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Chevrolet’s Cruze is the best selling compact saloon in several major European markets, including Germany, Italy and the UK.



The problem is that it’s a small segment, because hatchbacks take the lion’s share of compact sales in Europe. That also explains why Chevrolet’s sister brands Vauxhall and Opel have yet to produce a saloon version of the current generation Astra, the model which shares its ‘Delta II’ platform with the Cruze.



So, perhaps realising that having just one body style is hampering sales, Chevrolet has announced it’ll be unveiling a Cruze hatchback at this month’s Paris Motor Show. Although the hatch is being referred to as a ‘show car’ (which means it’s not a concept, but it’s not quite the final production spec either), sales are due to start from the middle of 2011.

Reflecting the Cruze’s global presence, the hatchback show car has actually been designed and built by GM’s Australian subsidiary, Holden, at its studios in Melbourne. The result is an elegant looking vehicle which - unsurprisingly - appears to share its proportions with the Astra, which is no bad thing. It could even tempt some buyers away from Vauxhall and Opel?



Australia will also become a manufacturing location for the Cruze hatch, to satisfy the local market. Like the existing saloon version (pictured below), cars sold there will be badged as Holdens and get a slightly different nose.







All images © GM Corp.