GM Denies US Diesel Cruze… For Now
Initial reports of a diesel version of the Chevy Cruze coming to the US market cited GM management sources who apparently told workers at the Cruze’s Lordstown, OH assembly plant they would begin building the diesel-powered Cruze for the 2013 model-year. But GM spokesfolks tell the Youngstown Vindicator.
GM has some of the most capable engineers in the world and very capable engineering in Europe. If and when the time comes, there is no doubt GM will be able to produce a diesel engine in America,
The implication being that a diesel Cruze is not imminent… but that doesn’t mean it will never happen. Local UAW boss Dave Green clarifies
I did see the report. I read where we may be getting some diesel-powered Cruzes, but we have not gotten word of that from our corporate offices
So… call the diesel Cruze a big maybe. At some point. Perhaps Chevy is waiting for t he Cruze five-door to come online before making an all-out bid for America’s “Mr Euro” market with a diesel hatchback.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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As much as I appreciate the enthusiasm Z71...given the complete lack of real market presence for any diesel vehicle here in the USA (I'd have to imagine that the combined sales of all diesel-powered vehicles here for any given year barely register), I don't see a stampede of buyers lining up for a diesel Cruze...
A little trivia; the last Chevy GM nameplate auto that was available with a diesel was the 81-85 Chevette. It came with the Isuzu 1.9 diesel and got an EPA estimated 50 MPG which was a mileage leader right up there on yop of the EPA best mileage list with comparable small cars such as the VW Rabbit diesel and Honda Civic CVCC. My dad owned a 81 2dr 5 speed with dealer installed air as his commuter car. He got 50+ MPG highway mid 30's city. The car was quite reliable though being RWD, not great in snow and the EBrake occasionally froze. As far as a diesel Cruze goes it could be a niche market car and pull away some VW TDI owners, folks who can't afford a Audi A3 or BMW 330D or be popular with fleets, though diesel rentals are a hard sell since all you need is one dumb renter to fill it with regular to ruin your day.
I don't see why they would. The 1.4L turbo petrol will have the same fuel economy and better performance. The diesel Cruze is only offered in Australia because farmers and miners can get diesel excise-free, saving 38 cents a litre (actually they can get any fuel excise free but they need to have their own fuel storage and have to have diesel for tractors and it makes sense to use the same fuel for everything).
Why wouldn't this go in the Buick Verano?