Chevy Cobalt to Become ‘Cruze’ in 2009; Debut Set for Paris Auto Show

General Motors Corp. reaches back to the future in announcing plans to dump the Cobalt name and call its new global compact car the Chevrolet Cruze, confirming its next-generation Optra will provide the underpinnings.

GM spokeswoman Nancy Libby declines to elaborate on the auto maker’s statement, confirming only that the new model will replace the Cobalt at GM’s Lordstown, OH, plant, and its ...