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REPORT: Chevrolet Spark still under consideration for U.S.
The 2010 Chevy Spark is still said to be an "on-and-off thing" when it comes to the U.S., although now we are in an "on" phase. That's according to GM's Jack Keaton, the man in South Korea overseeing GM's minicar development. The miniature runabout is expected to make do with a 66-hp, 1.0-liter four-cylinder or a 78-hp, 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine that will be good for 47 mpg. Keaton's team is also investigating peripheral connectivity and, as if that weren't enough, he says, "We can even package the Spark for Big Gulp cupholders."
The issue is getting it here and on sale at the right moment. While this is an "on" phase, there are still regulatory issues and the matter of whether U.S. buyers are ready to make a minicar profitable. It will take something compelling to get Americans back into the frugal mindedness of last year, and gas isn't nearly expensive enough for that yet. The Spark's appearance in Chevy's American lineup does look to be an eventuality, though, when Keaton says "We have to start thinking now about how to meet the standards... and people will be looking for minicars and small cars to lead the way."
Nevertheless, while the Spark looks to be coming to America, it probably won't be built in America -- at least not until GM sees that the market here will be large enough to support it. We're all right with that for now; just get it here and make sure it doesn't do anything to remind us of Skid from Transformers.
[Source: Ward's Auto]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
miles 3:35PM (11/21/2009)
This is an A-class car, right?
For one of the 'big3' to bring an A-class car to the US would take keen long-term vision.
Don't see it happenin:(
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TyWright 3:37PM (11/21/2009)
Why would they waffle on this? Sell it here Bob, or keep losing market share. Sheeeeesh.
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steve clark 3:38PM (11/21/2009)
please Chevy, please dont bring this car here. ugly, ugly ugly. and lets not forget to glue a cheap looking bronze bow tie on the front.
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Aprime 4:06PM (11/21/2009)
Bronze? Cheap (implying the new 'dot-type' ones are cheap-looking)?
Is your last name Dalton?
Not THAT Matt 4:56PM (11/21/2009)
Some Toyota models (Corolla, Yaris) get (or used to get, in the case of the Corolla) "superior gas mileage" than competing cars, and they look like ass, and people still buy them.
I think for a small car this isn't THAT bad looking, and for 47mpg without having to own a Prius, it might be worth putting up for. Not to mention, $5 says your girly-girl girlfriend thinks it's "soooo cute."
Slap a $15,000 pricetag on it and sell it in the U.S. - there's no way they'd lose money on it at that price, and for the gas mileage, people would buy it.
Judy Zik 5:59PM (11/21/2009)
$5 says your Girly Girlfriend doesn't think it's so cute when she is forced to do Yoga moves to get in and out of it in heels and don't even think about any back seat recreation. Then there is the laughs when you try to go up a steep hill with 3 of your closest overweight friends packed into the thing and 66 HP of Korean built power screaming under the hood.
Americans will want this vehicle to be priced based on size and ability which makes it difficult to turn a profit. Now stick a battery pack in the back and sell this as an Urban Electric runabout and you might be on to something. People would pay a premium for that.
Not THAT Matt 7:07PM (11/21/2009)
Judy Judy Judy - I'm 6'4, backseat recreation doesn't happen *anyway*. :P
And there are plenty of short middle-aged/old ladies who'd eat this thing up - just take a drive through Wisconsin and check out all the Prius drivers around here. ;)
Shiftright 1:36AM (11/22/2009)
I agree. This thing is ugly and not in a cute way-just stupid / dorky looking. The other two concepts were so much nicer.
Sam 3:39PM (11/21/2009)
I'm surprised they have found a market where anyone would want to buy it.
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dal20402 4:58PM (11/21/2009)
Um, you realize gas costs $6 to $8 a gallon in much of the rest of the world, right? Not to mention that streets are way smaller and more crowded.
Aprime 7:15PM (11/21/2009)
But travelling distances are much shorter as opposed to here. It's got little to do with gas prices and a lot more with the fact that Europeans are losing spending power overtime, thanks to socialism.
Rev 8:31PM (11/21/2009)
Ah, yes. Evil socialism is the cause of high oil prices.
Thank you for taking a break from FauxNews to post.
I just don't hear enough use of the S-word these days...
Aprime 9:18AM (11/22/2009)
Rev: Yes.
Did you already forget about YEUROUP's taxes (on FUEL namely)? Or Yeuroup's high inflation (y'know, like Britain's 5.7% while countries like Canada (still WS - and my home country, so there goes your DERRRR FAUX NEWS accusation) have 1.X?)
'Course you did, because you're saying this isn't the result of an overly large welfare state.
Anyone who downvoted me for claiming it's because of socialism is officially uneducated about economics and the governments of Europe.
starfury 3:46PM (11/21/2009)
No thanks to this car, thank you very much.
The Aveo is bad enough.
I'll take a Fiesta please.
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Epsilon-Not 3:47PM (11/21/2009)
I actually like how this car looks... now, I prefer to drive something bigger, so I wouldn't buy one, but I wouldn't be disgusted if I happened to see one on the road, either.
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Mike 5:33PM (11/21/2009)
I like the looks too, and compared to the Smart is down right sexy! In fact, everything about this car seems (can't say for sure) better than the Smart.
4 doors, 4 passenger, more cargo room (rear seats down), better styling
STOP thinking about it and make it happen. A car like this from Chevy might actually change people's minds, especially in big cities like NY and LA. Get Zip car to buy some and you might really change their mind about Chevy.
ocnblu 3:56PM (11/21/2009)
This car will only be tolerated, not loved, by Americans if it is foisted on us. Nobody wants to drive a penalty box. CAFE standards have not worked in the past, and they never will. We should be able to buy what we want and can afford. Simple as that. How much evidence needs to be presented before some people accept that fact? Americans love larger vehicles and we are not going to change. Deal with it!
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cody 4:13PM (11/21/2009)
I'm an American, and I do not love large vehicles. You do not speak for me, Please do not generalize.
click_playaz 4:36PM (11/21/2009)
I don't like small hatch like this one either.
dal20402 4:59PM (11/21/2009)
When gas is $8/gallon, which will happen in the next 20 years, you will learn to love small vehicles in a hurry.