*Update: this story has been edited to reflect comments made out of context in the sourced story. Holden has since responded to the claims.
Controversy is all around us, but it’s certainly not what Holden needs at the moment as it moves closer to launching the all-new 2016 Holden Spark. Specifically, the new Holden Spark has been subject to criticisms over the brand’s safety claims.
Foremost, Holden states the 2016 Spark arrives with class-leading safety features, yet the sub-compact arrives with only six standard airbags over the ten airbags equipped for U.S. motorists in the 2016 Chevrolet Spark, as reported by Drive.
And it’s not media stirring up the controversy, it’s the Australian crash-test authority, ANCAP.
ANCAP chief executive James Goodwin was displeased to see a difference in safety equipment between markets.
“We don’t like to see any level of de-speccing of safety features between markets,” he states.
“A customer in the U.S., Europe or Australia is still a customer and should be treated with the same respect.”
Holden’s response defended the claims the features are more than enough to keep Australian drivers safe.
“Safety remains Holden’s first priority and despite its small stature, Spark demonstrates this unreservedly with a wealth of safety features performing to the highest standards,” the brand states.
*Holden has since responded to the claims stating the 2016 Spark was designed to meet all ANCAP safety requirements, which differ from U.S. regulations extensively. In fact, Holden’s engineering has the brand striving for the maximum safety award in the segment.
Comments
“A customer in the U.S., Europe or Australia is still a customer and should be treated with the same respect.”
Unless the customer comes from Latin America and is able to purchase the 2016 Chevy Spark equipped with only 2 (yes, two) airbags for all versions.
GM execs need to get their facts straight.
This just showcases even further how they no longer give a toss about Australian customers. Between offering this pile of dump, the dull and poorly made Barina (that’s Aveo for those who are playing in the US) the Craptiva which has shown numerous design faults and reliability issues no matter which engine you pick, the Malibu which drives worse than a Camry, but costs more, and the Colorado which even whilst still under warranty can be seen driving around pouring out masses of diesel smoke because the Duramax is a pile of crap (which is why Isuzu don’t use it in the D-Max), unreliable and costly to repair Alloytecs ($350 for a throttle body as you can’t replace just the sensor for it – and that’s just for the part!) which the home mechanic can’t do himself as a lot of parts need to be programmed into the computer, otherwise you’re stranded. It’s no wonder the only things that are really selling are the V8 Commodore models!