The U.S. market is expecting the Chevrolet Spark to arrive in the middle of 2012, but with some slight visual tweaks from what we’ve seen previously in other markets. And while we don’t know exactly what will power the U.S.-spec version (hopefully it’s not a meek 1.2-liter, 80 horsepower engine), a photo on GM’s media page has revealed most of the new front fascia completely uncloaked, and we’ve decided to share it with you.
Of course, this little car isn’t for everyone, but for those in the market, do you find the new look attractive?
Comments
Huh, not sure what to think, maybe to agressive for this car and market. This is going to provide basic transportation, over dramitized design themes don’t always work especially in this format.
Cars like this should be clean with a hint of classic appeal, I believe the other original concepts that the spark/beat where presented with conveyed that. The spark is trying to hard to be a modern take on the commuter car. They need to package this right otherwise people here will be turned off, and see it as a cheapo commuter.
“This is going to provide basic transportation, over dramitized design themes don’t always work especially in this format.”
Can you say Hyundai Sonata or even Elantra? 🙂
I thought it looks like a mini sonic
Vic – Would you buy one of these, why or why not: just curious…
I won’t because I’m too big for that car.
Those are some sure funky Nissan Bug looking headlights! With an Audi VW like drop grille. Not really attractive to me anyway. But I am sure some might like it.
Hey Manoli, how do you get to the media page on GM?
Freddy: http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.html
It’s hard to gauge how the Sonic and Spark will be received in the US market. Both Toyota and Honda are vulnerable in the small car department and losing sales to Hyundai, Kia and Ford. For the first time in ages, people are seeing Honda and Toyota as just another bland commodity, not the untarnished purveyors of the best, brightest and most reliable transportation.
That leaves an opening for GM/Chevrolet to gain market share and undo the damage done by the Aveo. I want to see this car NOT sold exclusively to rental fleets. It seems that every time GM has a cool new product, it goes to rental fleets first. It happened with the Buick La Crosse here in LA. I went to the last Buick dealer in Metro LA to try and check it out, but they didn’t have any and had only one coming in. But if I went to the rental companies at LAX, I could find a fleet of them.
While I understand wanting to get the product out for people to see them, if they are all going to rental fleets, then it will perpetuate the belief that GM makes substandard products that people don’t want to buy for themselves. Marketing will be key as well the perceived quality of materials, build and class-leading driving characteristics. Fuel economy will be very important too.
I think that buyers of econoboxes are looking for some style and comfort. They aren’t exactly to my liking, but they may work.
The fleets get most new vehicles first because it’s an easy sale… heck, sales. I remember two years ago, when Mark Reuss (and Susan Docherty) took over GM NA with Ed Whitacre at the helm.
There was a conference call where they said that their new strategy involves 1) less rebates/cash on the hood (profitability), 2) building in accordance with true market demand and 3) reducing reliance on fleet sales.
We’ll see how this pans out, I guess.
That said, I’m genuinely excited for the Sonic and the Spark. I just wish there was more “excitement” at GM about sports/performance variants of the compact and sub-compact vehicles.
I have to agree with Todd, this is not 1989 where you can throw econogarbage at people and watch them goble it up. The fact that GM is making a strong effort in this market is commendable, but making cars to fill a hole isn’t always the answere. I don’t think BMW was thinking we have to fill a hole with the Mini brand, they were thinking about creating a brand and a niche in the market that didn’t exist. This is what GM needs to do with its vehicles. The only Chevy with any lasting brand recognition is the Malibu at this time, that is rediculous. No one knows what a Sonic is or a Spark. The Cruze will be recognized soon, but most consumers still probably wouldn’t know it.
Chevy needs lasting and recognizable branding attached to quality and impressivly modern vehicles. Time will tell where things will stand for the Sonic and Spark.
New nameplates take time to catch on and for people to put the name to the car. I think this will happen with time. So the branding piece is well on its way.
Quality and the modern piece you’re describing is 99% there. There are a few features, for instance, that the Cruze and Camaro lack compared to the Focus and Mustang, for instance — but I’m more than certain those will come with the next generation once GM isn’t playing “catch up” and is actually on the offensive.
Good point, I hope your right. Chevy has already improved its image a ton, I look forward to see what the brand will look like in 4 to 5 years, If the world doesn’t end in 2012… 🙂
Alex; Good point, I guess what I would say to that is does it fit Chevrolet. Just looking at some of the contours on the front and added chrome looking piece, what is that how does it tie into the rest of the car ect. How does this tie into the rest of the Chevy branding scheme ect…
Hyundai is clearly stating that this is there new design direction over all, that is respectable. Chevys design language is all over the map…
Yepp, absolutely! We have to remember that just until this year, Chevy was a regional brand, not a global one.
So the Spark was designed/engineered by GMDAT, the Volt was done by GMNA, and the Cruze was a global effort if there ever were one. I think that the Chevy lineup had finally gone global, we’ll see a standardization of design language with the next-gen of vehicles.
And if that ain’t good enough, the Spark has a bow tie and the Chevy Corp. Grille! Right? 🙂
Good enough, go spark!!!
WHATS WRONG WITH IT …EVERYONE’S A CRITIC
Skip, this updated front end is a little over designed, I like the car overall, but can’t imagine an 80hp engine here in the states.
80 HP in the city is just fine, no?
80 hp is most likely fine in the city, but most of us drive on highways with our cars regardless of where we live.
I’ve seen 74hp Ladas go 120 KPH. Sure, the engine will scream kind of loudly, but it’s more than possible to drive 60-80 mph on a small motor with little HP.
I think the Spark will be perfect to go head-to-head with the smart car (albeit, the convertible might still swoon those who want an open top).
I also see the Spark as a “City Car” where people want an urban commuter car for those hard to get parking places and who live in those tight, urban congested cities. Isn’t that what Cadillac is doing to see if there is a market for the Urban Luxury Concept Car?
http://www.bestwallpapers2u.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2010-Cadillac-Urban-Luxury-Concept-Car-Pics-4-Wallpaper-Desktop.jpg
As an owner of a smart car, it’s not a vehicle recommended for long (1 hour +), freeway commutes unless you don’t mind the harsh ride over freeway expansion joints *ow!*
That’s why I’m trading my smart in for a Chevy Sonic LTZ Turbo!
I don’t think Caddy will ever make the ULC — at least not in the foreseeable future (10-15 years)…
Other than that, these are definitely city cars through and through. You can take them on highways, but they’re best for the city.
PS: I can do you one better than the pic you linked to with this:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/05/cadillac-ulc-urban-luxury-concept-overview-video/
The supermini market is pretty small in the US. When anyone talks about “competing” with smart, you have to realize that it’s a dying brand in this market. Last month, smart sold a whopping 469 units. Y-T-D, all of 3,757 units.
The Fiat sold 2,773 500s last month with a Y-T-D number of 13,861. MINI is doing rather well, but 100% of its sales increases for the year are due to the Countryman SUV (the biggest MINI). MINI sold 3,999 vehicles in September – more that the entire Y-T-D sales for smart. Y-T-D MINI sales are 41,635.
Honda does a bit better with the Fit. In September, Honda sold 4734 Fits with a Y-T-D number of 47,968.
Ford does well with the Fiesta. September sales are 3,967 with Y-T-D sales of 57,225.
Now Toyota is rolling out the new Scion iQ – the closest competitor to the smart car. Let’s face it, Toyota needs to do MUCH better than the ForTwo in order to make the iQ a profitable niche in the US market.
Even if you add up all the supermini and subcompact models offered in the US, it’s only a fraction of overall sales. Chevy has a tough battle for market share with the Spark and the Sonic. Americans still want bigger SUVs, CUVs or pickup trucks; but as we’ve seen in the past, when gas prices spike, people jump ship for smaller cars and hybrids with better fuel economy.
I agree with your overall assessment that the “micro”car could be a tough sell.
That said, let me tell you why I would have purchased a Spark over a smart had they been introduced to the United States at the same time.
First, Dealer Availability! Chevrolet has a solid dealer network around the country. smart (they say the company’s name is spelled in all lower-case), has very few. In my case there is only one dealer in the entire state of Washington.
Second, the Spark seats 4 where the smart only seats 2. That also would have been a big game changer for me.
Why buy such a diminutive tiny car?
Parking!
Where I live and use to commute, parking came at a premium. And how many times have you seen a parking area, only to find that a larger SUV next to it has spilled from their spot into that spot, making it only available for a micro car or about two motorcycles? *raising hand* I have many, many, times! And I’ve been able to parked my smart car there while others have had to pass it by!
Another reason is our state ferry system offers reduced fares for vehicles under 14 feet long.
Now I’m in the minority. I ride motorcycles and I love small cars and although the micro car ownership may be in a very small percentage group, I’m glad that Chevrolet is FINALLY going to cover that end of the spectrum (albeit Korean made). I’ve been waiting for Chevrolet to fill in that void since the Metro 2dr hatchback was discontinued in 2001.
So while I agree with your assessment that it is a small market, I wouldn’t dismiss it altogether. I think that small market will be a solid one.
Ah, dealer network. In my ‘hood, it’s much easier to get to Beverly Hills Mercedes and smart than it is to find ANY GM dealer.
Parking is a big issue, depending on your city. My friend in Paris has the 1st generation ForTwo because in Paris, you NEED a car that size to find a parking space. The rest of the time, you can easily get around with the Metro or the bus system. Most US cities, with the exception of NY and maybe SF, don’t offer great public transit and an environment where small cars get the parking space others can’t fit in.
I’m all for the premium small car. I had a MINI Clubman S for two years. I hated it, but most of that was due to the run-flat tires, stiff suspension and out-of-control torque steer. I also ended up needing something slightly bigger with 4 doors. That said, I’d buy a small car again if I could find one that mitigated the problems I had with the MINI. Something like the Audi A1 if it ever comes to the US.
Touché!
And if I had my choice of a small car, it would be without a doubt the Mercedes Benz “A” Class!
Sadly… Damlier didn’t think there would be a market here for a Mercedes that small.
Yet they gave the green light to import their smart car… Hmm…
Lorbeer – keep us updated on how you like the Sonic, it is too bad the Spark is not here yet, good grief already.