New compact to Cruze into Lordstown

Photo

Spy photos of a camoflauged vehicle seen in Europe, believed to be the new Chevrolet Cruze.

By HOLLY SCHOENSTEIN

Production is set to begin in mid-2010.

YOUNGSTOWN — General Motors Corp. said its newest entry into the compact car market, the Cruze, will be manufactured at the Lordstown plant.

Production of the Cruze is scheduled to begin mid-2010 for the 2011 model year, and it will go on sale at dealerships late summer or early fall 2010, said Nancy Libby, a GM spokeswoman.

“We thought the car represents an all-new compact entry, and we thought it deserves an all-new name,” Libby said Tuesday. “I don’t know the rationale behind it; it’s just derived from the word ‘cruise.’ It’s just a twist on that.”

Though there was no immediate confirmation that this is the so-called “mystery car” that will replace the Cobalt at the Lordstown GM facility, it appears to have many of the same characteristics, including a turbocharged 1.4-litre, four-cylinder engine and a Delta chassis. The engine would deliver between 120 and 140 horsepower and fuel efficiency of more than 40 mpg, sources told The Vindicator in June.

GM said the five-passenger Chevrolet Cruze will be 4.6 meters in length and will make its global debut at the Paris Motor Show in early October.

It will be built in locations throughout the globe, but company spokesmen declined to comment on the locations outside of Lordstown.

The Cruze will be available in European markets in spring 2009, followed by other markets, the company said. Company representatives said pricing information is not available at this time.

The new model is not to be confused with the Suzuki Ignis, a vehicle sold in Japan between 2001 and 2006, or the Holden Cruze, which was sold in Australia between 2001 and 2005. The new car is larger than either vehicle.

hschoenstein@vindy.com