Marketing
The Chevrolet Cruze was launched in the Egyptian market during mid-2009.[78] South African sales of the Cruze commenced in September 2009.[79]
South Korean-market versions of the Cruze entered production there in 2008 as the "Daewoo Lacetti Premiere".[28] The Lacetti debuted on October 30, 2008, featuring the 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine.[80] On January 30, 2009, GM Daewoo introduced the turbodiesel engine variant.[81] Inline with the February 2011 renaming of "GM Daewoo" to "GM Korea", the Lacetti Premiere adopted the international "Chevrolet Cruze" name from March 2, 2011.[82][83] For the owners of the previous model, Lacetti, GM Korea decided to replace the old emblem to that of Chevrolet for free.[84]
The Chevrolet Cruze was launched in the Chinese market on April 18, 2009, as a sedan[85] manufactured at GM India's Halol factory.[46] Transmission choices were a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic along with 1.6- or 1.8-liter engines. The sedan range consisted of the 1.6 SL, 1.6 SE, 1.8 SE (automatic only) and 1.8 SX (automatic only). Hatchback models were introduced in 2013 available with the 1.6-liter or 1.6-liter turbo engines.
The Chevrolet Cruze was released in India on October 12, 2009.[86] It was offered in only two versions: LT and LTZ in diesel form only (VCDi).[87]
During 2009, there were reports that the Cruze was to become available in Malaysia with the 1.6 and a 1.8-liter engines.[88] The Naza automotive group in Malaysia has announced that it's expecting to launch the Cruze in the Malaysian market for the first time in the second quarter of 2010 and they are expecting to sell 1,200 to 1,500 units in 2010.[89]
In Thailand, the car launch in December 2010, built at GM's Rayong facility. Specification levels comprised: Base (1.6-liter), LS (1.6- and 1.8-liter), LT and LTZ (1.8-liter), 6-speed automatic are standard in all models except 1.6 Base used 5-speed manual, with an optional 2.0-liter VCDi available on LTZ variant with 6-speed automatic.
In the Philippines, the Cruze replaced the aging Optra in 2010. The Cruze came in 3 different variants; the entry-level "1.8L" the mid-range "1.8LS" & the top-spec "1.8LT". All variants are powered by Chevrolet's 1.8L inline-four ECOTEC engine coupled to a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission (LS & LT variants only) with manual mode (LT variant). The "LS" featured three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, fabric seats, 6-disc 6-speakers audio system with MP3 playback & USB connectivity, keyless entry, immobilizer, automatic climate controls, ABS, dual front & side airbags among other features. The "LT" variant featured upgraded leather seats & 17-inch alloy wheels.[90][91]
By 2011, Chevrolet introduced the "2.0LT VCDi" variant powered by a 2.0L CRDi diesel engine paired to a standard 6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. It featured a proximity key with start/stop button.[92] In 2014, Chevrolet launched a redesigned Cruze which featured a different frontend.
Holden announced at the Melbourne International Motor Show on February 27, 2009, that sales of the South Korean-produced Cruze would begin under the Holden brand.[93] Replacing the Holden Viva, the Cruze reached dealerships on June 1, 2009.[94] The Cruze hatchback also became the replacement for the Holden Astra, dropped from the Holden lineup the following August.[95][96] Given the model designation JG, the Holden Cruze was launched with the 1.8-liter petrol engine and optional 2.0-liter turbodiesel. Both engines are mated to the five-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic.
On March 18, 2010, Holden issued a recall for 9,098 petrol-engined 2010 model year Cruzes in Australia and a further 485 in New Zealand over a faulty fuel hose. According to Holden, some hoses on 1.8-liter cars had developed a leakage, although no accidents or injuries had been reported prior to the recall.[97] The recall followed a stop-delivery notice issued by Holden to its dealers on March 3 while the automaker conducted an investigation into the matter.[98]
Holden announced on December 22, 2008, that its Elizabeth Plant production line would be split to commence local production of the Cruze sedan and the Australian-developed hatchback.[99] Production was originally scheduled to start by September 2010.[100] However, it was confirmed in January 2010 that production would begin in March 2011.[101] The announcement to assemble the car came as a response to the slowing sales of the larger, locally produced Commodore range.[99] The Australian Government committed A$149 million to the program from its $6.2 billion Green Car Innovation Fund, with a further $30 million given by the State Government of South Australia.[99]
On February 28, 2011, Holden unveiled the Australian assembled Cruze sedan in facelifted "Series II" guise,[102] otherwise known as the JH series.[103] Prime Minister Julia Gillard attended the February launch to drive the first example off Holden's production line before full-scale production commenced in March.[43] Holden has confirmed an initial local content level of between 40 and 50 percent if assessed by retail value, with an aim of increasing Cruze localization over time.[104][105] Series II styling revisions to the grille, lower air intake, and bumper have softened the front-end to bear a closer resemblance to Holden's larger VE II Commodore.[102] Further differentiation from the original has been achieved via the fitment of amber front
In mid-November 2011, Holden released the MY12 update to the Series II Cruze. This update coincided with the release of the hatchback body variant and saw Bluetooth telephone connectivity standard across the range.[108] In April 2013, the Series II Cruze received an update and price drops along with many other new extras such as a larger 1.6-liter turbocharged engine as standard on the SRi and SRi-V, replacing the 1.4-liter turbo.
Holden ended manufacturing of the Cruze at its Elizabeth plant on October 7, 2016, replaced by the Astra hatchback and a restyled version of the second-generation Cruze sedan, renamed to Astra Sedan.[109]
European specification variants of the Cruze are offered with 1.6- and 1.8-litre petrol engines, and 2.0-litre and (from 2012) 1.7-litre diesel engines. In mid-2011, with the arrival of the five-door hatchback variant, the 1.6-litre petrol engine received an upgrade from 113 bhp to 122 bhp. Exports from the South Korean factory began on February 24, 2009.[110][111]
Mexico became the first North American country to receive the car, going on sale for the 2010 model year in late 2009. Imported from South Korea, the Chevrolet Cruze in Mexico replaces both the Chevrolet Astra (last sold in 2008) and Optra as the compact offering there.[112][113]
The US and Canadian version of the Chevrolet Cruze entered limited production at Lordstown, Ohio, in July 2010 as a 2011 model, replacing the Chevrolet Cobalt.[114] Full production began September 8, 2010.[115] For these markets, the Cruze utilizes a more advanced Watts Z-link rear suspension from the Opel Astra (J).[116] Offered in LS, LT, LTZ and Eco trim levels,[117] both the 1.8-liter and the turbocharged 1.4-liter engines are offered, coupled with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.[117] With a starting price slightly higher than most compact competitors, the base model Cruze LS is equipped with the 1.8-liter gasoline engine and comes with air-conditioning and power locks, the higher-level LT and LTZ models is fitted with the 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine.[118][119]
Standard safety equipment includes electronic stability control and ten airbags, including side rear-seat and front knee airbags not fitted on models produced in the original South Korea facility.[122] The Cobalt's badge engineered twin, the Pontiac G5, has not been replaced by a Cruze-based equivalent, due to the Pontiac brand being phased out during 2010.[123] The Cruze was built on the production lines that were used to build the Cobalt and Pontiac G5 in Lordstown, Ohio.[124] Cobalt production ended in June 2010 and the Cruze started production in July 2010. GM has allocated three shifts to produce the Cruze and it arrived to dealers in September 2010, giving all dealers time to deplete their inventories of Cobalts.[125]
Changes to the North American-built Cruze for model year 2012 include the availability of the six-speed manual transmission for the 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, plus models not equipped with power front seats no longer have the front seat cushion tilt option.[126]
Starting with the 2014 model year, Chevrolet offered the Cruze with the clean diesel engine option for North America. With a starting price of $25,695, the Cruze diesel 2.0-liter Multijet engine got 44 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city, while producing 148 hp and 258 lbft, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.[127] The 2014 Chevy Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel, direct from the factory, will be rated for up to B20 (blend of 20% biodiesel / 80% regular diesel) biodiesel compatibility.[128]
The Cruze diesel was the first GM passenger car in the US equipped with a diesel engine in 28 years, however sales were weaker than expected with 2% of US models.[129]
For 2016, the first generation Cruze continued as a fleet and rental exclusive model in the United States, billed as Cruze Limited. The diesel model was discontinued, but a new chrome appearance package was offered.[130]
The car was launched and began production for South America in 2011.
