Few years ago when Chevrolet Spark was launched amidst a huge gala event, it was expected to do well in the automobile market of India. But it didn’t do all that good, thus the firm has now decided to bring in a new facelifted version of this car. Lowell Paddock, President and Managing Director, General Motors indicated at the recent launch of the Tavera Neo 3 that the Chevrolet Spark will be re-launched with an excellent facelift. At the International Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi, Mr. Vikas Jain, Director, Sales, General Motors India also was of the opinion that Chevrolet Spark requires a new look, but he didn’t have any specific details on what should be improved.
It is interesting to know that Chevrolet Spark has a history of more than 10 years now. 1998 was the year when Daewoo Matiz, a five-door hatchback by South Korean auto-manufacturer GM Korea, was produced to replace Daewoo Tico. It was the first generation of Spark. Then Chevrolet Matiz M200 arrived in 2005, which was in the market till 2007. After that Chevrolet Matiz M 250 took over the M200 and is still there in the market. Chevrolet Spark was officially born now. This was the second generation. In 2009 Spark became a brand of the firm and was introduced to the market in full glory with different variants, this was the third generation. Manufacture of the new Spark in India commenced at Ahmadabad in the Halol plant. There are rumors as well that GM India is in the process of building a hybrid electric variant of Spark in collaboration with Reva Electric Car Company.
In the recent years Spark has been loaded with fuel options, powertrains, dashboard and interior color. However, the thing that this car has been missing something despite these upgrades was a fresh look. The firm is hoping to make wonders once the car gets a facelift. It is a matter of great concern for Chevrolet that Maruti Suzuki India is working on its all-time best-seller 800cc model small car, which still rules the heart of its follower for its compactness and low-price. The developed and advance model by Maruti Suzuki will ultimately replace Maruti Alto’s few variants as well as Maruti 800, which will create trouble for Chevrolet Spark for it falls in the same price bracket as the Alto and 800. Indeed this is going to be a big pressure for Spark. Hyundai Eon has also hit the sales of Spark lately when it was launched in the Indian market.
For now the company has to do a thorough facelift of its Spark since it has already hit the bottom and there is no other way round for it to be uplifted to its old glory. The firm has its studio for designing in Bangalore, which may change the fate of this car. Let us see what happens in near future.