NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Holden's last Cruze
General Motors confirms midlife facelift for – and final Australian-built version of – its global small carChevrolet has announced it will stage the world debut of an “updated” Cruze at next week’s New York motor show -- and our sources have confirmed it will be the final iteration built by Holden in Australia.
Due on sale globally later this year, including in Australia, the upgraded Cruze will be produced alongside the Commodore line-up until both cars are discontinued when Holden’s Adelaide plant closes in 2017.
After that, the Cruze will be succeeded by a new global model possibly imported from Thailand, following the scale-back of Cruze production and development in Korea.
Meantime, the Commodore -- Australia’s most popular car for 15 years running -- will be replaced by a new global front-wheel drive four-cylinder model that could be imported from China.
The first example of the next-generation Cruze – development of which was delayed, postponing its planned northern hemisphere release this year -- was spotted undisguised in China last week, although Holden has confirmed that model is a China-only vehicle not destined for Australia.
European versions of our next all-new Cruze were also spied on video and lapping the Nurburgring.
However, at least for Australia and North America, the current Cruze – launched here in May 2009 – will now undergo a belated midlife makeover that will tide it over for the next three years.
The refreshed Cruze, which may not bring any major mechanical upgrades, is expected to appear in sedan form in the Big Apple next week, with an updated five-door hatch to follow, also as an MY2015 model.
Motoring.com.au has been told that Holden had hoped to produce a localised version of the Cruze from the outset, as previewed by the sketch it released when local manufacturing was announced in late 2008 (pictured).
It’s believed that when GM did not approve that, a similar plan was floated for this major upgrade – which will include sheetmetal and plastic forward of the A-pillars – but that too has been kyboshed in favour of the US design to be shown next week.
Holden already appears to be running out the current Cruze, offering the entry-level Equipe for $19,990 drive-away and $1500 factory bonuses on upstream SRi and CDX models.
Expect a sub-$20,000 (plus on-road costs) starting price to continue with the MY15 Cruze as Holden attempts to maintain its relevance in Australia’s largest sales segment against formidable newer rivals like the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30 and Volkswagen Golf.
Likely to be supporting it in the booming small-car segment is the born-again Opel Astra, sedan and hatch versions of which are expected to be reintroduced soon with Holden badges, positioned as slightly pricier, more upmarket alternatives.
An all-new Astra is due for release in 2016, developed by Opel in Europe and based on the redesigned Cruze.
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