|
 The automaker said the affected Cruze cars, 2013 and 2014 models
equipped with a 1.4-liter turbo engine, are not being recalled. The
action only covers the affected models that are unsold on dealer
lots, which make up about one-third of the vehicle's inventory at
dealers, a GM spokesman said.
The 1.4-liter gas turbo engine accounts for about 60 percent of the
Cruze's retail sales mix in any given month, a GM spokesman said.
The vehicle also is sold with a 1.8-liter gas engine and a 2-liter
diesel engine.
"With GM still in the midst of trying to resolve the recall related
to faulty ignition switches on the Chevrolet Cobalt and other legacy
models. The last thing they need is a major issue with one of their
current high volume production models, in this case, the Chevrolet
Cruze," said Kelley Blue Book senior analyst Alec Gutierrez.
Last year, Cruze sales rose 4.4 percent to 248,224 vehicles, making
it the 12th strongest selling vehicle in the U.S. market, according
to Autodata. Through February, Cruze sales this year were up 19
percent.
"I can just confirm that we put a stop-sale in last night," GM
spokesman Alan Adler said.
He said he did not have any details on why the action was being
taken, but said stop-sale orders can happen for various reasons. He
said stop-sale orders mean the dealers need to do something to the
vehicle before it can be sold.
Last month, GM recalled 1.6 million older-model cars globally to
replace defective ignition switches that can be knocked out of the
"run" position while driving, turning off the engine and disabling
airbags and electrical components.
[to top of second column] |
GM Chief Executive Mary Barra is scheduled next week to testify
before the House of Representatives and Senate, whose members seek
to learn how the problem did not result in a recall earlier despite
being first noted within the company in 2001.
One Chevrolet dealer, who asked not to be identified, confirmed the
alert to stop selling the 1.4 liter turbo models but said no further
details had been provided by GM.
GM shares were up 44 cents, or 1.3 percent, at $34.95 in midday
trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
(Reporting by Ben Klayman in Detroit; editing by Alden Bentley and
Andrea Ricci)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
