November 18, 2010, Braintree, MA… There’s a new challenger in the push for greater fuel efficiency, and it’s not a hybrid. The 2011
Chevy Cruze has already gained significant buzz this fall as Chevrolet’s eye-catching answer to both domestic and foreign compact competitors, and now the upcoming Chevy Cruze Eco is garnering praise for its remarkable 42 mpg on the highway.
That mileage number, recently announced by the EPA, makes the Cruze Eco the most fuel-efficient gas-powered car available to environment- and cash-conscious car buyers, surpassing the 2011 Ford Focus, 2010 Honda Civic and 2010 Toyota Corolla. Even more impressive is how the newest Cruze, arriving at
Chevy dealers across the country in January, also bests the highway fuel-economy of hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima, as well as the much-hyped Ford Fiesta subcompact.
“The new Cruze has been a hot seller since it arrived a couple of months ago, and we’re eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Eco,” said Haykel Ammari, general manager of Greater
Boston Chevy dealer Quirk Chevrolet. “The Cruze is a very serious compact from GM, designed to meet the needs of compact car buyers without compromising anything. With the Cruze, Chevrolet is ready to challenge the hold foreign automakers have had over the compact car market.”
The evidence from General Motors shows that the Cruze has already found a market. During its first full month of sales in October, the Cruze put up numbers similar to October 2009 figures for the Chevrolet Cobalt, the compact model that it replaced. Even more impressive is how quickly the new Chevy compact is leaving dealer lots. Edmunds.com is reporting that Cruzes are spending an average of 8 days at dealerships before being sold; a typical vehicle remains on lots for an average of 50 days.
That demand is expected to continue due to the remarkable fuel-economy numbers of the Eco. The 28 mpg/city and 42 mpg/highway are for the manual-transmission model, but even the six-speed automatic offers 26 mpg/city and 37 mpg/highway thanks to a 1.4-liter, turbocharged Ecotec four-cylinder engine, and a series of aerodynamic improvements designed to optimize airflow and improve efficiency.
The fuel economy of the Cruze Eco might be getting the attention, but just as important to many compact-car shoppers is the price. Unlike the hybrids and clean diesels it is competing against, the Cruze Eco starts at a very affordable $18,895, meaning that buyers save money both at the dealership and throughout the life of the vehicle.
Ammari sees both the standard Cruze and the upcoming Eco models as ideal urban commuter vehicles for Massachusetts car shoppers.
“A lot of young Massachusetts drivers looking for a stylish yet practical vehicle can find everything they need in the Cruze,” he said. “Also, 10 airbags and electronic stability control come standard on all models, so when conditions get bad in winter, you can rely on the Cruze to provide not just a fuel-efficient ride, but a safe one.”
About Quirk Chevrolet: Quirk Chevrolet serves satisfied Chevy drivers throughout the Boston metro area and Massachusetts. Their expert service staff and dedicated parts department, in addition to their extensive inventory of new and pre-owned Chevrolets, has made Quirk Chevrolet the destination for Chevy lovers throughout the region. To find out more, visit them online at www.quirkchevy.com, like them on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/QuirkCars, call them at 781-917-1151, or stop by their dealership at 444 Quincy Avenue in Braintree, Massachusetts.
