China-made New Chevy Spark goes on sale

Shanghai, December 23 (Gasgoo.com) SAIC-GM-Wuling will launch its New Chevrolet Spark today, said xinhuanet.com. The new 1.2L mini-car model comes with the standard, comfort and luxury editions priced from 40,000 yuan ($5,860) to 50,000 yuan.

The New Chevy Spark mini-car made by China's major mini-vehicle maker SAIC-GM-Wuling Auto Co., is equipped with the B-series 1.2 engine produced by this joint venture of General Motors. The low-emission engine based on the global GM engine platform is cost-effective, fuel-efficient but powerful. The P-TEC engine generates 52.2 kW/l, which is the highest in its category.

The joint venture's 2008 Chevy Spark model is driven by the imported 0.8L and 1.0L engines, which have raised the China-made mini Spark's cost. The New Chevy Spark equipped by the locally produced engine is expected to sell at lower prices between 40,000 yuan and 50,00 yuan and to replace the current 1.0L Spark model in the Chinese market.

Some 4S stores said that they have started to receive orders now for the New Chevy Spark mini model, with a deposit of 2,000 yuan. Buyers can pick up the car in one week after placing the order. Sales staff added that the first batch of the new mini cars to arrive at the 4S stores will be mainly the comfort and luxury editions.  

SAIC-GM-Wuling manufactures a range of Wuling brand mini-trucks and minivans as well as the Chevrolet Spark mini-car. In early August this year, GM announced that its SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture had begun exporting the Chevrolet N200 minivan from China to Peru.

SAIC-GM-Wuling was established in 2002, with GM China holding a 34% stake in the venture, SAIC 50.1% and Wuling Motors 15.9%. In 2007, the venture sold 548,945 vehicles, topping the sales among China's mini-vehicle producers for the second straight year.