First Chevy Cruze rolls off production line

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The Chevrolet Cruze is Chevrolet’s upcoming compact sedan that is set to be one of GM’s world cars, and will see production in several parts of the globe in 2009. SAIC-GM are starting the production of the Cruze in SAIC-GM’s Shenyang factory, with the first fully assembled test model rolling off the line yesterday, it looks the Shenyang facillity is getting ready to ramp up production way beyond a single car. GM showed off the first production Cruze yesterday, with reportedly many GM management on sight to celebrate the first models production. Work on GM’s Shenyang factory began in 2005, and was completed within 3 years, the factories main focus is on higher quality, and ‘green production’, the factory lies on 136,000 sq meteres of land, and 26.7 billion RMB has been invested in its construction, making it one of the largest GM factories in China, with a production capacity of 150,000 cars per year.

The Chevrolet Cruze is expected to be formally put into production in the second quarter of 2009, and be on the market shortly afterwards.

CCT is not entirely sure what engine the Chinese made Chevy Cruze will come with, the North American markets are expected to recieve a 1.4 turbo engine, European models are set to receive a 1.6l, and 1.8l gasoline engines, as well as a 2.0l diesel engine. CCT can guess that China will follow with the European 1.6l and 1.8l models to rival the Ford Focus, but a 1.4 Turbo model would be interesting as well.