First look Holden Cruze

Holden has accelerated its small-car attack with an early introduction of the Korean-made Cruze.

The global compact will be in local showrooms within six months before going into production alongside the Commodore in Adelaide in the back end of 2010.

News of the Cruze attack came as Holden chief, Mark Reuss, announced another value-driven effort with the Commodore, which will be re-packaged as the ‘International’ sedan and sportwagon, in March.

But Reuss will not confirm any details of the twin-edged effort with the Cruze, which is being put through a major engineering program ahead of local production next year.

“This is an imported version. I cannot really reveal our strategy,” Reuss said after introducing the Cruze at the Melbourne Motor Show.

“This is an addition to Viva and Astra. It presents us with a new-generation car, a new design and a new way of thinking.”

Reuss also talked at the show of the unfolding plan for a Holden version of the GM Volt, even though it will not arrive downunder until 2012.

“We could have easily shown you a wild concept or show car, but this is not the show for that. Today it’s about providing real solutions.”

The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...