The star of “Home Improvement” and the “Toy Story” movies is becoming a pitchman for Chevrolet.

General Motors Co. says Tim Allen will be a spokesman for the brand and will star in a series of TV ads for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze that begin airing on Tuesday.

Allen, 57, is best-known for playing a tool buff in the TV series “Home Improvement.” He was also the voice of Buzz Lightyear in the “Toy Story” trilogy.

The Cruze ads will feature voiceover from Allen and will offer comparisons of the Cruze with competitor models. The Cruze, a compact sedan, is a key vehicle for GM as it aims to compete in the small car segment. That segment is dominated by competitors like the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla.

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