admin

General Motors is already getting some favorable press with the new Chevrolet Cruze, the automakers' attempt to go toe-to-toe against Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Now Europeans will get an extra that Americans won't: a Cruze hatchback.

The new five-door Cruze is due to be shown at the Paris auto show and goes on sale in Europe next year. Other global markets may get it but Chevy is very specific in saying the U.S. won't see it. Hatchbacks are still a dirty word in America except on the smallest of cars.

"Hatchbacks play a critical role in many markets," says Wayne Brannon, president of GM Europe. "For instance, the total compact segment in Europe represents around 4.8 million units which is over a quarter of the total market, with hatchbacks representing around 65% of that volume,"

Though it is only coming to the U.S. now, Cruze has been selling around the world since last year. GM says it has sold well.