Will GM Bring Us A Diesel, Manual Station Wagon?

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

The Chevrolet Cruze hatchback that’s sold in virtually every market except the United States still won’t be coming to America – but we may have the chance to get a Cruze wagon, if Automotive News has their story straight.

GM is apparently working on a Cruze wagon, essentially a stretched version of the already attractive Cruze hatch. Yes, general wisdom says that Americans don’t buy hatches. But the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra Touring (which debuts next month), Volkswagen Golf, Kia Forte5, Toyota Matrix and Mazda3 all exist – why not something from the bowtie brand? As AN notes, the Cruze did very well in 2011’s sales charts and all of the volume was composed of 4-door sedans. Surely a Cruze 5-door would add something to the mix? Canada, a strong market for the Cruze, and hatches in general, would gobble this thing up. A Cruze Eco hatch with a 6-speed stick would be a fantastic way to get around in my books. Or what about the prospect of a wagon version of the Cruze diesel? Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves here…

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • NormSV650 NormSV650 on Jan 27, 2012

    So Cruze is number one seller without a coupe, a wagon, or even a convertible? You guys are just drooling for a Buick Verano wagon prospects? American drivers like to sit up high in traffic and think they'll choose an Equinox before a Cruze wagon.

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    • BigDuke6 BigDuke6 on Jan 28, 2012

      @PrincipalDan Nope. It would have to be a two-door......

  • Steven02 Steven02 on Jan 27, 2012

    I for one would like a wagon more than a 5 door for the extra space. Would be nice if they built it, but for some reason, I don't see it coming.

  • Ciddyguy Ciddyguy on Jan 27, 2012

    This Cruze in hatch for is very nice looking but that color, not so much, makes it look like a plain vanilla car, which it actually is in many ways. I'd be interested but it's a tad too large for my preferences though. Disappointed that GM is not willing to bring this stateside, or to Canada either for that matter.

  • Alluster Alluster on Jan 28, 2012

    This just in: 45% of Focus sold to fleets in 2011. http://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmuller/2012/01/25/why-ford-needs-to-worry/ GM should not worry about short term profits regarding the Cruze HBwagon. It's already developed for other markets and by bringing it here, they can spread the costs. Most importantly, the hatch/wagon command a price premium and puts this car on people's shopping lists who would never considered a Chevy before, especially if comes with a diesel and stick. Euro styled HB's are highly popular among well educated consumers with higher incomes and credit scores, the kind of customers GM should be vying for. This also denies sales to the competition like the matrix golf and focus. Instead of wasting their money and resources on a sales failure like the Volt, a Cruze diesel if marketed properly has the most potential to steal sales away from the Prius and outgreen Toyota. At 50 MPG highway and a starting price of $20K, no sane person would buy a prius if saving money was their top priority.

    • Herm Herm on Jan 28, 2012

      but a Cruze diesel hb wont be $20k, more like $23-24k.. and they have to spend money to get a modern diesel US certified. eAssist is a lot cheaper.

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