This contrasted with Suzuki's approach with the Ignis marketed as a conventional passenger model. Chevrolet pursued a marketing strategy that positioned the high-riding Cruze as a light-duty sport utility vehicle (SUV). The production Cruze had standard front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional. From 2002 through to 2006 this generation of Cruze was sold in Australia (as Holden) and New Zealand (as Chevrolet). Manufactured by Suzuki in Japan, GM revealed the production Chevrolet Cruze in October 2001, with Japanese sales commencing the following month. The Cruze came either with a 1.3- or 1.5-liter engine coupled to either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions. Along with the styling, Holden executed most of the engineering work and were responsible for devising the 'Cruze' nameplate. Despite the Chevrolet branding, the YGM1, like the production car, was the work of GM's Australian arm, Holden. Announced as the Chevrolet YGM1 concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1999, the original Cruze was derived from the subcompact Suzuki Ignis five-door hatchback (known as the Suzuki Swift in Japan). Previously, the nameplate has been used for a version of a subcompact hatchback car produced under a joint venture with Suzuki from 2001 to 2007, and was based on the Suzuki Ignis.īefore the release of the global Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan in 2008, General Motors made use of the name 'Cruze' between 20 in Japan, Australia (as Holden Cruze), and New Zealand. It was replaced by the Monza in China, which is known as the Cavalier in Mexico. Production continued in Argentina until 2023. In the United States and Mexico, production ended in 2019, while production in China ended in 2020. Production of the Cruze in South Korea ended in 2018 as part of restructuring of GM Korea, which in turn ceased supply of the Holden Astra Sedan to Australasia. In 2016, the Cruze sedan was restyled and renamed for the Australasian market as the Holden Astra Sedan, as a sedan complement to the Holden Astra family.ĭue to the market shift towards SUVs and decreasing sales, the Cruze has been gradually phased out. In Australasia, the model was sold between 20 as the Holden Cruze. The Cruze was released in 2008 for the South Korean market as the Daewoo Lacetti Premiere until the phasing out of the Daewoo brand in 2011, when it was renamed to Chevrolet Cruze. During its introduction, the Cruze replaces several compact models, including the Chevrolet Optra which was sold internationally under various names, the Chevrolet Cobalt sold exclusively in North America, and the Australasian-market Holden Astra. It was designated as a globally developed, designed, and manufactured four-door compact sedan, complemented by a five-door hatchback body variant from 2011, and a station wagon in 2012. The Chevrolet Cruze is a compact car that has been produced by General Motors since 2008. Chevrolet Monza/Cavalier (China and Mexico).

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