Chevrolet’s new Cruze Hatchback will be seen for the first time at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, on September 30. It will be one of four world Chevrolet premieres at the show.

The Cruze hatchback offers buyers an alternative body style to the traditional sedan. According to Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe, “Hatchbacks play a critical role in many markets. For instance, the total compact segment in Europe represents around 4.8 million units which is over a quarter of the total market, with hatchbacks representing around 65% of that volume. We therefore expect to see increased business in a number of regions.”

The Cruze sedan has been warmly accepted in world markets to date, thanks to its coupe style, build quality, European 5-star NCAP rating and driving dynamics. In China alone, Chevrolet has sold nearly 90,000 Cruze vehicles since the start of the year, while the sedan is yet to go on sale in US dealerships in September. With the Cruze hatch, Chevrolet will enter a new market segment with a value for money product and continue to build their brand as an alternative to some more established names.

A coupe-style roofline with short overhangs, at both the front and rear, characterise the new Cruze hatch. The hatchback is built using Chevrolet’s new body-frame integral system (BFI), which is said to result in high levels of solidity and stability on the road. Cargo capacity for the Cruze hatchback is close to 400-litres and will feature 60:40 split rear seating.

The new Chevrolet Cruze 5-door hatchback will go on sale across Europe mid-2011, followed by other global markets. Although GM South Africa is considering the possibility of bringing this stylish hatch into South Africa to complement the current Cruze range, no final decision has yet been made.