Initial reports of a diesel version of the Chevy Cruze coming to the US market cited GM management sources who apparently told workers at the Cruze’s Lordstown, OH assembly plant they would begin building the diesel-powered Cruze for the 2013 model-year. But GM spokesfolks tell the Youngstown Vindicator.
GM has some of the most capable engineers in the world and very capable engineering in Europe. If and when the time comes, there is no doubt GM will be able to produce a diesel engine in America,
The implication being that a diesel Cruze is not imminent… but that doesn’t mean it will never happen. Local UAW boss Dave Green clarifies
I did see the report. I read where we may be getting some diesel-powered Cruzes, but we have not gotten word of that from our corporate offices
So… call the diesel Cruze a big maybe. At some point. Perhaps Chevy is waiting for the Cruze five-door to come online before making an all-out bid for America’s “Mr Euro” market with a diesel hatchback.
It sounds like a VW Beetle with a dropped valve.
GM and others are missing a market here that will bring new sales. Comparing models with gas / diesel versions the take rate is about 50% (gas / diesel sales) across the board. Diesel engines are commanding premiums here b/c automakers can charger higher margins on these due to the lack of competition.
There are five E90s in my parking lot, and I can’t remember the last time I saw a 335d. Is BMW really selling over 30,000 335d’s a year? When they E90 first came out, I saw mostly 335i models. More recently, 328i models are the common ones and most of the 335i cars aren’t being used as daily drivers anymore. Overall, E90s are still one of the most common cars in coastal San Diego. I still don’t see any 335d badges, and I do see Jetta Wagon TDis almost daily.
The reason some diesels do sell in decent numbers could be down to lack of choice. There are people who diesels actually suit, and there are people who believe diesels serve some higher purpose. If they had more choices, they wouldn’t have to settle for German cars, but the end result might just be that nobody ends up selling enough diesels to recoup certification costs. That is why the diesel marketers here already have such limited engine selections.
I don’t know that GM is really passing up much of a market. Ever since diesel fuel went up in price vs. gasoline in the US, the value of running a diesel car has gone the wrong way. The lower cost in fuel used to make up for the higher servicing costs. Additionally, with the higher cost of the diesel hardware, this would push a diesel Cruze into a higher price bracket. Unless gasoline really skyrockets and diesel stays at or below gasoline’s price in the US, I really think a diesel Cruze is a hard sell.
Now a diesel Malibu, might be a different story…
I think the 335d take rate to the standard 3 series is much lower (~ 10%) – where the take rate is at or above 50% is in the Jetta and 30% with the Toureg, A3, Q7 and about 20% with the GL and x5. All these models gas versions so it has competition from that angle.
I think you’re wrong about the Corvette being a money loser. If you look at the more entry level technology in the Corvette (which is the majority sold) the engines, transmission, suspension, certain electronic goodies are shared by Cadillac, GMC, Holden, and Vauxhall. The abomination of the steering wheel is standard issue GM, as is a wide range of number interior bits. How much does it REALLY cost to make fiberglass???
Sure the ZR1 is a beast and an exercise in supercar engineering but hello, at the end of the day the LSA is a derivative LS series engine with a supercharger. It is PUSHROD for heaven sakes. The Tremec TR-6060 manual is off the shelf technology shared by the big three.
Never mind the licensing deals for the Corvette brand, and the millions upon millions the clothing, pictures, posters, videos, accessories, models, toy cars, video game licensing, co-branding, rake in like free money from the sky. I would think the Corvette is rather profitable when you look at the big picture, and consider that many of the parts are actually shared across other GM divisions and vehicles, and many other parts are simply off the shelf.
HoldenSSVSE,
You make a great argument for having a loss leader and where were you when Ford cancelled the Ford GT, Honda the NSX, Dodge the Viper, Toyota the Supra, Mazda the RX7, Mitsu the 3000GT or Nissan the 300ZX and what were they thinking? I’m sure Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti also make a killing off of jackets, toys, posters and licensing rights but they still had to get rescued by VW and Fiat.
Good numbers jaje. I think there’s a perception of higher value with those German marques than a Chevy in the US market. For the sake of discussion (I’m guessing at prices here), but if a top of the line Cruze LTZ is $25K, with the added hardware costs for diesel would a Cruze LTZ Diesel be $27K? The reason why I chose the high line model is because I think the price resistance at the lower trim levels would be substantial. But even with all of the stuff you get in the LTZ model, the price is squarely in Malibu 2LT (midlevel) or even 1LTZ (low top level) territory. With a 1LTZ Malibu (4 cyl. 6 speed) capable of getting 33 MPG EPA (freeway), is the mileage differential of the diesel Cruze enough vs. the larger Malibu?
I don’t think so. I wouldn’t buy it. Of course no pricing has been announced, but I’ve got to believe the diesel model would have to be priced underneath the top line LTZ gasoline Cruze. It’s going to have to be an outstanding value. I just don’t see it happening. Chevy already has one loss leader (Volt), I can’t imagine it could sustain another.
Chevy already has one loss leader (Volt), I can’t imagine it could sustain another.
Corvette. They should’ve combined their loss leaders and made a CorVolt.
@Denver: I’m pretty sure the Corvette makes GM money.
I pretty sure Corvettes lose money for GM. 12,100 units made last year (made, not sold). 30,000 seems to the cutoff. The Camaro & TA we’re kill off about there. Then you add the alloy hydoformed space frame that’s not shared with any other GMs. I’m not sure anything except for the engine is shared except it’s hand built (with love?). I can’t prove the Corvette loses money since GM won’t let anyone look at the Corvette’s ‘books’. Besides, loss leaders aren’t supposed to make direct profits. They ‘build on the brand’ and their technological advancements trickle down to ‘bread & butter’ cars. Well, in theory anyways.
Gm wouldn’t be able to keep up with demand if they offer this for sale.
As much as I appreciate the enthusiasm Z71…given the complete lack of real market presence for any diesel vehicle here in the USA (I’d have to imagine that the combined sales of all diesel-powered vehicles here for any given year barely register), I don’t see a stampede of buyers lining up for a diesel Cruze…
Three things need to happen: 1.) Diesel prices need to come down below gasoline prices. Using a somewhat educated guess, the higher cost of fuel offsets any of the service advantages the diesel powertrain would offer.
2.) The diesel Cruze has to have excellent fuel mileage for it’s class. it can’t be middle of the road. Of course since nothing has been announced, it would be hard to know how well it does.
3.) The diesel Cruze has to be priced compellingly to make people not want to buy the equivalent gasoline version.
Of course, if they announce the Cruze hatchback as diesel only, that could be the compelling reason to buy the car.
A little trivia; the last Chevy GM nameplate auto that was available with a diesel was the 81-85 Chevette. It came with the Isuzu 1.9 diesel and got an EPA estimated 50 MPG which was a mileage leader right up there on yop of the EPA best mileage list with comparable small cars such as the VW Rabbit diesel and Honda Civic CVCC.
My dad owned a 81 2dr 5 speed with dealer installed air as his commuter car. He got 50+ MPG highway mid 30’s city. The car was quite reliable though being RWD, not great in snow and the EBrake occasionally froze.
As far as a diesel Cruze goes it could be a niche market car and pull away some VW TDI owners, folks who can’t afford a Audi A3 or BMW 330D or be popular with fleets, though diesel rentals are a hard sell since all you need is one dumb renter to fill it with regular to ruin your day.
I don’t see why they would.
The 1.4L turbo petrol will have the same fuel economy and better performance.
The diesel Cruze is only offered in Australia because farmers and miners can get diesel excise-free, saving 38 cents a litre (actually they can get any fuel excise free but they need to have their own fuel storage and have to have diesel for tractors and it makes sense to use the same fuel for everything).
Here in Italy they sell the cruze with a 1.6L 16 valve 124 HP gas and a 2.0L 163 HP Diesel.
here are the fuel consumptions in liters per 100km. Diesel Fuel is about 10 to 15 cents cheaper than gas per liter her in Italy and usualy this kind of car is bought with a diesel in this country.
fuel consumption:
urban
8,8 l/100km gas
7,6 l/100km diesel
extra urban
5,1 l/100km gas
4,4 l/100km diesel
combined
6,5 l/100km gas
5,6 l/100km diesel
CO2 Emissions
153 g/km gas
147 g/km diesel
Why wouldn’t this go in the Buick Verano?