Earlier in March this year, HICOM-Chevrolet announced that the Cruze will be launched in Malaysia by July 2009, singing many praises to the car. And what a disappointment it was. It is now September and it looks like the Cruze have been delayed indefinitely. Certainly it is not doing anything to bolster Chevy's already brand image. Despite its low brand presence, there are still a small section of the local motoring public who were really keen on the car, and these group of "automotive mavens" were willing to look beyond the badge and recognise the Cruze's superior European tuned ride and handling characteristics - those in the niche European C-segment market who at the moment can only choose between a Peugeot 308 and a Ford Focus. But how many more of these people are willing to put their money on the Chevrolet brand when even HCSB themselves don't keep to their word on have been announced in the media earlier? If the delay is due to the impending NAP review, shouldn't there be a follow-up announcement explaning this to the public rather than laying low and expect the people to forget about it? Plus, NAP review was announced way back in end 2008. If the delay is due to NAP, surely most people would be reasonable enough to understand the reasons behind.
Down south in Singapore however, things are looking good. GM Overseas Distribution Corporation (Singapore) have just launched the Cruze there on Aug-18, along with a new 3S outlet in Ubi Road, Singapore. Since its first overeas launch (outside of Korea, where the car is sold under GM's Daewoo badge) in China in December 2008, 53,000 units of the Cruze have been sold. More than half of them were sold in China. Within 5 days of its launch in Singapore, GM managed to secure 100 orders for the car. Download the Singaporean Cruze here. Press release can also be obtained here.
Check out the German video below on the Cruze. Handling seems pretty neutral.
Related link :
Chevy Cruze - coming to Malaysia this July '09
Chevy Cruze and the Korean Stigma
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