, as well as $350 million for refurbishing the Ohio plant for manufacturing the vehicle. Amidst of cutbacks, the Lordstown, Ohio plant is one of the few to receive new product and an increase in capacity. This is part of a larger scale turnaround plan to fully revitalize General Motors and turn it profitable.
CEO Rick Wagoner recently revealed a full size foam replica of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze at a recent news conference at Lordstown, Ohio General Motors manufacturing plant.
To keep up to date on the new Chevrolet Cruze visit : www.CruzeChat.com
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