CHEVROLET CRUZE IN OCT-DEC 2009
The 2009 Chevrolet Cruze will be built at Chevy’s Talegaon plant in Maharashtra and is expected to hit the Indian market only by October-December 2009 or in the start of 2010. The Chevrolet Cruze will sport 15-inch wheels and a 2.0-liter diesel engine. However, the petrol variant will sport a 1.8 liter variable valve timing unit, and produce 130 HP. (The UK version of the Cruze offers 138 bhp – maybe the Indian one would too. but we are certianly not sure.)
The 2.0 liter diesel engine is likely going to be a 147 bhp beast. Even the Chevrolet Cruze’s 138 bhp petrol one would be a good match for the 138 bhp Civic in India. The car is more romier and spacious with a large glovebox, big door bins, and excellent centre console storage. The car comes with a unique one-of-its-kind dual cockpit treatment.
Mr.Karl Slym, President and Managing Director of General Motors India Private Limited, also mentioned that the company has already set up three new service stations and is intending to expand to 10-15 more by the end of 2009. This has been possible because of the company’s collaboration with state-owned Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL). The plan is to set up Chevrolet service stations across the PSU’s petrol and diesel retail outlets. Talking about the tie-up, Karl Slym said,”Reason for tieing up is the high-end customer service offered through its ‘V-Care’ initiative and the need to set up quick service stations, which do not require customers to leave their vehicles at the stations.
General Motors recently launched its all new Chevrolet Cruze in the Korean market but we still have to wait for long till the fourth quarter of 2009 for the Cruze. The Chevrolet Cruze will be rolled out from the company’s Halol plant.The Chevrolet Cruze is expected to compete with the likes of Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla in the D segment, in the Indian market. Sources at GM are citing the company’s current cash struggles as a factor that will end up delaying it until the last quarter of 2009 or even in early 2010. A multinational team at GM DAT in Korea is responsible for the Chevrolet Cruze’s exteriors and interiors of the car. The Chevrolet Cruze is the first car from GM to be based on its new, global Delta platform.
The car was scheduled to go on sale in North America by mid 2010 as a replacement for the Chevrolet Cobalt, however Chevrolet’s European division has confirmed that the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze’s debut in the European market will remain as per schedule. The 2009 Chevrolet Cruze is expected to make its European debut in April 2009. The company expects to sell about 20,000 to 25,000 units in first year after its launch. While sales figures are important for the midsized Cruze, another important factor is recognition of Chevy brand by European markets as a whole, in order to help it achieve the success that Ford has had there.
Sources at GM say that the European market Chevrolet Cruze will be built in GM’s Daewoo plant in South Korea and then exported to the European market, while the North American and Russian models will be built locally. As Ford’s small and economical cars have proven a hit in Europe and despite the global financial meltdown, Ford (Europe) is expected to be profitable both this year and next year. GM is soon to set up a new powertrain facility at Talegaon and will be investing US$210 million for the same. Initially, the annual capacity of the plant will be 1,60,000 units.
The plant will manufacture 1-1.5 litre petrol and diesel engines at the plant. The car is said to be roomy and spacious with a large glovebox, big door bins, and excellent centre console storage. Like the Opel Insignia, the switchgear, steering wheel, stalks and headlamps of the Chevrolet Cruze give it a stylish look. The audio and climate control layout is also impressive. Considering that the Chevrolet Cruze is positioned against the popular Honda Civic and Corolla Altis in India.
The Cruze looks like more like the Chevrolet Optra Magnum diesel which we have in India. The driver’s cockpit is actually better than the Civic’s! That should be something to watch out for. The car comes with a unique one-of-its-kind dual cockpit treatment . A multinational team at GM DAT in Korea is responsible for the Chevrolet Cruze’s exteriors and interiors of the car. The Chevrolet Cruze is the first car from GM to be based on its new, global Delta platform.
Estimated price: Rs 11.5-13 lakhs.
Specs (Speculated)
Engine location: Front
Positioning: Transverse
Drive: Front wheel drive
Engine:1.6l, 1.8l (petrol); 2.0l (diesel)
Chevrolet Cruze coming in Mid 2009 – Carwale – CLICK HERE
GM to launch Chevy Chevrolet Cruze – CLICK HERE
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