General Motors advised Chevrolet dealers to focus on ordering the 2021 Chevy Spark in the LS trim level in April, GM Authority has learned.
Specifically, the recommendation was for dealers to order 60 percent of their Chevy Spark inventory in the (base) LS trim level with no options. The remaining 40 percent should be in the higher LT trim level. Of the LT cars, 20 percent (or eight percent of the total) are to be of the Special Edition, which was introduced in 2020. Curiously, there currently appears to be no focus on ordering the Spark Activ trim.
| LS | 1LT | ACTIV | 2LT |
|---|
- All models offered with 5-speed manual or with CVT
The focus on the LS model suggests that price is a major consideration for shoppers, which would make sense given that Spark is the most affordable of all the GM models sold in the U.S. and Canada. The base LS with five-speed manual transmission, priced to start at $14,595 including $995 destination charge, is the lowest priced car currently on sale in the U.S. The cheapest version of the Mitsubishi Mirage is $695 more expensive at $15,290, including destination.
Sales Numbers - Mainstream City Cars - Q1 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q1 21 / Q1 20 | Q1 21 | Q1 20 | Q1 21 SHARE | Q1 20 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET SPARK | +23.02% | 11,505 | 9,352 | 62% | 65% |
| MITSUBISHI MIRAGE | +49.20% | 6,932 | 4,646 | 38% | 32% |
| FIAT 500 | -98.78% | 4 | 327 | 0% | 2% |
| TOTAL | +28.73% | 18,441 | 14,325 |
The Chevy Spark is by no means GM’s most profitable model, but it is dominating the mainstream city cars segment in the U.S. With the discontinuation of the Fiat 500, the Mitsubishi Mirage represents the only competition. Although the Japanese model’s share of the segment increased six percentage points to 38 percent in Q1 2021,, it is still being outsold by the Spark by nearly two to one.
The Spark is assembled at the GM Changwon factory in South Korea, and rides on the GM Gamma 2 platform. The only available engine is the naturally aspirated 1.4L I4 LV7, which makes 98 horsepower and 94 pound-feet of torque, and drives exclusively the front wheels. Customers have the choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Very few changes are expected for the next model year, so the 2022 Chevy Spark is likely to differ from the current version only to the extent of having a handful of new exterior colors, and maybe some slight changes to equipment within trim levels.
Be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Spark news, Chevrolet news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
I think most people would rather just buy a used car with a lot more features and better materials and reliability than buy that
I’ve seen some of these for sale new on autotrader for 5-6k. Considering they are a new vehicle, I can see how that would be enticing
Probably not a popular opinion, but I’d personally take a 5-spd Spark over many of lowercase gm’s offerings. It’s less than half the price of a Bolt. It’s significantly cheaper than a Trailblazer… They are definitely smol, but if you can make due with limited space they are great city drivers. At 15k they really are a great deal. It might not be the most profitable vehicle for gm, but they’re definitely still making a significant profit. Win win.
A good car with enough interior space for a city car even if I rather like the sonic.
They are also a lot of fun to drive.
If you buy an LS for more than 13k then you got ripped off. It is quicker than my 05 Pontiac vibe (for reference), but only slightly. It can fit a car seat behind the passenger side and a folded stroller in the trunk area. It has carplay/android auto, and a very good backup camera. i like mine. Its cheap (not cheaply built) and usable
I disagree with the price being a ripoff. I do remember they used to start at 12-13k, but that was the older 3rd gen. Now-a-days, without the Sonic or Cruze being offered by lowercase gm, it’s very hard to find an affordable vehicle that is competitive in the segment. Buy ’em well you can because lowercase gm has a funny way discontinuing cars people want.
Based on what others are paying for an LS, unless it has a lot of options, then I think 13k is too much. If you are talking about higher trims, then even 15k is fair. But they are very cheap used (even slightly so) so it wouldn’t make much to spend so much on an LS. That being said, to your point, if there is not a lot of options then one might not have a choice.
My area they’re going for $10-12k on discount because the dealers rely on the trucks.
That thing has the structural integrity of a Coors Lite beer can. In a world populated by trucks and SUV’s driven by distracted drivers, you better keep your eyes open and check your six!
Full-size SUVs and trucks only make up 35% of the market.
I agree with you h4cksaw that for an experienced driver, its a great city car.
I am waiting for it when they start to release it in Uzbekistan