Chevy Pits Cruze Against Corolla & Civic

How well does the Cruze stack up against the Corolla & Civic?

What is the most important Chevrolet product released over the past few years or soon to be introduced?

Some people may say the Camaro, as that vehicle put Chevrolet squarely back in the pony car game, pitting it against the Ford Mustang. Others might say the Equinox and Traverse as these two models have proven that GM can build crossovers which are at the top of their respective segments. The Malibu has shown Chevrolet’s midsize car prowess while the electrified Volt is likely to win honors as the most hyped product of our time.

Actually, none of these vehicles will likely have as much of an effect on the Chevrolet brand as its compact Cruze, set to be introduced within the next month. Replacing the bland Cobalt, the Cruze is everything a compact sedan should be and more: stylish, roomy, well appointed and highly fuel efficient. The latter two attributes have rarely been seen in a GM model of this size, but the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is about to change that.

Cruze Confidence

GM is confident that the Cruze has what it takes and is urging its dealers to buy at least one car each from its top competitors — the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic. In July, when GM introduced the Cruze to the national press corps in Washington, D.C., we were able to drive the Cruze, Corolla and Civic back-to-back for comparison purposes.

My personal observation of all three has the Cruze on top, which is what GM hopes Chevrolet shoppers will also conclude.

Of course, there is always a risk that customers will choose a competing model especially when those vehicles are showcased front and center at a local Chevrolet dealership. However, that means you are confident that your product is better than the rest and not a mere equal. And, judging by its clean and well appointed interior, superior gas mileage and midsize car roominess, GM finally has a product it doesn’t have to make an apology for.

Cruze Importance

Cobalt sales have hovered around 200,000 annual units from 2005-2008 which is the floor Cruze sales should hit despite ongoing economic weakness. Ideally, Cruze sales will be much higher, perhaps approaching levels reached by the Cavalier during the 1980s when sales peaked well above 400,000 units annually.

Yes, stiffer competition and more of it will be a factor, but if Chevrolet can siphon some sales from Toyota and Honda while giving customers a reason not to purchase the upcoming Ford Focus, the current Hyundai Elantra or the Nissan Altima, then a middle ground number seems likely.

That net increase could put Chevrolet ahead of Ford and within striking range of Toyota, currently the best-selling automotive brand in the United States.

Photo Credit: General Motors Company

Kia Rolls Out Its Forte Compact Sedan

The Kia Motor Company has long lived in the shadow of its Korean cousin, Hyundai Motors, playing second fiddle to an automaker who has been busy reinventing its own image. Kia, which has long stood for low-priced and average quality at best vehicles, is also in the midst of a makeover, having released its Soul urban expression vehicle earlier this Spring, a Scion-like car that has been well received by critics and buyers alike.

Competition For Toyota And Honda

Last week, Kia rolled out its second important introduction of the year, its Forte compact, a five passenger sedan that will thankfully replace the uninspiring Spectra. Based on the Koup concept, the Forte’s styling will help it compete against the two segment leaders — the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.

And, judging by its looks alone, the Forte succeeds where all other Kia models have failed. Crisp styling, a well designed and appointed interior along with a competitive price will put the Forte on many buyer’s lists, something that the Spectra achieved thanks to major discounting. Kia says that the Forte is a clean break from the Spectra meaning that it is an all new model not just an all new name.

Beauty Is More Than Skin Deep

Courtesy of Kia Motors of America, the following photos will give you a better look at the compact sedan:

Replacing the Spectra, the 2010 Kia Forte offers bold styling which is based upon the Koup concept, a model that was well received at auto shows in 2008.

The tapered C Pillar is a styling cue typically found on more expensive, European sedans. The Forte sits on a 104 inch wheelbase and is 178 inches long by 70 inches wide.

The Kia Forte dashboard is nicely designed, with driver controls embedded on the steering wheel as well as on the center stack.

Comfortable bucket seats greet front passengers with the driver getting six-way adaptable seating. Leather trimmed and heated seats are available with the EX package.

Seating for three rear passengers is available, although just like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, two passenger seating is optimal.

Standard engine is a 2.0L I4 paired with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Optionally a 2.4L I4 engine is available, which is paired with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. An optional Fuel Economy Package on the EX model helps the Forte achieve 27/36 mpg, the highest ratings for this model.

For more information about the Kia Forte, please visit the Kia Motors website.

Mazda To Roll Out The Mazda3 In L.A.

The all-new Mazda3 will be revealed at next month's L.A. Auto Show, a popular model first introduced to the world in 2003.

Mazda has announced that they will be rolling out their next generation compact, the Mazda3, at next month’s auto show in Los Angeles. The popular compact, which goes be Axela in Japan, has been on the market since 2003 and is sold in more than 100 countries.

Overwhelmingly successful, the Mazda3 has realized more than 1.8 million sales to date, a pace that Mazda fully expects to maintain when the car goes on sale stateside next year. At that is a good thing too: fully one out of every three vehicles sold by Mazda is the Mazda3/Axela, proving that a lot is riding on this car having a successful launch.

Mazda is keeping most details about the car mum until its press preview on November 19th, but we do know that the car will have a five door hatchback configuration and be powered by a 2.0L I4 as standard equipment, with an optional 2.5L – the same engine used in the larger Mazda6 – made available.

Ford’s Global Platform

Because Ford holds about a 38% share of Mazda’s business, the automakers have teamed up to produce several platforms including the one that powers the Mazda3. Ford, which also owns Volvo, uses the platform to underpin its Focus (European version) and Volvo’s S40, saving each automaker hundreds of millions in development and tooling costs.

The sportiest of all Mazda3 models is the Mazdaspeed3, which made its debut in 2006. Designed for the tuner and sports hatch industry, the car is powered by a turbocharged engine and has a 6 speed manual transmission, limited slip differential, upgraded brakes, suspension, tires, chassis and many other performance enhancements.

Stiff Competition, A Strong Performer Nonetheless

The Mazda3 has some stiff competition in the form of the Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Nissan Sentra, Volkswagen Jetta, and Toyota Corolla. But, Mazda has carved out a nice niche for itself, one that should help the automaker continue to hold its own as consumers embrace the car’s combination of style, value, sportiness, and fuel efficiency.

Source: Mazda Corporation