Cruze | The Motor Report: Auto News And Reviews

HSV Cruze To Be Based On Aus-Built Model, No Diesel Planned

WHILE HSV HAS decided not to offer the turbocharged Vauxhall Insignia VXR in Australia and to discontinue the imported Astra VXR, development of a Cruze-based performance model is well underway.

HSV’s Managing Director Phil Harding confirmed on Monday that the Clayton-based company was investigating adding a performance-tuned Cruze to its line-up, although he declined to offer [...]

HSV Set To Launch LPG Model Early Next Year, Astra VXR & Insignia VXR Off The Cards

HOLDEN SPECIAL VEHICLES boss Phil Harding has confirmed that the Clayton-based company will be wheeling out a range of high-performance LPG-fuelled models early next year.

The gas-powered engine will be based on the current 6.2 litre LS3 V8, but will utilise advanced liquid propane injection (LPI) technology that allows more precise metering of the fuel.

Speaking [...]

Holden Cruze Safest Car Under $25,000: ANCAP

EDGING OUT its competitors in a close-fought battle, the 2009 Holden Cruze has been ranked by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program as the safest car under $25,000, with a score of 35.04.

The Ford Focus (34.46) and Fiesta (34.44), Mazda2 (34.33) and Hyundai i30 SLX (32.54) filled out the top five safest cars under $25,000 [...]

SA Premier Urges Holden To Build Electric Cruze At Elizabeth Plant

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PREMIER Mike Rann has called on Holden to build an electric version of the Cruze at its Elizabeth assembly plant.

Although he didn’t specify a desired timeframe, Rann said that such a move would strengthen the local car industry.
“Because the Cruze has the same architectural base as GM’s new Volt, it is technologically possible [...]

2009 Holden Cruze Gets Automatic Transmission Update

THE HOLDEN CRUZE has come in for its first update since its market debut last month.

Holden’s Kate Lonsdale told TMR that the update - which focuses on a running change in the automatic transmission - will ensure smoother shifts when the engine is cold or under hard acceleration.
“We’re always looking to improve our vehicles, and [...]

Holden Posts $70.2m Loss For 2008

PRESSURE FROM THE Global Financial Crisis, soaring petrol prices, a consumer shift away from large cars and a number of large, one-off expenses have all conspired to hit Holden squarely in the hip pocket.

Australia’s iconic automaker recorded a $70.2 million loss for 2008, thanks in large part to a whopping $76.8 million bill for various [...]

Holden To Take The Lead With New GM Global Hatchback

HOLDEN BOSS Mark Reuss has reportedly confirmed that the Australian automaker will design, develop and build a new small hatchback that will be sold in both Australian and foreign markets, but Holden spokesman Scott Whiffen was keeping things close to his chest when contacted by TMR.

We’ve known for some time now that the Australian-built hatchback [...]

2009 Holden Cruze First Test Drive

THE TIMES, as Bob Dylan sang, are most certainly a-changing - and nowhere in the automotive world right now is this truer than in America’s largest automaker, General Motors.

As bankruptcy looms and global market share falls (GM was recently overtaken by Toyota in the manufacturing stakes), the company has been shedding brands and cutting model [...]

2009 Holden Cruze To Be Priced From $20,990, On Sale In June

Holden’s latest import, the Cruze, is all set to go on sale here next month, with pricing to start at a very competitive $20,990 for the Cruze CD manual.

It’ll slot into Holden’s lineup where the dearly departed Astra used to sit, however it won’t directly replace it. That’s the job of the Australian-built Cruze hatch, [...]

2010 Holden Cruze Scores Five-Star ANCAP Rating

Holden has announced that its upcoming small car, the Korean-sourced Cruze, has passed the Australasian New Car Assesment Program’s rigorous tests with flying colours, earning itself a five-star rating in the process.

The 2009 Holden Cruze scored 35.04 points out of a possible 37 under ANCAP’s recently revised testing regime, with its high level of passive [...]

2009 Melbourne Motor Show: Holden Cruze

Holden has lifted the veil on its version of General Motors global small car offering, the Cruze. Previously shown as a Chevrolet and Daewoo, Australia’s own version stays true to the international design but scores a unique grille.

Set to replace the unloved Viva and sit below the European Astra, the Cruze - slightly larger than [...]

GM US ‘Restructure’ Plan To Impact On Holden

General Motors Corporation’s announced Restructuring Plan that has been presented to the US Federal Treasury contains some grim reading for GM’s global operations. GM has proposed cutting 47,000 jobs; 20,000 of these from its US operations (after having already cut tens of thousands of jobs there), the remainder from its global operations.

Certainly, Saab and Opel/Vauxhall, [...]