Nov. 5 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Co. began production of a version of the Chevrolet Cruze compact car more than three weeks behind schedule because of quality issues that the company declined to specify.

Output of Cruzes with the optional RS appearance package began this week, Lesley Hettinger, a GM spokeswoman, said today in an telephone interview. GM’s plant in Lordstown, Ohio, was supposed to begin making the cars in early October, she said.

“There were some issues affecting the quality of the package, and in order to ensure that no vehicle leaves without meeting our standards, we held off until it was perfect,” Hettinger said. She declined to specify what caused the delays.

GM is counting on the Cruze to help make up ground on Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. in the compact car segment. The Detroit-based automaker sold 5,048 Cruzes in October, the car’s first month in showrooms. Toyota had 18,636 Corolla sales, and Honda sold 17,121 Civics.

The Cruze is "the workhorse" that’s going to carry GM, Don Johnson, the automaker’s vice president of U.S. sales, said on the company’s Nov. 3 conference call.

"We haven’t been as strong in cars, especially at the low- end, as we would have liked to have been, and Cruze is really going to be the game-changer in that regard," Johnson said. GM wants to “significantly increase” Cruze deliveries starting in November as dealers build inventories, he said. He didn’t give specific sales targets.

The Cruze starts at $16,995 and sells for as much as $22,695, according to a June 3 statement. The RS package includes “rocker moldings, unique front and rear fascias, front fog lamps, and rear spoiler,” GM said.

Production Delayed

GM said in October last year it would push back the start of Cruze production to the third quarter of this year, from the previous three-month period, to have all variations of the new model available. The Cruze replaces the Cobalt in Chevrolet’s lineup.

“Long term, we expect that Cruze is going to be substantially more of a vehicle than the Cobalt and will better meet consumer needs, and therefore we would expect the Cruze to outsell the Cobalt,” Johnson said on the conference call.

The Lordstown plant had 4,150 hourly employees as of July 28, according to the company’s media website.

 

Sells for as much as $22,695 Just don't see an entry level compact car getting this price and becoming popular. GM didn't learn a thing as to why it had to close Divisions. How is this going to compete with Japan. I like the concept, the car, but GM's ability to survive and compete os soemwhat hinging on this car. Hope it doesn't become a huge stumbling block for them.

 

How about an engine upgrade!?!

 

The US-made 1.4L turbo engine is the upgrade. It's upgraded from a 1.8L NA engine made in Mexico.

 

Hmmm, does the N/A come with Salsa?

 

It will...
... burn the tires like hot Salsa?

 

...Good one Rad. :-P