GM says Cruze coupe, US Commodore export under consideration

By Matt Brogan | March 11th, 2010

Following a recent online chat with members of the public, General Motors’ North America president, Mr Mark Reuss, and Director of Global Communications Technology, Mr Christopher Barger, revealed that GM is considering a two-door coupe version of its popular Cruze model.

Mr Reuss strongly suggested that a Cruze coupe may be in the pipeline, which would follow GM’s product offering history as well as the competitors’ offerings in the segment.

“Two-door Cruze is a nice idea, and it may show up in the global market” said Mr Reuss.

“As we have two-door (Chevrolet) Cobalts currently, we would naturally look at a Cruze two-door, but I believe our small car portfolio will be way beyond what it is now, so a two-door something still is needed.”

The US market also remains very interested in Australian-sourced ZETA platform-based rear-wheel drive sedans (Commodore and Statesman), with Mr Reuss saying such offerings could “quite possibly” show up again in the near future.

When asked if GM would be moving away from the production of larger trucks and SUVs, Mr Reuss responded with:

“GM was primarily a truck based portfolio in the past, we see that gas (petrol) prices are volatile at the least,

“We need to be a company that is agile and responsive from a capacity and sales standpoint. So, GM will provide in a fast way, the products that the market demands—quickly and with high quality and safety as we do today,

“So, that includes the vehicles that have a great duty cycle for work, play, and commuting efficiently and safety with a lot of fun and style.”

Mr Reuss also addressed questions concerning the recent dip in sales for the Cadillac brand, but showed confidence in a return to previous volumes in the not too distant future.

Golfschwein

That’s a flawless computer generated image and I can imagine that a Cruze Coupe that looks exactly like that will sell truck-loads.
http://FIAT colin

Not the original chop but a modified version of it found on motortrend forums done by mynameisj. Probably will look nothing like that
RdS

if they make a cruze coupe, theres only 2 additional things id like to see; a boot (not a hatch/liftback/fastback), and frameless windows.
really nice concept anyway!

toxic_horse

And RWD

Iz

If the Cruze two-door comes out as shown on the picture, I’d be seriously tempted. But of course, it needs a proper engine. A boosted version of the 1.8L, or a high-boost version of the 1.4 (kinda pushing it a little) maybe?

The thing is though, I’d prefer a liftback (and judging by the roofline, it’ll probs head that way if it were to be like the picture). A boot might make it look a little ungainly.
JEKYL & HYDE

from what i understand g.m. ran a styling compatition within it’s divisions on the cruze coupe,and that the winner was a REAL head turner.all it needs is a good motor now…
http://CarAdvice The Salesman

Oh great idea GM. You have had so much success in the past with Astra coupes and the Tigrea thingy.
Have you learnt nothing from your recent bankruptcy and re birth as the New GM?

Classic

You wouldn’t be worried about potential sales being taken of your beloved Kia Coupe, would you now Salesman. Funny how you thought it was a great move by Kia to do a coupe, but not for GM.

Mad Max

The Kia Koupe (or whatever its called) is a horrible thing to drive. Just read about it in todays Herald Sun here in Melbourne. I drove one last year and posted a comment on this site and got the usual bagging you get when you critisise andy Kia/Hyundai products. Good to see an independent authority like the HS agrees.

o

it would be helpful if the cruze was actually on sale in the USA instead of the ancient cobalt
Ezz

Reuss is quoted as saying “Two-door Cruze is a nice idea, and it may show up in the global market” and in regards to the Commodore / Statesman platform “such offerings could “quite possibly” show up again in the near future”.

The cynical part of me ‘thinks’ he doesn’t really know. Just telling the converted what they want to hear, it seems.

http://CarAdvice The Salesman

He’s not saying anything.

I like the first bit…..
“Following a recent online chat with members of the public, General Motors’ North America president, Mr Mark Reuss, and Director of Global Communications Technology, Mr Christopher Barger, revealed that GM is considering a two-door coupe version of its popular Cruze model.”
GM has turned into a version of who wants to be a millionaire. If you don’t know what direction to take you simply “Phone a friend”
Who were these members of the general public?
Since you are asking for ideas as what to do next why not also make a mini people mover sized version of the Cruise. Oh, and would you make a convertible as well?????

john

Hell why not go the whole hog and do a nascar version. They did it with the camry why not the cruze two door or just the four door.
Shak

Its pretty darn good looking. Would make a nice addition to the Holden line up. Let Holden make it so that GM dont have to over stress US plant capacities.
F1 Addict

Thats such a CLC look-alike.

Baddass

I was just thinking it looked a lot like the previous gen C-class Sportcoupe!

Layzbones

A coupe would make the line up interesting. But the Cruze still needs some work to be done on its bland American looks.
Student

I doubt this car will ever make to production althrough the they will almost definitely make the concept version of it just as they did with the Cadillac spin off Volt because the Coupe looked so good but will most likely then pull the plug because of some lously excuse or reason they think is not fit to put it into production just like the Cadillac Converj hybrid which many thought looked awesome and may have made it into europe in markets such as Russia and China
bosscr

I have a Cruze as a rental whilst my car is at the panel shop (courtesy of a learner driver). The Cruze looks good on the outside(not in the metallic baby blue mine is in), but has numerous flaws. I think GM should get the 4 door right before making a 2-door.

Shak

What do you see as the flaws? Im not asking to make a fool outta ya, but rather as a genuine enquiry. A lot of people seem to dislike the cruze for various reasons but i dont see reasons why.

Mike

I agree with SHAK, what do you see as the flaws. I have had a good look at this car inside and out and I think the interior is fantastic for the money they are asking for it. My wife loves it and it is on our shopping list. Agree the engine could do with a bit of boost but it is stil ample.

The Oracle’s Teacher

His comments are probably little more than brand bashing like so many others in here.The overall feedback on this car from buyers has been very positive. The only hiccup being the fuel line issue that has just surfaced. The petrol could do with a few more ponies but the diesel is an excellent engine. Also ,the comment about it being bland needs a little more explanation. I find the rear totally unoffensive and the front end verging on agressive.

I am considering the diesel version.

Baddass

“the comment about it being bland needs a little more explanation. I find the rear totally unoffensive…”

And there you have it. The car has to appeal to many markets of different tastes, and so is watered down in some aspects, but still retains some strange ones (tail-lights). I too find the front agressive and the interior nice for the money, but the Cruze is average at best. If I was in the market for a small car, I could not look past saving a few more k for a Golf. The whole package just has a quality feel that can’t be replicated, and the Koreans haven’t yet learnt. The soft materials in the interior, the well bolstered seats, little surprises like the bottle opener/cup holder seperator all add up to make a quality feel.

Rocket

A Cruze coupe? Please Explain why?
Valet Dabess

ugh, i’ll have the 4 door please
Andrew james

If something was in the pipeline, wouldnt the North American President of GM (Reuss) know. If he doesnt know, then he obviously doesnt have an idea what is going on, or it isnt in the pipeline. Reuss’s stay in Australia probably consisted of spending too much time, begging for tax payers money to cover up for poor management. He’s ability to tell porkers to a deficient Kim Carr, to subsidise the companies mismanagament, has done him well in the public arena. Fortunately Carr probably said to him, we can only subsidise your greed for a while. You have two options for your incompetance to continue, either we appoint Peter Garrat as Industry Minister (and its a free for all), or you return to the USA, and the Feds will give you 66 billion to spread your lies.
Anf

I dont think there is a market for it, normally coupes are sporty the cruze is simply not unless they boost the engine specs thats already in there at the moment, plus i dont see many guys driving it, its a cruze after all
BOSSCR

The car looks good and doesnt go too bad all things considered. The flaws i found were all interior related:

-Speedo incremenation too hard to read – why have the speedo go to 220kmh and have equal spacing between unreachable speeds (180km/h+) as the 70-80km/h which is where you really have to watch your speed.
-Steering wheel controls for cruise and audio difficult to use and should be on the opposite sides ie cruise on RHS and audio on LHS.
-B-pillar so big it creates a massive blind spot.
-Leg room length was fine (im 6’3″) but was too narrow. I found myself with a saw knee after it kept hitting the A/C Controls.
-Seats too hard.

I also went interstate this week and had a lancer. After driving both, the lancer is definately the better option.