Chevrolet to leave WTCC at end of season

Chevrolet will leave the World Touring Car Championship at the end of the 2012 season.

The shock announcement follows a strategic review of Chevrolet's motorsport and marketing programmes.

The American manufacturer had joined WTCC from the championship's maiden year back in 2005 with the Lacetti model car; they then switched to the Cruze in 2009.

The eight-year programme has so far resulted in two Drivers' and Constructors' Championships (2010-2011) and 59 race wins for Chevrolet. For three consecutive years, Chevrolet's racing team has proven the on-tract abilities of the Cruze, the brand's best-selling nameplate, against major contenders in motorsports.

This announcement is being made mid-season to allow Chevrolet's race drivers, Yvan Muller, Rob Huff and Alain Menu, and race partner RML to plan for the future. Huff and Muller are pictured above during  Race 1, Portimao, Race of Portugal and on the podium.

The Chevrolet WTCC Team currently leads both Championships and is aiming to finish on a high by adding two more World Titles to its achievements in the series.

Chevrolet will continue to be present in global motorsports with its many other race series, including IndyCar and GT racing.