Though recently refreshed for 2019, the Chevrolet Spark may have a shorter life ahead of it. A new report from Reuters published on Monday alleged General Motors has plans to replace the mini car with a crossover.
Should the news prove true, it would mark the third car potentially headed for automotive graveyard from Chevrolet. Earlier this month, news broke that GM had canceled the Chevrolet Sonic and the Chevrolet Impala continues to inch towards the chopping block. Chevrolet also sells the Spark Activ, which is meant to emulate a crossover with a slightly raised ride height.
Spark sales continue to fall in the United States as well, and with Opel now out of GM control, which sold the Spark as the Opel Karl, production may take a further hit. GM Korea currently builds the Spark.
The new model, reportedly in the cards for 2022, would be built in South Korea should the local union agree to concessions. The unit warned the union it will file for bankruptcy this month if it does not reach an agreement. GM also announced it will close the Gunsan plant and decide the fate of its other manufacturing facilities in the near future.
Meanwhile, the automaker has also proposed a $2.8 billion investment in South Korea, should the government agree to co-invest alongside GM.
Comments
The Spark is a little too small outside of adventures to and from the supermarket. GM should look at what the Japanese do with smallbutbig cars. The Suzuki Xbee is one such car.
for you americans , always bigger wins but check around the world and see how well are doing small cars!
What a surprise. No sales, no profits. Now if theyll do the same with EV’s and put that money towards trucks, suv’s and performance division youll see a big change in sales my friends.
Very discouraging news. The U.S market will have the passenger car species go exist if this soccer mom/I have a bad back/whatever other reason you can come up with CUV craze continues any further.
Thanks to you american suv crazy guys! Your demand for suv will help us buy more Honda, more Toyota passenger cars! SUV is so great for high gaz prices here in Canada! I’ll keep my 2016 Spark and will do almost 47 mpg instead of thinking that i am more safe with a suv, try to stop a suv with 3.5 tons vs a passenger car, suv are killing people on the roads!
This will aid Honda Fit sales. With Opel gone there will be no Corsa/Adam to base minis upon. This was why I dreaded Opel’s sale. GM can’t be a First World only carmaker.
Spark type cars do well in Latin America, developing Asian nations and Africa. After quiting India, Russia, Europe and other makers it seems unlikely for GM to cut further.
GM may have plans to utilize Boujun. I think SIAC gets a cut from those autos, right?
Then stay in the snow, Frenchy!
You can’t blame General Motors or any other automaker for the number of CUV/SUV’s in a brand’s lineup. They are just giving these consumers what they prefer.
It’s just unfortunate the consumers prefer CUV’s.
All we need now is an international incident (such as a conflict with North Korea) and oil prices will skyrocket. Then all those big trucks and SUV owners will be crying blood for smaller and more efficient vehicles that they let GM drop. That is when the Asians complete their killing of the U.S. manufacturers and raise prices. At that time their tiny cars will cost the U.S. buyers more than a new Silverado.
I don’t driver or ever need SUVs or heavy vehicles. I have a Equinox but I will trade it for a smaller American branded CUV, even for the Chevy Bolt EV. Now I wish every other U.S. driver would do the same to reduce gasoline consumption and protect the U.S. manufacturers.
It’s really frustrating watching everything you like disappear over the years. No wonder so many people these days are so depressed.
According to an article in the Korea Business Times early last year from what they claimed was an internal GM document, the Spark was scheduled to end production in 2022 and the Sonic in 2019. Neither were going to be replaced.
So many auto enthusiasts live in the past , when cars were the big seller . It is okay to do so but you have to realize where the marketplace is , right now ! Manufacturers have to sell lots of vehicles to remain in business , period . If they miss the hot marketplace share , it is unacceptable to the company and shareholders . I recall several years ago when a local Kia ad was in the paper . One car was shown and of the rest , about 5 were CUVs . This is a small company but they knew where the market was heading . This business is not rocket science , it really isn’t ! Toyota makes it’s big car turnover from Corollas and Camry . This is a giant company who earned it’s right to be top seller along with Honda’s Civic and Accord . They grew their products to max the interiors and concentrated on building a rock solid reliability . They earned this rep. and unless they give it away , they will sell lots . GM , Ford and Chrysler did the reverse , try out smaller cars or middies and when they didn’t sell well , replaced them , remodelled them , basically did a half assed job . They did not EARN the right . Here’s a question for the family man , when you are ready to buy a car which company or companies do you and you wife think of first ?? With your answer , put your wife’s response separate and don’t try to convince her that your choice is best !!