Spark Grows Older, More Expensive?

AutoInformed.com

GM needs to the CAFE credits from small cars and EVs in order to meet impending fuel economy requirements in the U.S.

The all-new 2016 Spark debuts at the Seoul and New York auto shows this April, Chevrolet announced today. The Korean-built and designed minicar is said to have a “more sophisticated aesthetic that reflects the “changing tastes” of the segment.

Translation: the fun youth run is over as Chevrolet attempts to go upmarket with a car that was third world crude in its original versions. This is a decided gamble for a B-car that is currently selling in the $15,000-$18,000 range (except for the sale proof Spark EV that lists for $28,000). Chevrolet says that Spark attracts younger and first-time car buyers to the brand with 26% being under the age of 35.

Sales of the Spark in the U.S. are up 32% in the first two months of 2015 generic ventolin versus the same period in 2014, but that is only 5800 units as Silverado sold 82,000 in the same period. Nonetheless, General Motors needs to the CAFE credits from small cars and EVs in order to meet impending fuel economy requirements in the U.S.

Chevrolet has sold more than 1.1 million Sparks around the world since it went on sale as the Beat in India in late 2009. Today, the Spark is available in 71 markets worldwide, selling the most in South Korea, followed by the United States and Mexico.

See:

About Ken Zino

Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
This entry was posted in new vehicle and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *