Cruze on last legs

SUZUKI intends to terminate production of the Holden and Chevrolet-badged Cruze within 12 months, according to Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper.

The paper reported that a meeting earlier this month in the US between Suzuki chief executive Osamu Suzuki and GM CEO Rick Wagoner sealed the fate of the light 4WD, which is based on Suzuki’s previous-generation Ignis small car. US imports are scheduled to end "during this business year".

Cruze sales have all but dried up this year for Holden, which has a replacement in the forthcoming GM Daewoo-built compact 4WD based on the T2X show car.