GM just needs to make a few bucks on each one they sell, and THAT will be such a giant leap for them. They've had such a long stretch of losing money on everything non-truck based thanks to their marketing strategy of being the low price alternative.
The Cruze (ugh, name) might do pretty well. Many compact buyers are going to base their decision on comfort, not aggressive styling. If the car has "mass appeal" GM might turn some profits with it, setting the stage for future advances in smaller cars.