Hatchback Cruze for Europe but not USA!
 

...CNET blurb about upcoming Paris Car Show:

Chevy to launch Cruze hatchback at Paris show | The Car Tech blog - CNET Reviews

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim//20..._2_270x182.jpg

...wonder how much better/worse its' CdA will become?

If only they had gone with a full Kammback like Honda has been doing.


Btw, here's a side-by-side of two platform mates.
http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim//20..._3_270x150.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/...fe64c95b02.jpg

Thats pretty much to be expected for the American market. Statistically Americans hate hot hatches, but Europeans love them.

I do like the look, but I think I'm still sold on the Mazda 2. Shares a bit of the Ford Fiesta, cost less, has a smaller motor and is mated better with its 5-speed than the Fiesta. And even at .1 liter/20hp less, the Mazda 2 is faster than the Ford.

I can't wait to see the comparisions between the Fit/Fiesta/Two/Cruze.

Why is GM making 2 identically sized hatches ?

http://www.cardealermagazine.co.uk/p..._1-300x200.jpg

Because competing against yourself is so much fun!

GM still don't get that people can tell two near-identical cars as being near-identical. Just look at the Geo Metro/Suzuki Swift/Suzuki Cultus/Holden Barina/Pontiac Firefly/Chevrolet Swift/Chevrolet Sprint/Subaru Justy in the '90s.
Sure, those weren't all sold in one market, but it's the perfect example of GMs multi-branding fetish.

...because GM can also mean 'Government Minded'

And at the same time as spending money developing those, they already had identical hatches on sale in Europe.

http://www.autoplenum.de/Bilder/P/p0...1998-1998-.jpg

http://www.atozautolights.com/images...s/GEME9597.jpg

I suspect it is actually because the Cruze is a Daewoo which is sold in competition to European Vauxhall / Opel. Not very good competition mind, nobody would choose an Aveo over a Corsa.

OOH! 3 spoke wheels! I want them! Also, the Geo in the second picture is wearing plastic wheel covers in Honda Accord alloy style:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/...d806939369.jpg

The 'free spokes' were a tradition at EuroGM Towers. Meet the Corsa's older brother.

http://www.totalvauxhall.co.uk/resou...ELLOWNOVA2.JPG

cruze uses the last gen astra floorpan and running gear :)