Cruze: The next generation

By KALEA HALL

khall@vindy.com

Virginia DelBene loves her Chevrolet Cruze.

She currently drives a 2013 Cruze and is holding off on getting the new 2015 Cruze because she’s waiting for the next-generation model when it debuts.

“I am really happy. I plan on getting another one here [at Greenwood Chevrolet],” the 63-year-old Austintown resident said. “It’s made up the street, so why wouldn’t I? Keep our people working.”

On Sept. 26, the Lordstown-built Chevrolet Cruze 2015 models were shipped to dealers. Right here in the Cruze capital of America,

Mahoning Valley’s Chevy dealers either already have the 2015 Cruze in stock or they know the cars are in transit.

Either way, the dealers know their star car is going to sell.

“I think we already sold one or two [2015 Cruzes],” said Nick Amendola, new-car sales manager at Greenwood Chevrolet in Austintown. “[Customers] like the technology. They like the gas mileage. They like the style.”

The new Cruze comes with an exclusive technological enhancement: 4G LTE with Wi-Fi available.

Amendola explained this technology works with OnStar, and a customer receives three gigabytes for free and then additional gigabytes come with a cost. Up to seven

devices can be used at once with the new car technology.

In addition, the 2015 Cruze offers

Bluetooth wireless for access to

music, contacts and hand-free calls. Users also can stay connected with their 2015 Cruze through the myChevrolet and OnStar RemoteLink mobile applications, which allow drivers to remote-start their vehicles, check diagnostics and unlock doors, among other features.

Safety features on the Cruze include StabiliTrak® Electronic Stability Control System with Traction Control and 10 standard air bags.

“I researched a lot of cars before I put my kid in a car, and this is the safest,” Amendola said.

As far as the body goes, there is not a big change, but the front appears different from the 2014 model with a “prominent grille, refined front fascia and swept-back LED headlamps” on the 2015, according to Chevrolet’s website.

There are multiple options in the Cruze from the LS to the 1 LT to 2 LT and LTZ, which is top of the line.

There also are the Cruze Eco and Diesel models.

The Cruze offers 38 miles-per-gallon highway; Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway, and the Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel offers 46 mpg highway, according to the Chevy website.

At Greenwood, the 1 LT is the top seller in the Cruze line.

“A lot of people come in specifically for a Cruze,” Amendola said.

Buyers of the Cruze are both male and female in a wide age range, Amendola said.

Amendola has been working in car sales for 30 years. He has sold the Chevrolet Cavalier to the Cobalt and now the Cruze.

He recalls the first time he saw the Cruze. He came back and said, “I don’t get excited about vehicles, but this is gonna be a hit.”

And it has been for dealers including Greenwood, Diane Sauer Chevrolet of Warren, Sweeney in Boardman, Brittain Chevrolet in East Palestine, Stadium Super Store in Salem and Columbiana Cadillac-Buick-Chevrolet in Columbiana,

“The Cruze is No. 1, period,” said John Maze, general manager at Diane Sauer.

Maze said the dealership has some 2015s in stock and more on the way.

“They did some nice cosmetic changes,” Maze said. “I don’t see the Cruze slowing down.”

Anthony Garano, sales manager for Sweeney Chevrolet in Boardman, said there are some 2015 Cruzes at the dealership and more are on the way.

“It is going to do very well,” he said. “It is the top-selling vehicle here at Sweeney.”

Steve Stedman, general manager of Brittain Motors, said some of its Cruzes were in transit as of Tuesday.

“That is our No. 1 seller in cars,” Stedman said.