While not confirmed, Chevrolet appears to be ready to introduce Cruze hatchback to U.S. shores.

Chevrolet is looking to right a wrong in its product line-up by adding a hatchback to the next generation Cruze portfolio of compacts.

The Cruze may have been slated to have a hatchback in its stable of coupes and sedans, but GM product chief Mark Reuss has called the omission of a Cruze hatchback for the U.S. “a pre-bankruptcy planning mistake.” While the automaker hasn’t acknowledged the addition publicly, Automotive News reported the vehicle was shown to dealers last week.

The automaker hasn’t offered a compact car as a hatchback since 1987 when you could get the Chevy Cavalier – the first generation of the Cavalier – in that version.

Chevy already sells a hatchback Cruze in other markets, including Australia and China. Hatchback models more popular in other parts of the world; however, when Ford introduced its current version of its Focus compact, it included the hatchback. The hatch comprises 40% of Focus sales.

Chevy appears ready to add its name to the growing list of makers with hatchback models.

Other makers also have hatchback models, including the Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Versa Note, Kia Forte and Hyundai Elantra. Honda is reintroducing a Civic hatchback with its next-gen line-up. IHS Automotive expects hatchbacks to grow to 7.8% of U.S. light-vehicle sales by 2020, up from an estimated 5.3% this year.

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Part of the reason is the introduction of the “hot” hatch, such as the Focus ST and the upcoming Focus RS, which gives drivers combination of high performance sports car with the fuel efficiency of a small car. The Focus ST, which debuted last year, features a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine putting out 252 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, while torque peaks at 270 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm. It goes from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

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The much anticipated RS is a step above the ST. Expected to put out 315 hp, the new RS will share the same basic body as the more mainstream Focus ST five-door, with a number of modifications made to improve body stiffness, handling and aerodynamics.

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The increased horsepower represents a significant decrease in zero-to-60 time, which will now take little more than three seconds, according to estimates. Ford isn’t releasing performance details – or pricing information – until closer to the new Focus RS model’s launch next year. The question now is: will Chevy offer a similar model?