Chevrolet Cruze Indian launch by December 2009

GM has already launched its Chevrolet Cruze in the Korean market but still has a long wait until it sees the shores of North America. The car was scheduled to go on sale in North America by mid 2010 as a replacement for the Chevrolet Cobalt, however sources at GM are citing the company's current cash struggles as a factor that will end up delaying it until 2011 at the earliest.

• Chevrolet's European division has confirmed that the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze's debut in the European market will remain as per schedule.

• The 2009 Chevrolet Cruze is expected to make its European debut in April 2009. The company expects to sell about 20,000 to 25,000 units in first year after its launch.

• The 2009 Chevrolet Cruze will be built at Chevy's Talegaon  plant in Maharashtra and is expected to hit Indian market only by December 2009 or start of 2010.

While sales figures are important for the midsized Cruze, another important factor is recognition of Chevy brand by European markets as a whole, in order to help it achieve the success that Ford has had there.

Sources say that the European market Chevrolet Cruze will be built in GM's Daewoo plant in South Korea and then exported to the European market, while the North American and Russian models will be built locally.

Ford's small and economical cars have proven a hit in Europe and despite the global financial meltdown, Ford (Europe) is expected to be profitable both this year and next year.

2009 Chevrolet Cruze Picture Gallery