Chevrolet released the first pictures of the new Cruze sedan, which will make its world premier at the Paris Motor Show in October.

"The Chevrolet Cruze was designed and engineered by our global teams in Europe and Asia Pacific and will be manufactured in those regions in addition to the assembly plant here in Lordstown, Ohio," GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said. "Our goal for the Chevrolet Cruze is to lead in fuel economy in this very competitive car segment."

The new four-door will be sold in Europe starting in March 2009, and will go on sale in the U.S. as a 2011 model.

"We are proud that Europe is leading the introduction for this global product," said Wayne Brannon, executive director of Chevrolet Europe. "Chevrolet has always stood for expressive value and Cruze delivers on that promise like never before. It further redefines Chevrolet with its design, quality, materials and great style inside and out. The fit and finish for gaps and interfaces sets a new standard for this segment in Europe and around the world."

With sales in Europe up by 23 percent for the first six months of 2008, Chevrolet is GM Europe's fastest-growing mainstream brand.

Wagoner said Thursday that the company was going to invest $500 million to build the Cruze -- with $350 million going to the Lordstown, Ohio, plant that will build it.

The Lordstown plant also builds the Chevrolet Cobalt, which is the same length as the Cruze will be at its launch. But GM said the Cruze will make better use of its interior space, offering more room for five passengers and cargo.

"The Cruze will build on the already successful Chevrolet Cobalt, Cobalt XFE and Cobalt SS, all of which are nearly sold out in dealer showrooms," said Ed Peper, GM North America vice president of Chevrolet. "Our dealers are asking for many more Cobalts than we can build."

Chevrolet Cobalt sales are up 16 percent, year-to-date through July 2008, with 33 mpg on the highway. The new Cobalt XFE model jumps to 37 mpg.

The Cobalt's success prompted GM to add the third production shift and 1,400 jobs -- the largest hiring since Lordstown opened in 1966. The complex will employ about 4,300 hourly workers and roughly 300 salaried workers.

Whether or when the Cobalt and Pontiac G5 -- also build at Lordstown -- might cease production has yet to be determined, GM has said.