Chevrolet is looking at its new 117g/km diesel engine in the lower medium Cruze as a “big step” towards establishing itself in the core fleet sector.
The new 62.7mpg diesel launches this month and gives fleet users a more competitive engine than the 147g/km 2.0 diesel that was previously the only oil-burner offered.
“This is a big step, as big as bringing in the five-door Cruze,” said Chevrolet UK boss Mark Terry. “The brand is very appealing for user choosers wanting something different but that won’t compromise their tax code. The 1.7-litre for users choosers is a big deal for us.”
The new engine will launch in the five-door model, with the estate Station Wagon version coming this summer.?However, the low-selling saloon variant will not be getting the engine.
“The 1.7 gives us an entry point, year by year you’re seeing us grow,” continued Terry. “The five-door Cruze now has a more credible engine with great CO2 and fuel economy, and we will continue to make these steps.”
Terry said Chevrolet is looking to gently build a long-term fleet presence. “With the Aveo, Cruze five-door and now the 1.7, in the true fleet arena we are starting a new page and I’m not too alarmed by the notion of slowly growing,” he said.
“Chevrolet is a significant volume ahead of last year and the plan is for a record this year; it’s an all-round combination of a full year of full supply in a full product range starting to kick in.”
Although Terry described Chevrolet’s range as “full”, there are new models on the horizon. Industry speculation surrounds the arrival of a new small SUV model due to be revealed this summer, while the Colorado pick-up is also set to launch within 12 months, and the firm is also looking at a small sporty coupe model based on recent concept cars.
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