Chevrolet Cruze Spied
Chevrolet Cruze is the name of the vehicle that’s set to replace the current Chevrolet Cobalt. While North American vehicles sales continue to fall, the Chevrolet Cruze will play a large role in Chevrolet’s lineup as the brand needs more attractive cars to lure buyers into dealerships. Chevy’s reputation for trucks and SUVs have been hurting the automaker more than helping them as consumers have recently faced skyrocketing fuel costs, and the Cruze will be an attempt to keep consumers content.
The upcoming Chevrolet Cruze will be available in North America as well as other markets. Currently, the segment the Cobalt fills in North America is filled by the Chevrolet Lacetti and Nubira in Europe, which is built by Daewoo, and the Cruze will also become available in Europe as well. The Cruze will first find its way into the European market in the beginning of 2009, and will follow in North America in 2010.
Currently, plans for the Chevrolet Cruze only include a sedan, but a hatchback also seems likely, especially for the European market. The Chevy Lacetti which is already on sale in Europe may also be available alongside the Cruze as well. The Cruze will also fit between the Chevy Aveo and the Malibu, which is currently a crucial segment says San Diego Chevrolet who has seen dwindling demand in Chevy’s line of trucks and full-size SUVs. The Cruze also will be powered by a new direct-injection, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that could be as large as 2.0 liters in displacement with an expected 40 miles per gallon.
With the price of gas increasing along with the cost of living in general, consumer buying habits have changed dramatically and the small car segment has thus boomed as fewer customers are looking for larger vehicles. The subcompact Chevy Beat concept may also find its way to dealerships soon to compliment the fresh Cruze.
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Find more news surrounding the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze right here.