General Motors is apparently considering delaying the launch of its much-anticipated Cruze compact car in the United States. Sources within the Detroit automaker say that the Cruze has been pushed back from a 2010 model year launch to 2011 and that the Cobalt – GM’s current entry into the crowded compact field – would continue to be their only entry.
GM’s Dee Allen would neither deny or confirm the report. He told Business Week that the automaker would “continue to review the portfolio and concentrate on what’s most important.”
The news magazine also reports that the automaker, which is burning through cash at a rate of $1 billion per month, is also considering delaying the Malibu replacement by 6 months. The current Malibu is scheduled to be replaced for the 2012 model year, but to conserve money, the automaker is considering waiting another six months.
10/27, 9:40 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
…….. 1) Don’t offer the Chevy Beat/Groove/Trax here.
…….. 2) Instead, offer a Pontiac version of the Aveo
…….. 3) Delay the CTS Coupe
…….. 4) Delay the Cruze
which leads to
…….. 5) Just shut your doors now before you lay off the last guy & he forgets to.
Shesh. Only in the USA can overpaid senior management be so retarded.
10/27, 9:48 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
Wow, GM is delaying EVERYTHING lately. I heard the C7 Corvette has been pushed back to 2015.
I don’t think it’s smart to delay a small fuel efficient car that will probably sell well. Ford’s moving up the Fiesta, and that’s a good move.
10/27, 9:49 AM
posted by:
EVOQ
delaying the malibu isn’t such a bad thing, but the cruze? that’s crazy.
10/27, 10:04 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Really, what I don’t get about this is that this car is not designed specifically for the USA. In fact it is a world car and will be available almost everywhere but here, so what is actually going to be “saved” by delaying the launch? Cars sort of have a “shelf life” where what is new and fresh today is old and stale tomorrow, so delaying the Cruze in North America will only cause it to be a little more old and a little more stale when compared to the small, efficient competition that will not delay their competitive offerings, and in fact will push them to market more quickly (as with the Fiesta) to attract market share.
The Cobalt is barely competitive now. Does GM really think people are going to want that heap for the next 3 years?
10/27, 10:38 AM
posted by:
A4
maybe the cobalt is just selling really well? nah…
10/27, 10:39 AM
posted by:
TomF
This is pathetic. And now US taxpayers are subsidizing this incompetence. That is all.
10/27, 10:46 AM
posted by:
shaver
Maybe this has something to do with it, “the automaker, which is burning through cash at a rate of $1 billion per month”. The author at LLN seems to think so. Most every GM story in LLN lately is predicated with that little factoid.
10/27, 11:00 AM
posted by:
freeyellow2000
The delaying the Cruze is a bad move…Stupid management should just get the product to the market (of course without any defects) instead of delaying it yet again (I wonder what the excuse it… no more $$$ is my guess) … No wonder they are in debt. Unlike there competitors, they have a mind set to get something that the market wants and are willing to build it so they can reap in the profits.
10/27, 11:04 AM
posted by:
Lawnchair88
Maybe they’re trying to come up with a better name
10/27, 12:39 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Chevrolet Delay LTZ. I like it.
10/27, 12:49 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
No worries … the government will step in and offer up as much worthless paper as they may need.
I’m hearing the US defaults next summer … that’ll be something to behold … buy gold.
10/27, 2:52 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
GM just killed all of its full size SUV’s too according to Edmunds. Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, Avalanche – all gone as of 2011.
If they’re not careful, GM will find itself at the turn of the decade with virtually no new product, no market share leading models, and a fleet of old models overdue for redesign, with no money and a legacy of Chrysler problems.
Up until recently, I liked where GM was headed, and their product plan made lots of sense with some strong new models coming out. Now with all the cancellations and delays, I think they’re headed straight for the crapper.
10/27, 2:53 PM
posted by:
Borat
As former autonut I predicted that it will never happen. Lets all wait till congress has it hand in product development.
10/27, 6:32 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
I’m tired of hearing “Oh so and so delayed this, so and so put off 1,000 workers, so and so thinking of doing this, ect ect ect….” Screw delaying just put the damn car out there and make profit. Obviously this thing will be outdated by 2011.
10/27, 7:38 PM
posted by:
rob2299usa
This is irresponsible reporting. The Cruze has NOT been delayed. It is following the plan that it always has been, mid-2010 as a 2011 model year. If you don’t believe me look up any article from when GM first announced the Cruze was coming to N.A. and it will confirm this. Even BusinessWeek had an article from July that confirms this in the very first paragraph.
10/27, 7:57 PM
posted by:
DrFill
BTW, the next Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/Escalade are CANCELLED.
When you start to cut off profit centers like these, it is time to worry.
They better sell every Volt they make, and they better make a profit on ‘em too.
Replacing high-profit vehicles with vehicles that WILL LOSE MONEY every time they are sold.
Yeah, that’s rocketing to the poor house
Here comes Hairy Handout
DrFill
10/27, 8:34 PM
posted by:
VWgrouP
Delayed?
…GOOD!
10/28, 11:04 AM
posted by:
RaineMan
The next Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/Escalade will be based off of the current Acadia/Enclaive/Outlook/Traverse. They’re going unibody FWD with V6 power and an optional V8. No more of this body-on-frame truck based stuff. The public is still demanding big people haulers… and GM has found a way to give them what they want with the added bonus of improved fuel efficiency.