Chevrolet Cruze

The Chevrolet Cruze is a General Motors (GM) automobile, spanning two unrelated generational lineages. The first series, a subcompact crossover SUV, was manufactured bySuzuki in Japan between 2001 and 2008 under joint venture with GM. From 2008, the "Cruze" moniker has been applied to a globally-developed compact car, designed, manufactured and retailed entirely within GM.

Badged Holden Cruze in Australasia and Daewoo Lacetti Premiere in South Korea, the 2008 onwards model is related only in name to the Suzuki-derived original, and does not serve as its successor. Instead, the new car replaces two unrelated models—the Chevrolet Cobalt and Daewoo Lacetti. This preceding Lacetti was sold internationally as either a Buick,Chevrolet, Daewoo, Holden or Suzuki. GM phased out production of the Chevrolet Cobalt and its badged engineered counterpart, the Pontiac G5 in 2010 upon the introduction of the Chevrolet Cruze in North America.

Revealed as the Chevrolet YGM1 concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1999, the original Cruze was derived from the subcompact Suzuki Ignis (known as the Suzuki Swift in Japan).The development of the Cruze departed from the original five-door hatchback Suzuki as a sport utility vehicle (SUV), using either the front- or all-wheel drive layout. Despite the Chevrolet branding, the YGM1, like the production car, was the work of GM's Australian arm, Holden. Along with the styling, Holden also executed most of the engineering work and were responsible for devising the "Cruze" nameplate.

GM revealed the production Chevrolet Cruze in October 2001, with Japanese sales commencing the following month.Manufactured by Suzuki in Japan, the Cruze was also sold in Australasia from 2002 through to 2006 as the Holden Cruze. From 2003, Suzuki of Europe began manufacturing the Cruze as the Suzuki Ignis—representing a facelift of the original Ignis.