The Chevy Spark is set for discontinuation after the 2022 model year, as GM Authority covered previously. However, prior to the departure of the Chevy Spark, GM Authority has learned that General Motors still has a huge number of vehicle orders to fill.
According to GM Authority sources, there are still 11,500 Chevy Spark orders remaining to be filled as of the beginning of March, 2022. Per previous GM Authority, the Chevy Spark will no longer be available in the U.S. following the conclusion of the 2022 model year, with production of the subcompact scheduled to come to a close on August 31st. The final order cycle for the 2022 model year will be June 16th.
The Chevy Spark is produced at GM’s Changwon plant in South Korea. The facility was recently upgraded with a new paint shop following a $7 billion investment announced in 2018, which will support the production of “next-generation global products.” To that end, further investments are expected in the future, including a new press line, car body line, and assembly line.
One of the new products set to roll out from the GM Changwon plant is an as-of-yet unannounced crossover model, which will take over the production capacity freed up with the departure of the Chevy Spark. This new crossover model may or may not be sold in North America. Given the new crossover has been in planning stages since 2018, it’s likely internal-combustion based, rather than a new electric vehicle.
To note, the Changwon plant previously produced the Damas and Labo, although production of both models ended last year.
Looking ahead, the Chevy Spark’s retirement will coincide with the discontinuation of the Chevy Trax, both of which represent Chevy’s most affordable model offerings. Following the departure of the Spark and Trax, the Chevy Trailblazer will be the Bow Tie brand’s new entry-level vehicle.
As a reminder, the Chevy Spark is powered by the atmospheric 1.4L I4 LV7 gasoline engine, rated at 98 horsepower and 94 pound-feet of torque. Under the skin is the GM Gamma 2 platform.
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Comments
It’s as if, just maybe, they should keep building this.
I agree with Nate!
With gasoline co$ting over $4 a gallon (USA) and even more overseas, maybe this ‘entry-level’ ICE vehicle should stay until a subcompact replacement is found… (??)
Too bad the electric version was discontinued. This little “City Car” is perfect where parking is at a premium.
I agree with you both as well. I actually owned several Sparks over the years and one was a 2015 EV in light blue. That was a terrific car, although not a very long range (about 90 miles). But for what I needed at that time and used it for, it was perfect.
The spark looks like a nice little affordable vehicle… not to offend anyone but who would order a spark?… when I bought my first new car I narrowed it down to 2 cars based on price mpg and reliability record. I just bought the 1st one I looked at cause that was the first time I drove a new car as I was used driving hoopties. Who’s waiting for a spark?
It’s about the only thing even remotely affordable right now. And it’s going away.
I had a 2016 that I drove to work for a couple years before I gave it to my son. It was a decent little car.
In the US, city cars/A-segment are bought by lower-income people who absolutely need reliable transportation to work. For example, factory worker or flight attendant. There if you’re late, you get fired, end of story. They often have shift work where public transportation isn’t an option.
Buying a $14k new car with a warranty, while unglamorous, is more reliable than a used car which likely will have 80k+ miles on it.
I don’t know, Kirt, sounds like 11,500 people would order a Spark.
A lot of those, probably most of them, are orders by dealers for inventory. I think what Kirk is saying is that on small cars with few options or that are just basic transportation, people aren’t sitting around dreaming up the perfect specifications. and color combination. Rather they just go in to a dealer and buy what’s in stock which is why I think these orders are mostly for dealer stock.
So what do you think C2, is GM going to fast track the remaining orders?
standard option on the base model is 10 airbags, back up camera and Apple Carplay and Android Auto, it is so far ahead in terms of quality and content versus it’s competitors and price its not even close! Probably suffered due to investment shift towards EV’s and 5 year payback cycle for investment needed for new version.
So, is there anyone out there considering a Maverick? Tbh, I would much rather have a Maverick over a Trailblazer, but that’s just my opinion.
Didn’t the spark have an electric drivetrain at one time? I think it’s a cute, small, practical and inexpensive vehicle and It has American occupants sized proportions.
You are absolutely right! The Chevrolet Spark EV was introduced in June 2013 but to only selected markets within the two states of California and Oregon.
The Spark EV got a modified with body changes into a Bolt, so that upper middle-class buyers didn’t realize they’re buying an econo-car. They wouldn’t directly see the EV premium. It worked.
Sam: That would sound like a logical thing, but it’s not correct. The Bolt is/was a totally different vehicle on a different platform. It’s actually a much larger car than the Spark as well. Because of all that, the Bolt was a much higher starting MSRP than the Spark EV as well.
Nope. You were fooled. This is one of those GM-sponsored EV myths like the Volt wasn’t a hybrid.
Drive both of them. Compare the interior of the pre-facelift versions. Also check out the side mirrors. Even the model code “G2” means it’s a Gamma II.
The Bolt was stretched and lifted to fit the batteries.
It’s also why the pre-facelift versions had crappier infotainment and no power seats. The ex-Daewoo econo-car platform didn’t have them.
There are a lot of people, in my area anyway, that travel over an hour one way to work. They need cheap high mpg transportation. Not unheard of people having 200-300k miles on a car.
My wife bought my 16-yo step-daughter a Spark. A month into her driving career she plowed into a tree likely going [at least] 40 MPH. The car’s front end was wrapped around the tree. My step-daughter and her passenger walked away injury-free. The image of the car was shocking … it made me a ‘believer’. Though I’m a 3500 & 2500 driver and I’d never buy the Spark for myself, I’m sorry to see it go. It served a needed niche and it proved to be VERY safe.
typical gm getting rid of product that customers want to force them to buy something more expensive.
had my spark for 5 years, gets 39mpg on highway
my first new car purchase was a Geo Metro in 1988. Ive had a cavalier coupe. It was great! I have a Trax now. Dont understand why they turn their backs on entry level market, yet always seem to come back to it when the market dictates. With Brandon in office, it appears the market will dictate it again sooner than later.
If only Trump had been successful in clinging on to power everything would be perfect.
With the average price of gas being north of $4 maybe GM shouldn’t kill all of their subcompacts? Ya think?? And don’t tell me they will be replaced with EV’s, that no one wants!
That’s where the reintroduction of the Bolt and Bolt EUV comes into the picture, pricewise, it should be right in line with the Trailblazer.
The Bolt costs twice what the Spark does, and has all the limitations of an EV.
People will just buy Mitsubishis and Kias instead, not Bolts.
The Mitsubishi Mirage series is the a real competitor, but we’ll see whether Nissan keeps it on or not. I doubt Mitsubishi was making money with that.
The Rio is $16,250. It’s a little more than the Spark was, but not much.
The Accent is $16,645.
Nate: The problem is finding anything such as those very base cars. As we all know, dealers don’t like to stock them because there’s no money in them. Instead, if they do stock any, they are all much more loaded up and come in over 20 grand in most cases. The thing about the spark is they kept the trims simple. Base LS with auto or manual. 1LT with auto or manual and 2LT with auto or manual. Then the Activ model which is kind of the 2LT with black plastic cladding. There are some options, but overall the Sparks could be found more easily in the cheaper forms.
That’s the case with every car right now.
That said, I’m seeing some within 50 miles of me starting at about $17k.
It”s funny the article doesn’t mention the reason they’re so far behind in production. There was a parts shortage and they stopped building Sparks for about 4 months. They’ve sold fewer than 300 in the US so far this year because there weren’t any to sell. Since there weren’t any new ones around, Carvana has been selling used ones for thousands more than brand new.
Hopefully, now that the Spark is back in production, they’ll be able to fill all of the outstanding orders before they stop making them for good.
C’est la Spark Électrique qui a fait et qui ferait ENCORE des millions d’étincelles. Difficile de comprendre l’analyse du marché de GM. Faire une BOLT EV et une presque jumelle EUV c’est absurde alors que la SPARK EV répondait à un autre niveau du MARCHÉ et se vendrait rapidement et pour longtemps à travers tout l’Amérique.
The Spark EV was cheap compared to a Bolt, but the range wasn’t useful for most people. It would never have been a huge seller.
I love my Yaris. They quit making those too. 41 mpg highway and decent power.
Maybe that plant could take on the Trailblazer. Sure could use it…
I bought a 2013 Spark after a friend recommended it as he knew I drove VW Beatles till they weren’t readily available anymore. When I first got in the Spark I remember saying this is the new Beatle. I read the car reviews comparing it to the Mini Cooper. But looking at both of them there’s no comparison for cheap reliable transportation. The Cooper missed the mark as it was twice the 12,000 dollars I paid for the Spark and didn’t get the 41 mpg either. By 2017 I had 100,000 miles onit and replaced the front brakes and the coolant tank. That’s the only parts I replaced except for filters. I looked at a new Spark and bought it for around 10,500 dollars. I ended up selling the 2017 recently because the 2013 is still going well with 160,000 miles on it. I put a 2 foot ceptic riser in the back with the seats down and it handled fine. I replaced the rear brakes and shocks around 130,000 miles. People may scoff but it’s been a real workhorse over the years. It’s not luxury but it was the car I needed. I know times are changing but I think that car should be improved upon not discontinued.
Enough people screamed about the lack of a Chevy or GMC Regular Cab, Standard Bed, because there were consumers who did not need a truck with a Top Of The Line “Bells and Whistles ” package, but they were simply economically fit while still being able to accomplish many tasks, the message was heard loud and clear by gm for those trucks to return, I never owned a Spark but I know one thing is for sure, it’s not wise at this time of so much soaring cost on just about everything out there, in order for an Automaker to kill off a vehicle that is truly economically sound and reliable at the same time when it comes to the Spark, though the Trailblazer will take it’s place for now, it’s hard to say if gm will re-introduce a vehicle that falls well below the price tag of 30k, even with an All-Electric power train.
I find this funny actually considering I looked in two Canadian provinces trying to find a new one with no luck.All the dealerships say is we can order you one. All I say is nope I don’t feel like waiting months like I have been waiting for my truck which I am canceling because I was told probably gonna be a 2023
Is this the backlog of cars ordered to be delivered or the remaining quantity available for order of the ending model before the line is removed?
I have two Sparks, and they are fantastic, reliable, efficient, inexpensive transportation.
It it a shame GM will not be selling these cars anymore, especially with the price of gasoline.
I think they are making a mistake, and more people would buy them if they knew about them. I’ve never seen any advertising for a Spark, most people that would buy one have never heard of a Spark (high school, college kids, people with RVs, city people, etc.; lost opportunity).
Concerning the “final order cycle” date of June 16….does this mean that if Chevrolet has not “picked up” a custom order by that date, they will not be able to make it? I have put in an order thru a dealer. They said Chevrolet “accepted” it, but it has not been “picked up” yet. The dealership is unaware of a “cut-off” date. So…..does anyone know….if the order does not get “picked up” by Chevrolet by the 16th, should I give up on the one I ordered?
I just got to spark delivered on Monday that had been ordered a solid few months ago. It was built actually in March and just arrived in Canada last week in June.
I would perhaps try to find a spark from any dealer that has one at this point before you can no longer get one
I’m having trouble getting a battery for my 2015 Spark…finally found someone to order one…$200.00…why! I love my little car…Turns on a dime!!!
I bought a new 2013 Spark, drove it for 4 years then bought a new 2017 which I have been considering trading for a 2022 Spark. I had no idea until I ran across this article that they were going to be discontinued 🙁 I love the styling, love the gas mileage and they are fun cars to drive. The two I have had have never given me any problems whatsoever and I am really bummed that with the price of gasoline, that GM is discontinuing them. I suppose this is just another way they think they are going to push us all in to EV’s
During this time of high fuel prices, I find it hard to believe that GM/Chevrolet would discontinue this entry-level ICE Subcompact car. It should be continued until gasoline drops to a lower level, IMHO.
Any update on these pending orders for Chevy Sparks and Malibus that have been on hold due to parts suppliers in Korea refusing to sell parts to GM Korea unless they pay more?
I have a factory order for 2022 Chevy Spark LS Manual since March. The order is in “accepted” status but not moved to production as yet.
The production line was scheduled to end on Aug 31st. Has this deadline been extended or should I assume that my factory order Spark will no longer be built?