What's Wrong With This Picture: Freshly-Hatched Cruze Edition

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Yes, it’s real. And no, it’s not an Impreza. But it will help Chevy continue its campaign of cannibalism against Opel, as GM’s presser notes that

Hatchbacks play a critical role in many markets. The total compact segment in Europe represents around 4.8 million units which is over a quarter of the total market, with hatchbacks representing around 65% of that volume. We therefore expect to see increased business in a number of regions, while sending out a signal that Chevrolet is now a serious mainstream player in Europe.

Look for the production model to debut at the forthcoming Paris Auto Show… meanwhile, my first-ever beef with the Cruze (that it seemed styled to be a sedan-only model) has basically been settled. For the Europeans, anyway.


Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Zombo Zombo on Sep 04, 2010

    It's ironic that a car that looks like a lowered and chopped Dodge Caliber is being called nice looking by as many people who saw the Caliber as ugly . Too bad the hatch version of the Cruze probably won't be sold in the sedan preferring U.S. market . http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/review-2010-dodge-caliber-sxt-updated-interior/

  • Andrew van der Stock Andrew van der Stock on Sep 05, 2010

    Although this car was styled in Australia, I just hope that it's not built by GM-DAT again. The build quality is so-so to say the least. At least it's not a sedan. Sedans are utterly incompetent family haulers. There's a reason why SUVs are so popular - there are no realistic wagons or hatchbacks on sale in the US.

  • The Oracle Well, we’re 3-4 years in with the Telluride and right around the time the long term durability issues start to really take hold. This is sad.
  • CoastieLenn No idea why, but nothing about a 4Runner excites me post-2004. To me, they're peak "try-hard", even above the Wrangler and Gladiator.
  • AZFelix A well earned anniversary.Can they also attend to the Mach-E?
  • Jalop1991 The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged due to suspected improper assembly by the supplier. Over time, partial engagement can cause damage to the intermediate shaft splines. Damaged shaft splines may result in unintended vehicle movement while in Park if the parking brake is not engagedGee, my Chrysler van automatically engages the parking brake when we put it in Park. Do you mean to tell me that the idjits at Kia, and the idjit buyers, couldn't figure out wanting this in THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE????
  • Dukeisduke I've been waiting to see if they were going to do something special for the 60th Anniversary. I was four years old when the Mustang was introduced. I can remember that one of our neighbors bought a '65 coupe (they were all titled as '65 models, even the '64-1/2 cars), and it's the first one I can remember seeing. In the '90s I knew an older gentleman that owned a '64-1/2 model coupe with the 260 V8.
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