Chevrolet subtracts weight, adds legroom to Cruze

Chevrolet's redesigned 2016 Cruze will have two inches more rear seat legroom and will be substantially lighter and more fuel efficient than the 2015 model it replaces, says General Motors officials.

The new compact sedan will be introduced June 24 at an event in Detroit. It's the fifth new car that the Chevrolet brand is launching this year although some models won't reach dealerships until early 2016.

Chevrolet sold 273,060 Cruzes in 2014 – a 10% increase from 2013. But sales through the first five months of this year are down 12%.

"In every corner of the globe, Cruze has been successful at introducing new and younger customers to Chevrolet," said Alan.Batey, president of General Motors North America and head of the Chevrolet brand globally.

"Compact car customers are looking for style, safety and connectivity at an affordable price and the Cruze delivers on all fronts," Batey said.

The 2016 Cruze will be one of the first Chevrolets to offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

When the next-generation Cruze hits showrooms in early 2016, more than 95% of Chevrolet's models in the U.S. will be less than three years old.

Earlier this year, Chevy unveiled a second generation of the Volt extended range electric car at the North American International Auto Show. A new Malibu and Spark debuted at the New York Auto Show in April. Then last month the company showed the 2016 Camaro at an event near Detroit.