REPORT: Electric Chevy Spark to get its fire from... Reva?
2010 Chevy Spark - Click above for high-res image gallery
Reva, the little electric car company from India whose product has withstood ridicule from the likes of automotive entertainer Jeremy Clarkson, seems to be working very hard of late to turn those jeers into cheers. Not only will it be showing off two new models with fancy telematic systems and a "wireless charging" setup in Frankfurt next week, but news now comes it may be supplying GM India with the drivetrain components necessary to electrify the Chevy Spark. According to The Economic Times, if the Detroit headquarters gives the green light, the sub-continent subsidiary will enter into a joint venture with Reva Electric Car Company in what would be the first such deal for The General since those pesky bankruptcy problems.
If the deal does go ahead, we hope GM will use the 2010 version of the Spark rather than the current incredibly mediocre-looking re-badged Daewoo Matiz version. Looks count, and it would be embarrassing if the global Goliath racked up lower sales numbers than the David with which it had partnered. However it works out for GM, the agreement would be a boon to Reva, adding revenue and perhaps even allowing it to say arrivederci to their Rodney Dangerfield reputation. Thanks to Aviv for the tip!
Gallery: 2010 Chevy Spark
[Source: The Economic Times]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bobmarley 9:56AM (9/14/2009)
Does anyone else think this car is hideous?
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UCJR 10:13AM (9/14/2009)
It wouldn't be so bad if we got to see it in a different color, without roof rails, and with some different wheels. The car has a chance to be somewhat 'sporty' if it looked the part. Right now, it just looks like a refreshed Aveo.
Danimal 10:17AM (9/14/2009)
I think it looks awesome compared to other cars in it's segment.
mortonb11 11:12AM (9/14/2009)
compared to what?...yaris, fit, aveo, cube?.......than no...it looks great. Call me crazy but i like this, and the kia soul for this small segment. What else is out there?
alex 11:04AM (9/14/2009)
Take a look at the Spark in this video:
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/gm-satisfaction-guaranteed-official-commercial-reveals-future/
I think it looks much better in the ad than it does in these PR photos. All of Chevy's PR photos have ridiculously high contrast to make all the edges pop... with the Camaro, it made it look cool. With this it makes it look worse than real life.
Shiftright 11:18AM (9/14/2009)
I do!...It's grossly misproportioned, with front end trying way too hard to cash a check of agression the rest of the body can't cash. Looks too much like an Aveo to me. I Think GM built the wrong concept. The other two were much better.
Polly Prissy Pants 12:37PM (9/14/2009)
Wasn't this the car that played Jar Jar Binks in Transformers 2?
Brian 10:35AM (9/14/2009)
This POS makes the Caliber look good.
General Motors is so screwed! How long until another C11?
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mortonb11 12:23PM (9/14/2009)
what do you prefer?
Brian 11:44AM (9/14/2009)
I would prefer a Honda Fit.
mortonb11 12:31PM (9/14/2009)
really?...well thats interesting...the fit looks like an uglier version of this! wether you think this is ugly or gorgeous at least its interesting.
Brian 12:59PM (9/14/2009)
The Fit is only slightly better looking, but you get Honda quality, reliability, service, and the peace of mind that the company you're buying the car from isn't going to go under.
Avinash machado 10:44AM (9/14/2009)
Is Brian our old buddy Sea Urchin with a new username?
Reply
Blacksabre 10:48AM (9/14/2009)
Yes, Bob...it's hideous.
Yup...it'd be nice to see it in a decent color, instead of diarrea green...although I'm pretty sure even a color/wheel/roof rail change wouldn't help this Transformers abortion.
The Beat/Spark/whatever cars had to be designed by Fritz Henderson...they fit in perfectly with all of Fritz's other screwups...Pontiac and the G8 being prominent examples...with the cancellation of performance cars being right in there.
Car companies are selling an emotional product. Truck buyers are realists. Car buyers are romantics. You buy a car not...Fritz, take note...because it has high mileage or because it has great crash test ratings...you buy a car because it looks good, drives great, and has enough unique and special features to make you think you're smarter than your neighbors. Fritz Henderson is the reincarmation of Roger Smith...a CFO beancounter without a clue, who thinks cutting costs sells cars.
GM will survive, but Fritz Henderson won't be the reason. and neither will this car.
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Shamdiddly 10:52AM (9/14/2009)
I think is looks sharp and has great potential to grab first-time buyer business away from Scion. If GM brings the Spark for sale in the U.S. and offers eclectic packages and options for a good price, I think it could be a big hit.
Reply
Brian 10:55AM (9/14/2009)
What kind of first time buyer is going to get a Chevy over a Scion, Honda, or even Hyundai? People under 30 are already loyalists to the transplants and see the "domestics" as cars for old people, rednecks, and those that don't know any better. And they're right.
Shamdiddly 11:15AM (9/14/2009)
I prefer not to discuss topics with mentally disadvantaged persons such as yourself; it gets too much spittle on the window of your short bus.
Brian 11:18AM (9/14/2009)
Anybody who thinks GM will survive without a real (not taxpayer financed) Chapter 11 bankruptcy is the mentally challenged one.
How many decades have we been hearing "We're REALLY going to have a good small car this time. We swear, we promise! This is it!" and then get Vegas, Cavaliers, and Cobalts? Answer that one.
mortonb11 12:32PM (9/14/2009)
Brian
So, are you aware that honda is now asking for Japanese gov assistance... http://www.newser.com/story/52383/honda-hops-on-bailout-bandwagon.html
oh wait this article doesn't have any moving pictures, you might want to find someone intelligent enough to read and educate themselves on matters that they speak about to help you with this
Brian 12:55PM (9/14/2009)
First of all, I'm not a Japanese taxpayer so I don't really care if they want to help their automotive industry. I'm not paying for it, and in fact benefit from it as a consumer.
Secondly, a real loan to a viable company is very different from writing them a check so they can keep the lights on, and then nationalizing them. Whereas the Japanese govt. will get all its money back on that loan since Honda is a viable, successful company, we're not going to see a penny of the Government Motors bailout bucks back. GM is a zombie company, just accept it already. It's doomed.