Allen, who grew up in Oakland County and attended Western Michigan University, is probably best known for his role in the ABC comedy "Home Improvement" and as the voice of Buzz Lightyear in Disney's "Toy Story" film series, but his resume includes other high-profile work.
"One of my favorite things about the Tim Allen hire is you're going to get the whole family involved," said Dr. Rebecca Hayes, a University of Michigan-Flint assistant professor.
"Children are going to recognize his voice because he's Buzz Lightyear. And in advertising, one of the most important things is the nag factor."
Hayes thinks making Allen the voice for the Cruze ads is a good move because he's also known as a car lover and collector.
"Having Tim Allen may give the Cruze some credibility with car guys that it wouldn't have otherwise," she said.
Allen already has some notoriety as the voiceover artist in the "Pure Michigan" TV and radio ads, and he recently signed a contract with Campbell Soup to be the company spokesman.
"So between 'Pure Michigan,' Chevy Cruze and Campbell's Soup, I don't know if we can get away from him," Hayes said.
The new ad release is just ahead of the first Cruze, which rolls off the assembly line in Lordstown, Ohio Wednesday.
Many of the sub-compacts will be equipped with a 1.4-liter engine produced at Flint Engine South.
