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Hatchback Cruze comes to North America
By Kalea Hall
LORDSTOWN
Area dealers like the idea of a hatchback version of the Chevrolet Cruze hitting their sales floors.
General Motors confirmed the hatchback style will come to North America – the version already has been for sale in other markets.
“I am excited with anything they do with the Cruze,” said Barry Gonis, general manager at Spitzer Chevrolet in North Jackson. “We have always done well with hatchbacks.”
Details about where the hatchback will be made and when the vehicle will hit North American dealers have not been released.
The best-selling Chevrolet Cruze sedan version is built at the GM Lordstown Assembly Complex where more than 4,000 are employed.
“We would obviously love to have it,” said Glenn Johnson, president of the United Auto Workers Local 1112.
Robert Morales, president of the UAW Local 1714, said Lordstown would welcome another product.
“Our membership would be accepting of the challenge to build two great quality vehicles,” Morales said.
Don Brady, general manager of Columbiana Cadillac Buick Chevrolet, thinks customers still look for the hatchback style.
“It’s a different-looking car,” Brady said. “It will certainly help people who want to have extra things that a trunk cannot [hold].”
Eric Lyman, vice president of industry insights for TrueCar, thinks the decision to bring the hatchback Cruze to North America makes a lot of sense for marketing and selling purposes.
“You can market the Cruze family,” Lyman said.
The hatchbacks “appeal to very distinct, different buyers,” he said.
Lyman believes there’s a market here for the style of vehicle. It fits a demographic of people with a more active outdoor lifestyle.
Lyman noted the Mazda 3 and Ford Focus hatchback version both have done well here.
“I do think there is an opportunity there,” Lyman said.