Confirmed: Australian-built Holden Cruze hatch to have unique skin!

[from oz]

Holden confirms new locally-built hatch will have different sheetmetal to Cruze

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS 19 May 2009
www.goauto.com.au

GM HOLDEN has confirmed that its Australian small-car line due to commence in the second half of 2010 will include the JG Cruze four-sedan launched this week – which will be sourced from South Korea in the interim – and a five-door hatchback version featuring different sheetmetal.

Holden is now concentrating on building the Cruze brand, foregoing crucial hatch sales volume in Australia’s biggest market segment with the lack of a C-segment (small) hatchback in its range until Australian production commences.

Imports of the South Korean-sourced JF Viva have ceased, while shipments of the AH Astra out of Europe have been suspended and are under review at Holden. Astra imports are unlikely to recommence in the face of a weak Australian dollar against the Euro, among other reasons.

Continued here

[Xenon]

Gee I wonder if the "5-door Cruze" is really going to be an locally built Astra?

[t-rex]

I doubt the 5-door Cruze will be an Astra. The first Lacetti Hatch/Optra5/Suzuki Reno had different styling from its sedan counterpart, so it seems logical Daewoo is developing a successor to that model, and that model will be the Cruze Hatchback.

[MonaroSS]

Have we seen the interior specs for Cruze yet? I'm wondering just how different is is from the VB Commodore for room...

[fp115]

Have we seen the interior specs for Cruze yet? I'm wondering just how different is is from the VB Commodore for room...

They have been up for well over 2 months now.

[Kamshaaft]

And a sigh of relief! The Cruze ain't exactly my cuppa. I would just ignore it, but IMHO it is a blemish upon Holden to feature a car with such styling. Why oh why can't they distance the better cars from the smaller imported half arsed cars? I'm not speaking sense, mind you, just the mind of another consumer.

[robsBU08]

I like the look of the Holden Cruze better then the Chevrolet version, that chrome grill looks nice.

[redTT]

I actually like the tougher cleaner look of the Cruze better than the Astra, the interior of the Cruze also seems to be better designed (looks and layout). The only thing that I dont like is the back end of the Cruze, looks too much like the Epica.

2010 ASTRA






2010 HOLDEN CRUZE

[MonaroSS]

They have been up for well over 2 months now.

I was actually being lazy and hoping someone may link to them or post them.

[ausrutherford]

Seems like a waste of money to me to have a competely different sheetmetal.

[Rick_VT]

I like the look of the Holden Cruze better then the Chevrolet version, that chrome grill looks nice.

I think the Chevy version looks more sporty than the Holdens, but its still a nice car, the interior looks great, be interesting how well it ages though.

[igor]

the stupidity continues ...
!!!!

just have one global mainstream brand (or at least one mainstream lineup) of cars !!! all these WASTED money on having 2 compacts one purposefully cheaper than the other .. and now adding a third (Holden) and fourth (Buick) ... !!!!! .. when will GM learn ...

Igor

[nadepalma]

Gee I wonder if the "5-door Cruze" is really going to be an locally built Astra?

I was thinking the same thing! It could certainly work.

[Timekeeper]

[QUOTE=from oz;1740300][SIZE="5"]......
Holden is now concentrating on building the Cruze brand, foregoing crucial hatch sales volume in Australia’s biggest market segment with the lack of a C-segment (small) hatchback in its range until Australian production commences. .................

I'm not sure, but it says "Cruze brand". Does that mean anything or just a way of saying a model lineup????

[Baz]

It'll just be the name plate. Trying to make it a well known name like astra, focus, corolla etc.