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Chevy to launch Cruze hatchback at Paris show

General Motors announced the 2011 Chevy Cruze 5-door hatchback will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. The vehicle will be available only in Europe.

Suzanne Ashe
Suzanne Ashe has been covering technology, gadgets, video games, and cars for several years. In addition to writing features and reviews for magazines and Web sites, she has contributed to daily newspapers.
Suzanne Ashe
Axel Wierdemann

The 5-door hatchback Chevrolet Cruze will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show (Oct. 2 to 17). The new model will only be available in Europe. Axel Wierdemann

General Motors today announced it will unveil a five-door 2011 Chevy Cruze hatchback at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe, said the total compact segment in Europe represents about 4.8 million units, which is more than a quarter of the total market and hatchbacks represent about 65 percent of that volume.

"Hatchbacks play a critical role in many markets," said Brannon. "We therefore expect to see increased business in a number of regions, while sending out a signal that Chevrolet is now a serious mainstream player in Europe."

The 2010 Chevy Cruze tops the compact sedan sales charts in many of the larger European markets including Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the U.K., according to a General Motors news release.

GM will launch five sedan models of the 2011 Chevy Cruze this month to the domestic market. The Cruze is currently available in 70 countries. It's sold in South Korea under the Daewoo label and as Holden Cruze in Australia.

The 2011 Chevy Cruze hatchback will be available across Europe. Axel Wierdemann

The Chevy Cruze hatchback will feature a larger cargo capacity with 60/40 split rear seating. Axel Wierdemann