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Chevrolet Spark Sales Decrease 8 Percent To 6,423 Units In Q1 2019

Chevrolet Spark sales decreased in the United States and South Korea, and increased in Mexico during the first quarter of 2019.

Chevrolet Spark Sales - Q1 2019 - United States

In the United States, Chevrolet Spark deliveries totaled 6,423 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 8 percent compared to 6,945 units sold in Q1 2018.
MODEL Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 Q1 2019 Q1 2018
SPARK -7.52% 6,423 6,945

Chevrolet Spark Sales - Q1 2019 - Canada

In Canada, Chevrolet Spark deliveries totaled 1,600 units in Q1 2019, an increase of about 101 percent compared to 796 units sold in Q1 2018.
MODEL Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 Q1 2019 Q1 2018
SPARK +101.00% 1,600 796

Chevrolet Spark Sales - Q1 2019 - Mexico

In Mexico, Chevrolet Spark deliveries totaled 2,448 units in Q1 2019, an increase of about 54 percent compared to 1,593 units sold in Q1 2018.
MODEL Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 Q1 2019 Q1 2018
SPARK +53.67% 2,448 1,593

Chevrolet Spark Sales - Q1 2019 - South Korea

In South Korea, Chevrolet Spark deliveries totaled 7,241 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 12 percent compared to 8,264 units sold in Q1 2018.
MODEL Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 Q1 2019 Q1 2018
SPARK -12.38% 7,241 8,264

2017 Chevrolet Spark Activ 002

Competitive Sales Comparison

Chevrolet Spark sales significantly underperformed its segment, which is comprised of two vehicles, during the first quarter. Despite that, the small hatchback remained the best-selling model in the segment, accounting for 51 percent market share – down from 56 percent a year ago.

Sales Numbers - Mainstream City Cars - Q1 2019 - United States

MODEL Q1 19 / Q1 18 Q1 19 Q1 18 Q1 19 SHARE Q1 18 SHARE
CHEVROLET SPARK -7.52% 6,423 6,945 51% 56%
MITSUBISHI MIRAGE +12.83% 6,242 5,532 49% 44%
TOTAL +1.51% 12,665 12,477

However, the Mitsubishi Mirage was very close behind. Its 13 percent growth spurt resulted in a 49 percent market share, up from 44 percent in the year-ago quarter.

The city car segment expanded 1.5 percent to 12,665 units during Q1 2019.

2017 Chevrolet Spark Activ interior live at 2016 LA Auto Show 002

The GM Authority Take

Though Chevrolet Spark sales volume enabled the diminutive hatchback to remain the best-selling model in its segment during the quarter, we aren’t fans of the downward trend that the vehicle experienced during the timeframe in the United States market. We attribute the decline to any of the following factors:

  • A decrease in fleet sales
  • Unappealing incentives in the U.S. market
  • Current market trends that strongly favor CUVs/SUVs at the expense of other vehicle types, such as sedans and hatchbacks
  • Competitive pressures from the Spark’s primary rival, the Mitsubishi Mirage, which posted a 13 percent uptick in sales to 6,242 units
  • Supply constraints, with GM potentially diverting some Spark allocation to Mexico – where the vehicle saw sales grow over 50 percent

Additionally, sales in South Korea continued to slide. We initially believed that this was a result of decreased consumer confidence in Chevrolet/GM following the automaker’s very public and negatively-perceived Korean restructuring efforts, which took place in the first several months of 2018. The actions resulting in the closure of one manufacturing facility – the GM Gunsan plant – and financial assistance by the Korean Development Bank. However, we no longer believe that perception-based issues related to the restructuring are behind the decline in Spark sales in the market.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Spark Q1 2018 sales
  • In the United States, there were 76 selling days in Q1 2019 and 76 selling days in Q1 2018
  • South Korea sales figures reflect actual vehicle registrations rather than wholesales
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Comments

  1. Buying a 1LT on Wednesday with $2k incentive from Chevy.

    Reply
  2. I will not buy one just because the previous body style was SOOOO much better… Companies keep halting production on models that they think ppl dont want any more…. It is not that we dont want the size or options.. Often its going so far from the original style of Spark that looked more Aggressive. This looks like it took its looks from its ugly cousin the Aveo.

    Reply
  3. Caribbean Blue is what I decided on. It’s worth the extra $395 to me but they have so many colors for the Spark,enough to satisfy most.

    Reply
  4. We have a 2016 Spark. It’s a great little car for the money. Initially, we were aiming to have a Mirage as a cheap, simple commuter. But the Spark is so much more refined, comfortable, and feature laden. Being based on an Opel platform, it’s actually fun to drive and has great handling.

    I hope this annoying CUV trend ends soon. There’s so many good small cars that get overlooked

    Reply

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