Chevrolet Cruze to debut at Guangzhou auto show

Shanghai, November 5 (Gasgoo.com) GM will debut its all-new compact sedan Chevrolet Cruze at the upcoming Guangzhou auto show later this month. The Cruze will go on sale in China simultaneously with the European launch in early 2009, said Chinese media today, citing Shanghai GM sources.

According to GM, the Chevy Cruze "was developed by a global design and engineering team and will be built in multiple locations around the world" and is underpinned by the GM Delta II platform (also used for Opel Insignia). Cruze features a dramatic re-interpretation of the traditional sedan featuring Chevrolet's new global design language that is becoming a signature on all new products carrying the gold bowtie.

GM will release the Chevy Cruze as the first model for its global auto strategy. But to meet various market demands, the China-made Cruze for the local market will be different from the American and European versions in many aspects such as the safety design and power system.

In Europe, the Cruze will be fitted with 1.6-liter and 1.8-liter gasoline engines, and a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine. Transmission choices are a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Both 1.6-liter and 1.8-liter gasoline versions will be made in China by Shanghai GM. The turbo-charged version of a smaller engine is also likely to be introduced to China for local production.

The Chevrolet Cruze, as a global model to rival the Ford Focus, will start to sell in Europe and China simultaneously in March 2009, followed by other global markets. It will be priced between 110,000 ($16,100) and 150,000 yuan for the Chinese market, with young professionals as its target buyers. The Cruze is set to win more of the small-car segment for GM China.