Due to rising development costs, the folks at GM are having to delay a number of models that were originally scheduled to launch within the next couple of years, namely the Cadillac CTS Coupe, Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Cruze, Saab 9-5, and Saab 9-4X.
The Cruze was set to replace the Chevrolet Cobalt and delaying it now puts GM behind the small car trend. The Cruze is a very important car for the General, but GM is determined to have the Cruze released in the U.S. by 2010. The CTS Coupe and LaCrosse aren't expected to be high-volume cars anyway, so delaying these models shouldn't hurt too much. As for the Saabs, the 9-5 is an old car riding on an old platform and is in desperate need of a refresh, while the 9-4X is still in development at this time.
In the meantime, GM is expanding its development in other areas -- namely plug-in hybrids. The Chevrolet Volt is currently in the works, but we're told that other plug-ins could be arriving within the next few years.
+ Motor Authority: GM confirms delays for Cruze, CTS Coupe and Saab models