“If it is delayed a little bit, that’s better than bringing something out and not having it go properly,” said Erich Merkle, an auto industry analyst at Autoconomy.com. “Is the Cruze GM’s silver bullet? Definitely not, but it will probably enhance and boost sales over and above the Cobalt.”
Although the Cruze remains one of GM’s most important launches since emerging from bankruptcy, delaying the launch for three months shouldn’t hurt GM badly. There has only been one small car launch this year, the Kia Forte, and a three-month delay means the Cruze will still be out before the next-generation Ford Focus. Until the Cruze makes it to production, the Chevrolet Cobalt will continue to be manufactured.
GM announced the Cruze production delay one month after President Barack Obama visited the Cruze’s plant in Lordstown, Ohio. At the factory Obama applauded GM for creating an additional 1000 jobs by building the Cruze at Lordstown.
When the Cruze goes on sale in the third quarter of 2010, it will achieve an impressive fuel economy rating of 40 mpg -- better than anything in its class. As of right now, pricing for the Cruze is uncertain, but it should be right around the cost of the current Chevrolet Cobalt.
Source: The Detroit News