During a live chat session last week on the GM FastLane blog, CEO Fritz Henderson answered questions from the media, analysts and customers. However, he was unable to answer every question due to time constraints – one that had to deal with GM’s most significant small car, the Chevrolet Cruze.

To make sure that Fritz provided his input on the Cruze, FastLane just posted a follow-up from the big boss at GM. Several questions were asked about GM’s small-car strategy, which has recently been making headlines.

“If you haven’t heard, next year we’ll roll out an all-new compact that will surprise most customers with its terrific fuel efficiency (approaching 40 mpg highway), appealing interior design and spacious five-passenger cabin,” said Fritz.

“This new car, our Chevrolet Cruze, will feature a small but very powerful 1.4 liter direct-injection turbo-charged gasoline engine (making 100-hp) in an attractive and affordable package. Now, we recognize that small-car buyers have long held Asian imports to be best-in-class in this segment, and we know that simply fielding a competitive car won’t cut it. That’s why we’re out to beat the competition. In fact, with fewer makes and models, every new GM car needs to be an absolute standout in its class. Early reaction to the exterior and interior design of the Cruze at the Paris Motor Show was very good. Take a look for yourself, and let us know what you think.”

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is expected to make its stateside debut in April 2010.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze:

- By: Omar Rana

Even though the ‘New GM’ will be forced to focus on producing fuel-efficient vehicles, it won’t abandon efforts to give its Corvette enthusiasts the much loved rear-wheel-drive, V8 power they have come to love.

“My wonderful baby is my 2005 Corvette coupe,” CEO Fritz Henderson said in his first online chat after filing GM’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. “We have more in store for the future and this iconic brand will retain its powerful place within the new GM.”

Nonetheless, GM’s plans to offer fuel-efficient vehicles puts some hope back into the future of American cars competing with Toyotas and Hondas. Henderson confirmed that a 4-cylinder turbo for the new 2010 Buick LaCrosse will be offered shortly after the start of production.

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse (which is the third most anticipated future GM vehicle according to you guys), will go on sale later this summer with a 255-hp 3.0L V6 and an optional 280-hp 3.6L V6. Henderson said that GM has plans to introduce a “performance 4-cylinder Ecotec” shortly after the 2010 LaCrosse enters production.

The Buick Invicta concept, which is the basis for the new LaCrosse, was powered by Buick’s first direct-injection turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 250-hp and 220 lb-ft of torque. It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

That 4-cylinder turbo is expected to compete with Ford’s line of EcoBoost V6 engines, which are offered as V8 alternatives. GM’s 1.4L turbo 4-cylinder salted for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is expected to be pillar of GM’s fuel-economy plans.

As for the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP (which I’m driving this week), Henderson simply said that the model will not live on as a Chevrolet or as an entry-level Cadillac. There is no room for the car in the Buick lineup as well.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Motor Trend

Michael Bay’s Transformers series gets the best of most of us nerds and auto enthusiasts. The thought of our cars turning into robots to save mankind is not only out of this world, but something only ‘geeks’ can imagine. GM will be offering a limited-edition 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Bumblebee Package, which we expect will go for a hefty price tag.

And what do you do when you don’t have the money to pay for an exclusive limited-edition Bumblebee Camaro? You build one for yourself. Take this huge Chevrolet Camaro and Bumblebee fan in China.

Story goes that he couldn’t afford the U.S. equivalent of $200,000 for a brand new Camaro in China and decided to buy the Chevrolet Cruze instead. He then ‘transformed’ his car into a ‘Bumblebee Cruze’ instead of the ‘Bumblebee Camaro.’

Brilliant. AutoBots… roll out.

Follow the jump for more pictures.

Chevrolet Cruze Transformers Bumblebee:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Camaro5

Holden’s chairman and managing director Mark Reuss has confirmed that GM’s Australian division is working on a new compact hatch for global markets. Reuss said that the hatch will be built alongside the Holden Cruze sedan at the company’s Elizabeth plant in South Australia in the third-quarter of 2010.

The Cruze-based hatch will be designed and engineered entirely in Europe. Sharing the same underpinning as the Cruze, the hatch will get steering and suspension input from Holden engineers for a more European feel. Styling cues are expected to come close to Holden’s flagship Commodore model.

It is said that the hatch will be positioned as a more upmarket model than the Cruze sedan when it hits showrooms.

Insiders say that Holden’s new hatch could get Opel’s new 140-hp 1.4L turbocharged engine. Holden’s energy and environment director Richard Marshall says that some engine options from the Cruze sedan that have “best-in-class” fuel-consumption could also be considered.

So now that you’re all excited about this new Holden hatchback, you’re probably wondering if it will ever come to the United States. So far, the answer to that question is – yes. But keep your fingers crossed because you never know with General Motors.

Apparently the car is being produced for global markets and chairman Reuss says that Holden has been “aggressively pursuing” a deal to replace the $1 billion U.S. Commodore, aka Pontiac G8, export program that was recently canned by GM.

2010 Holden Cruze:

- By: Omar Rana 

Source: Drive 

GM announced earlier this morning that it is key vehicle launch for 2009 and 2010 are on track. While eight brands may have sounded like a good idea at one time, GM will now focus on four core brands including Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Buick.

Those four brands will be responsible for the launch of eight new models starting this summer and through the end of 2010. If somewhere in your heart you still have love for GM products (and we’re not ashamed to say that we do), we’re wondering which of the new eight model you’re looking forward to the most.

The list includes the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, 2010 Buick LaCrosse, 2010 Cadillac SRX, 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, 2011 Chevrolet Volt and the 2010 GMC Terrain.

Have your say by casting your vote in the poll below.

Follow the jump to see the high-res image gallery of each model.

2010 Buick LaCrosse:

2010 Chevrolet Camaro:

2010 Chevrolet Cruze:

2010 Chevrolet Equinox:

2010 Chevrolet Volt:

2010 Cadillac SRX:

2010 Cadillac Sport Wagon:

2010 GMC Terrain:

- By: Kap Shah

In all of the statements released today by General Motors, the now bankrupt automaker said that its new products and technologies are on track. It said that that the New GM will continue with key vehicle launches in 2009 and 2010 including the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, 2010 Buick LaCrosse, 2010 Cadillac SRX and CTS Sport Wagon, the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, Cruze and Volt along with the 2010 GMC Terrain.

“Our products are our future, and our lineup of new cars and crossovers are a great foundation for success,” said CEO Fritz Henderson. “The New GM is here to stay, and our brands position us to compete well in profitable segments with vehicles that are second-to-none.”

GM said that it will launch the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid by the end of 2010 and expects to have 14 hybrid models in production by 2012. It said that 65 percent of its vehicles will be alternative-fuel capable by 2014.

“The New GM will become a long-term global leader in the development of fuel-efficient and advanced-technology vehicles,” said Henderson. “In doing so, the New GM will contribute to the development of advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities in the United States, which are critical to the future of the U.S. economy.”

- By: Kap Shah

Here are some of today’s random findings from the editor’s desk here at egmCarTech.

Is the 2010 Camaro’s popularity causing GM headaches? Apparently, the popularity of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is causing GM executives some headaches. There is no doubt that the return of the muscle car has generated a huge fan base. GM has taken 18,000 firm orders for the Camaro and has even added a Saturday shift to Oshawa, Ontario, plant where the car is built. Nonetheless, the Camaro is raising some serious questions in Washington about GM’s product development plans. – Financial Times

Saab confirms three bidders, confident it will get more time to restructure: Saab said today that it is certain that the Swedish courts will give it more time to restructure. It confirmed it has narrowed its list of ten bidders to three. It said that one of the potential remaining bidders will acquire the brand by early summer. – CNNMoney

Chevrolet Cruze Safety Car causes crash at FIA WTTC: During a race, safety cars are responsible to slow the pace of racers during a crash. However, at this weekend’s FIA WTTC race in Pau, France, the Chevrolet Cruze Safety Car was responsible for causing a crash; either way, it did slow down the pace of racers.

Click through to watch the video of the crash.

- By: Omar Rana

Out of its four remaining core-brands, GM CEO Fritz Henderson said that Chevrolet will become the groups most competitive and top-quality brand within the next two years. In an interview with AutoWeek, Fritz said that he’s feeling optimistic about the upcoming Chevrolet Spark, Cruze and the Orlando 7-seater – all due for a 2011 model year.

“I think that in the case of Chevrolet, we have the chance in the next year or two to really put the stake into it, with Cruze, with the Spark and with the next-generation [vehicles] available we’re working on,” Henderson told the publication. “I mean, we have a chance to fully flesh out the Chevrolet lineup.

Chevrolet is also launching a redesigned Equinox next month that will get 32 mpg and its much-touted Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid.

As for the Camaro, Henderson says that while the muscle car is great halo vehicle for Chevrolet, “it can also be a core model” since the V6 Chevy Camaro gets 29 mpg on the highway.

2010 Chevrolet Spark:

2010 Chevrolet Cruze:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoWeek

Following the new Holden Volt, GM also unveiled the 2010 Holden Cruze for the Australian market. The first of GM’s new wave of global products will arrive in Australia during the second quarter of 2009.

The 2011 Holden Cruze will be offered in two trim levels including a CD and CDX model. Both will be powered by a 1.8L 4-cylinder ECOTEC gasoline engine with a choice of a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission with Active Select. A 2.0L common rail turbocharged diesel will also be available as an option on the CD model.

Fuel economy figures and pricing will be released closer to launch. 

Food for thought: We’re just wondering why Australia gets the Cruze later this year while the North American market will have to wait until 2011.

2010 Holden Cruze:

Press Release:

CRUZE MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA FOR HOLDEN

 The all-new Holden Cruze made its Australian debut at the Melbourne International Motor Show today signalling the company’s latest entrant in the competitive small car segment.

Cruze is the first of General Motors’ new wave of global products and enters Australia’s small car segment equipped with striking road presence, advanced interior comfort and high levels of safety features.

Powered by a 1.8 litre 4-cylinder ECOTEC petrol engine or optional 2.0 litre 4-cylinder turbocharged common rail diesel engine, Cruze will go on sale in the second quarter of 2009.

GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mark Reuss said Cruze represented Holden’s commitment to the small car market and marked the beginning of a new era for the company.

“The small car market is the largest growing segment in the Australian market and this is our response to that change,” Reuss said.

“Cruze will play a significant role in Holden’s future and presents us with a new generation car, a new design and a new way of thinking.

“It is a world class small car that has the perfect blend of both style and substance, all from the base model to the top of the range.”

2009 HOLDEN CRUZE HIGHLIGHTS:

Drawing on GM best practices from around the world, Cruze was developed by a global design and engineering team.

Product line-up

The Cruze line-up will include CD and CDX models, both powered by a 1.8 litre 4 cylinder ECOTEC petrol engine with the choice of a five speed manual transmission or six speed automatic transmission with Active Select.

A 2.0 litre common rail turbocharged diesel engine will be available as an option on the CD model and will form part of the Holden EcoLine range.

The choice of powertrains ensures fuel efficiency and excellent performance all with the ride and handling ability of a true Holden to ensure it feels as good as it looks.

Exterior styling

With a wide track, long wheelbase and its wheels located at the outer edges of its body, the Holden Cruze sedan’s ‘four-door coupe’ styling delivers the presence of an upscale mid-size sedan.

State of the art manufacturing processes ensures gaps are minimised and margins in the exterior design deliver high levels of quality, fit and finish.

Cruze has been designed to appeal to drivers who value sophisticated design combined with sporty good looks.

Interior comfort

Inside, Cruze boasts one of the most advanced interiors of any small car on the market offering exceptional quality and functionality, while delivering sportiness and luxurious comfort.

Stylish and spacious, the Cruze interior offers exceptional fit and finish and comfort with contoured sport seats and a dual cockpit design which houses an advanced integrated centre panel with graphic information display and CD with MP3 “plug and play” functionality.

An integrated centre stack houses the infotainment display, radio and HVAC controls resulting in a fresh and contemporary look.

With generous rear passenger leg, head and shoulder room this small car comfortably sits five adults, and when combined with one of the largest range of standard features from the base model customers do not need to compromise on large car features.

Storage, functionality and convenience applications found on the new Cruze are plentiful with 60/40 split rear seats, seatback pockets, a centre console CD storage, a shopping bag hook and six cup holders.

Safety

Safety was an overriding objective in the development of Cruze. Significant advancements in structural strength and a full offering of active and passive safety systems should combine to make the all-new Holden Cruze among the safest in its class.

The Cruze’s stiff structure helps to minimise noise and vibration as well as assuring a good crash safety performance and optimal ride and handling properties.

With an impressive level of standard safety features across the range including:

    – Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
    – Traction Control (TC)
    – Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
    – Brake Assist (BA)
    – Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
    – Six airbags including driver, front passenger, front side and curtain airbags
    – Seatbelt retractor and lap pretensioners with seatbelt load limiters
    – Sixty-five percent of the structure is high-strength steel

Holden Cruze CD Feature Highlights:

    – 1.8 litre 4-cylinder ECOTEC petrol engine or optional 2.0 litre 4-cylinder turbocharged common rail diesel engine
    – 5-speed manual transmission or optional 6-speed automatic transmission with Active Select
    – 16 inch steel wheels
    – Body coloured door handles and mirrors
    – Electronic Stability Control (ESC) incorporating:
          o Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
          o Traction Control (TC)
          o Brake Assist (BA)
          o Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
    – 6 airbags including:
          o Front airbags for driver and front passenger
          o Front side impact airbags
          o Side curtain airbags
    – Automatic headlamps
    – 6 speaker audio system with MP3 compatible in dash CD, radio and MP3 “plug & play” functionality with graphic information display
    – Air conditioning
    – Steering wheel audio controls
    – Cruise control
    – Trip computer
    – Power windows, front and rear

Holden Cruze CDX – includes all CD specific feature highlights, plus:

    – 1.8 litre 4-cylinder ECOTEC petrol engine
    – 5-speed manual transmission or optional 6-speed automatic transmission with Active Select
    – 17 inch alloy wheels (4)
    – Front fog lamps
    – Leather steering wheel
    – Leather appointed seats
    – Heated front seats
    – Rear park assist

Full specifications, fuel economy figures and pricing will be released closer to launch.

General Motors announced today that it will not build a new factory to produce engines for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and Chevrolet Cruze. Instead, the Detroit automaker said it will build the 1.4L 4-cylinder Family 0 engine at its existing Flint South Engine Plant.

GM said it will invest a total of $250 million to setup the Flint South plant to make the engine for the two Chevy models. Preparations for the installation of new machinery and equipment will begin this Spring. The move will save the General about $120 million over building a brand new factory.

The new engine will power the much-anticipated 2011 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid after battery power is depleted. The engine will also power the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze helping it average 40 mpg on the highway.

GM said that production of the 1.4L 4-cylinder engines will begin in December 2010.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

2011 Chevrolet Cruze:

General Motors confirmed today that it will be extending the delay of the construction of its 4-clyinder engine plant in Flint, Mich. The plant will be responsible for building the 1.4L engines that will be used in the Chevrolet Cruze and the Chevrolet Volt.

No specific details were provided for the reason of the delay this time. Last month, GM suspended production until a review of its first quarter financials. GM says that even with the delay, the plant should be done in time for the production of the Cruze at the Lordstown, Ohio, plant and the Volt at the Hamtramck plant in Detroit.

The 1.4L 4-cylinder engine in the Chevrolet Cruze will be turbocharged producing a total of 100-hp. The Chevrolet Cruze will get a non-turbocharged 1.4L 4-cylinder. GM says that the engine will also find its way under two other U.S. models by 2011.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

2011 Chevrolet Cruze:

Source: AutoObserver

Holden, GM’s main brand in Australia, has confirmed that it will be building a compact 4-cylinder car as a response to the changing buyer behavior. Holden will take advantage of the government’s $6 billion car plan to produce new Chevrolet Cruze based small car at its Holden’s Elizabeth plant in Adelaide alongside the Commodore.

Holden says that the 4-cylinder engine and an optional diesel will use 20 percent less fuel than the brand’s V6 powered Commodore. The Australian brand says that it will also have a hybrid system for the car later down the road.

Holden’s version of the Chevrolet Cruze will create more than 1,000 jobs when production kicks off in the fourth-quarter.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze:

Source: Drive

In an effort to conserve cash, General Motors said that it is putting the brakes on the construction if its Flint, Mich. plant. The $370 million facility plant will be responsible for making the 1.4L 4-cylinder engine that will be used for two of GM’s most important new vehicles – the Chevrolet Volt and Cruze.

However, spokeswoman Sharon Basel said that development of the Volt and Cruze will continue as scheduled. She said that GM still plans to bring both products to showrooms in 2010 and that the delay is only temporary until GM figures out its financials.

“Everything that involves heavy cash outlays obviously is under review,” Basel said Wednesday. “Our intent is to still go forward with a new facility bringing that engine to Flint, Mich.”

GM is looking for up to $18 billion in government loans in an attempt to survive the worst U.S. auto crisis in 26 years. It said that it may bot be able to pay its bills after the first-quarter without government assistance.

A turbocharged version of the 1.4L 4-cylinder engine will give the Chevrolet Cruze 100-hp allowing it to return a fuel-economy of close to 40 mpg. A non-turbocharged version of the engine will give the Volt additional power to generate enough electricity to keep running after it completes its 40 miles on battery power alone.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

2011 Chevrolet Cruze:

Source: MSNBC

The Chevrolet Cruze is one of the most anticipated compact cars by GM in years. While a pinch in GM’s cash flow has delayed the launch of the U.S. model to 2011 (originally scheduled for April 2010), the European debut of the Cruze is on track for April and May of 2009.

The Chevrolet Cruze fits into the brand’s lower-medium segment, which accounts for 21.3 percent of the European automotive market making it the second-largest segment after small cars. According to Chevrolet’s Europe Executive Director Wayne Brannon, Chevy hopes to sell 20,000 to 25,000 units of the Cruze in Europe.

Brannon said that this is the first of the new-generation of Chevrolets that have a more premium look and appeal, reports Automotive News Europe.

The Europeans will get the Cruze with a lineup of 4-cylinder engines ranging from 112-hp, 140-hp and a 150-hp 2.0L turbo diesel. All models will be offered with a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze:

We saw a preview of the Chevrolet WTCC Cruze in October and now the car is making its debut across the world – ready take part in Brazil at the opening round of the 2009 WTCC in Curitiba. In 2009, the WTCC Cruze will again visit twelve tracks, in South and Central-America.

Power comes from a 2.0L gasoline engine, the WTCC Cruze will succeed the Lacetti that won its two outings for Chevrolet in Macau.

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze will go on sale in the UK during the first half of 2009 and will arrive in the U.S. in late 2010 with a 100-hp 1.4L 4-cylinder Turbo engine. But we’ll wait until the congressional hearings are down to get our hopes up for that.

Click through for more pictures.

Chevrolet WTCC Cruve Race Car:

While the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid was suitable for the long journey from Detroit to D.C., GM CEO Rick Wagoner is not giving up the chance to show off the company’s progress being made on the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. According to Automotive News, Wagoner will make an obvious attempt to impress lawmakers tomorrow morning by driving from his hotel to the Senate in one of the Volt prototypes.

As our favorite GM executive Bob Lutz recently announced, the Volt prototypes are now using vehicles from the next-generation global compact car architecture seen on the Chevrolet Cruze.

The Volt will be one of the highlights during Wagoner’s presentation to senators according to a GM spokesman.

In the past couple of days when you’ve seen the name ‘GM’ in the news it’s been about the automaker’s financial troubles, government loans or Congress criticizing CEO Rick Wagoner. Well Bob Lutz is making an attempt to move media attention away from all that negative press to the Chevy Volt and its “next phase.”

GM moved the Volt test mules that previously used old Malibu bodies to test vehicles using vehicles from the next-generation global compact car architecture – the Chevrolet Cruze. After taking a test drive at the company’s Milford Proving Grounds, Lutz said that the Volt is making “great progress.”

Lutz ended putting up 30 miles on the Volt-Cruze test mule and said that he couldn’t be more please with the vehicle.

“As for the powertrain and propulsion system, I couldn’t be more pleased. It was 30 degrees and windy and flurrying,” writes Lutz at GM’s FastLane Blog. “We started with about a 60-percent charge on the battery pack, to see how it would perform and when the engine would kick on.”

Lutz said he travelled about 19 miles before the engine engaged and that it was so quiet that his engineers had to tell him when the engine had come on. Either way, we wish GM the best of luck with the Volt and hope to see it on the roads very soon.

Source: GM FastLane Blog

While GM may be planning on cutting costs with job cuts and plant closings before it runs out of cash by mid-2009, it has no plans to stop introducing vehicles. The General said that it is still planning to reveal about 15 vehicles in the U.S. alone within the next two years – most notably the Chevrolet Volt.

Speaking of the Chevrolet Volt, GM said it will increase investment for the launch of the plug-in hybrid which will hit markets by Nov. 2010. Still on their way are the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, SRX crossover and the Cadillac CTS Coupe. The CTS Coupe and the 2010 Buick LaCrosse were supposed to make their debut at the 2008 LA Auto Show later this month but have been delayed. GM did not say whether the two will make their debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show in January.

The Chevrolet Camaro will still be available for delivery early 2009 followed by the Equinox crossover in late-2009 with the Cruze delayed until late 2010. Saab’s 9-4X crossover is also on its way in 2010.

2010 Cadillac SRX:

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept:

2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon:

2010 Chevrolet Camaro:

2011 Chevrolet Cruze: