The Chevrolet Cruze is quite possibly the most anticipated car from Chevrolet this year, and is grabbing headlines in the Chinese automotive media quite frequently over the past few weeks.
In foreign markets, the Cruze is expected to replace the Daewoo Lacetti, which is usually badged as a Chevrolet for Euro markets, or Suzuki for the US market. However, it appears that in China the Chevrolet Cruze will sit below the Chevrolet Epica, but above the Chevrolet Aveo, and is unlikely to see service under the Buick brand, which will leave the Daewoo Lacetti badged as a Buick HRV in China. So, only a little complicated!
I saw this car I think whilst testing another car on a highway.
Cruze is the third-gen Lacetti(GM Daewoo J300); it is the new Lacetti, not its replacement.
Wrong. GM thought the Daewoo-based Lancetti was too poorly designed, thus, they are using the new, designed by OPEL, Delta II chassis for the new Cruze. It is not another Pinifarina/Daewoo collaborative design.
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It was sold as the Optra in Japan, and it failed miserably. What a horrible car. Who’d buy such a car when you can get a Daihatsu Materia for a similar price? It’s only ¥1m.
> they are using the new, designed by OPEL, Delta II chassis for the new Cruze. It is not another Pinifarina/Daewoo collaborative design.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Delta_platform
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“The new version of the Delta architecture, dubbed Delta II, is currently being prepared by GM-Daewoo.” -Wikipedia
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Delta II is a GM Daewoo chassis, Cruze is a GM Daewoo engineered and designed vehicle launching first in Korea in November this year, full 6 montsh before it shows up in Europe and full one year before US launch.
In that case, GM must be trying to hide the shame of using such inferior engineering. Per GM’s press release, they dare not mention the stigma of being associated with the previous Delta platforms designed by GM Daewoo. One wonders why control was passed to Opel instead.
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There’s no way the American/Korean compact cars will ever approach the level of quality and bang-for-the-buck that Japanese manufacturers can offer. No wonder the Chinese love to form JV to build Japanese cars. That’s why Corollas are all over the road, and the latest Corolla Premium is even coveted.
> Per GM’s press release, they dare not mention the stigma of being associated with the previous Delta platforms designed by GM Daewoo. One wonders why control was passed to Opel instead.
Nope. Delta-1 was developed by Opel. Delta-2 is developed by GM Daewoo. Delta-1 and Delta-2 have nothing to do with each other, as Delta-2 is much bigger, big enough to underpin 2012 Saab 9-3, a new minivan, and Chevy Volt which is heavy due to its large battery weight.
GM Car Platform
Gamma-2(Subcompact) : GM Daewoo
Delta-2(Compact) : GM Daewoo
Epsilon-2(Mid-size) : Opel
Zeta(Full-size RWD) : Holden