The fit and finish of the current Malibu bode well for new Chevy’s (Chevies? Chevys? Chevrolets. There. That’s better.) The current Daewoo, I mean Aveo, is cute but absolutely awful by almost everyone’s measurement.

GM’s current four cylinder engines are smooth. Remember the ones from not so long ago? They all sounded like tractors! It was the main reason that I wondered if GM would ever build a good small car.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Patriotism means, in part, believing in the values your country stands for. One of those is free choice. The choice to buy something you like and want, regardless of its origin, and not be bullied into buying crap that happens to be made here.

Side profile reminds me of Mazda 3 meets I hate to say it, Sebring sedan. Ford Fusion headlights, Malibu grille and a generic rear that could be mistaken for a whole lot of Japanese/Korean cars.

And please, stop with that freaking chrome strip over the license plate already. There’s no law stating that there has to be a chrome strip there.

This is the most important car that GM is introducing at the LA Auto Show. Chevy’s marketing should be taken into the snow in Detroit, lined up, and shot. Chevy’s presence at the LA Auto Show is a total disaster. If this is the new Chevy, then GM is doomed!!!!!!! Somehow, I am guessing that this is the reason Fritz Henderson was fired last week. Chairman Whitacre probably saw what I saw and realized that change was needed and needed quickly.

“It’s the most significant car of the show,” said Jake Fisher, senior auto engineer for Consumer Reports, shortly after the car was introduced Wednesday.

The new compact car towers over other vehicles displayed at the show because it provides cutting-edge technology and design in a high-volume vehicle that people will be able to afford, Fisher said.

Quite simply, the Cruze gives GM a good chance to compete in small cars, he said. The car promises better fuel economy and has more space than Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.

“This is a big step forward for General Motors and for small cars,” he said.

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/dec/03/consumer-reports-cruze-most-significant-car-l-car-/?newswatch

Looks better than the Cobalt, but still boring. The Elantra and Giulietta are more interesting to look at. I don’t like either of those, but at least there’s something to dislike.

GM has made some excellent cars but still has some minor problems, if GM continues to improve their cars, their cars might actually be pretty decent.

The Cruze for Euro and Aus is made in Korea, but I eblieve Australia will be building their own in a years time and China already builds theirs I think. It really is a world effort and sits on the same brand new platform as the all new Opel Astra, so in essence its really nothing like the previous Daewoo/CHevy Europe products of before…If anything, its more Euro/German than Korean.