All too often it seems like the Big Three deliberately ignore their home market only to offer a fantastic model lineup overseas. General Motors’ upcoming Chevrolet Cruze four-door sedan is one vehicle that will be available both here and abroad, but the Detroit automaker will likely keep any body styling variants exclusive to foreign markets.
Hans Demant, vice president of engineering for General Motors Europe, revealed to Automotive News that GM was considering offering the Cruze as a hatchback and station wagon, in addition to the Cruze’s standard four-door sedan body style.
“And as soon as you have a tool set, you have variation which you can create basically at no cost,” Demant told Automotive News. “You have a customer advantage if you make a little modification while you’re doing that.”
Hatchback and wagons are far more popular in Europe than they are here in the U.S., but the segment is gaining traction as buyers move away from larger vehicles into more fuel efficient models. And, just because the additional models won’t initially be offered in the U.S., that doesn’t mean they won’t eventually come to the U.S. As Demant says, once tolling is in place, it’s very easy to create new variations. But with the Cruze sedan already delayed for the U.S., GM could once again decide to skip over the U.S. with European models.
10/27, 11:29 AM
posted by:
Madcapp
For increased sales, I would recommend the Dodge Challenger body style.
10/27, 11:59 AM
posted by:
audifan
i think that the European version will move over to America, Ford are doing that with the Focus and the European Focus looks alot better than the U.S. focus.
But there are a few cars that the U.S. should have brought over to Europe such as the Cobalt (SS), Subaru Impreza Sedan and Corrola Sedan.
10/27, 12:51 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Even if GM did tease us with the lure of more styles, they’ll then just “delay the launch” byt 3 to 20 years. For a while there I thought there was hope for GM, but now I think they are more retarded than Ford.
GM & Chrysler deserve each other.
10/27, 1:34 PM
posted by:
MercMark
I don’t think hatchbacks would sell very well.
10/27, 2:25 PM
posted by:
A4
id prefer a hatchback
10/27, 2:36 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Too much choice is just confusing anyway. One style, one color, one engine, one price: that’s all we deserve. This is GENERAL Motors we’re talking about and without the concepts of rank and order chaos will surely ensue.
10/27, 2:56 PM
posted by:
archcommus
Not offering at least a coupe seems pretty silly. A lot of people wanting a small car prefer the body style of two doors. There are plenty of Civc, Cobalt, and Focus coupes all over the place, obviously people want them. I’ve always thought it was dumb of Toyota to not offer the Corolla in a coupe, and especially considering how many Cobalt coupes I see around, I would be dumbfounded if GM did not consider it for the Cruze.
10/27, 3:18 PM
posted by:
Fromes
maybe they should just worry about making the car available in the first place
10/27, 5:24 PM
posted by:
andy
they need to bring that damn insignia wagon over for the aura, that thing looks fantastic… and if they can make a cruze wagon look that good aswell then GM needs to do it for it aswell
10/27, 7:12 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
As long as they don’t bring back those d@mned wood-covered station wagons…
10/27, 10:05 PM
posted by:
john m
Well, being a citizen of the USA, I can now sleep well at night knowing that the entire rest of the world will get the hatch and wagon version of the Cruze while we here in the USA will get a you know what shoved you know where….AGAIN! Boy I can’t wait to see that crappy looking c pillar on the streets of the USA….oh boy that looks great! (That’s sarcasm GM). The car does look very good for the most part, especially the interior. But that c pillar……..I’d rather be poked in the eye. Anyway it’s a shame that hatches and wagons don’t sell very well here. I guess a lot of people here are truley scared for life with those wood paneled 30 foot battle wagons. Too bad because I’ll bet the Cruze hatch and wagon will look pretty good.
10/27, 10:53 PM
posted by:
LJ
I would not mind another hatchback. We are on our second one in 7+ years. We have hauled 26″ Men’s bike, 4-6 cu ft wheelbarrows, water softeners, 1×6’s, you name it.
Hatch closed, too.
And still seat 2-3 people, and get 31-34MPG.
And fun to drive, too.
Very few things we needed a truck for…and when we did need one, we called a relative( 2 times in 10 years) to get a truck.
10/27, 10:55 PM
posted by:
LJ
Oh, I just remembered… Ford Fiesta( 5, or 3..or will it be both, and sedan) coming in Jan 2010, according to my local dealership.
Might not have to wait until 2011-2012…or never,for a 40 MPG hatchback vehicle.
10/27, 10:59 PM
posted by:
LJ
There are hatchbacks getting 40+ MPG(VW diesel wagon, and Prius)… I meant to say, a reagular gas engined car, with a hatch, getting(supposed to) 40(or more) MPG..hatch(hopefully, a 3 or 5 door to choose from..both would be nice).
10/28, 12:19 AM
posted by:
IVIIVI4ck3y27
Archcommus wrote:I’ve always thought it was dumb of Toyota to not offer the Corolla in a coupe, and especially considering how many Cobalt coupes I see around, I would be dumbfounded if GM did not consider it for the Cruze.
Honestly, while I do agree that GM would definitely be missing an opportunity with a Cruze coupe (and maybe convertible), maybe even consider offering it as either the Cruze coupe or keep the Cobalt name and the Cobalt’s SS successes… the new Corolla that is offered here is similar in size and specs to the Scion tC. In that regard, there’s not really much sense in offering the Corolla in a coupe when there’s already the tC since they’d be playing for the same market effectively. Not to mention, the tC (I own an ‘07 Flint Mica) looks better than the Corolla anyhow.