Analyst: Cruze will replace Cobalt

Recent spy photos of a General Motors small car are the Chevrolet Cruze that will be built in Lordstown, an analyst said.

Photographers have taken photos of a small car recently that they have speculated would be the next-generation Cobalt.

Stephanie Brinley, an analyst with AutoPacific in Southfield, Mich., said she is certain the car in the photos will be the replacement for the Cobalt. GM doesn’t have another small car program in development, she said.

The Cobalt name will be discontinued because GM is developing the Cruze to be a worldwide car, she said. GM has previously used the Cruze name in international markets and found that it worked, she said.

The Cruze is to go into production next year in South Korea for the European and Asian markets. GM has said production would begin in Lordstown in 2010, but Brinley said she wouldn’t be surprised if GM pushes that date up to late 2009.

For more information, see Friday’s Vindicator or www.vindy.com.