Sales of Chevrolet Cruze in the Middle East reached 2,627 during the first half of 2010, according to a company statement.

Sales of the car have been rising at an average of 18 per cent per month and on a global basis, 140,000 Cruzes were sold in the first six months of 2010.

A total of 270,000 have been sold since the vehicle was launched in the spring of 2009 in Europe, followed by other major markets, such as China in the summer of 2009.

The Cruze will be introduced in the United States market in September.

The all-new Chevrolet Cruze raises the bar in the Middle East’s compact segment with its expressively styled exterior, best-in-class interior, build quality and safety features. The Cruze’s interior is head and shoulders above competitors in its segment with an available two-tone design, premium materials and spaciousness, said the statement.

The tight, strong structure of the Cruze is key to suppressing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), as well as securing an excellent crash safety performance and optimal ride and handling properties.

The Cruze features a 1.8-litre, DOHC 4-cylinder gasoline engine delivering 140 hp. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual gearbox and an all-new 6-speed automatic transmission. The all-new engine and transmissions for Cruze feature advanced technologies focused on optimising both power and fuel efficiency.

“Customers around the world have already made the Cruze an international success,” said Luay Alshurafa, Chevrolet and GMC regional brand manager. “In the Middle East, customers are selecting the Cruze for its distinct styling and fuel economy.”

The Cruze is currently available in more than 60 countries. The top five markets are China, Russia, Mexico, India and Spain. Including Holden and GM Daewoo versions sold in Australia and South Korea, total sales exceed 340,000 vehicles across five continents.

The Cruze will be the only compact car built in the US for the 2011 model year.-TradeArabia News Service