YouTube Video Indicates Chevrolet May Be Reviving the Chevy Spark EV in Latin America

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The Chevrolet Spark was Chevrolet’s smallest, most inexpensive mannequin; the Spark EV was its underpowered EV model, constructed to adjust to California’s rules. Each are relics of a forgotten time: one, from when GM was nonetheless enthusiastic about making low cost primary vehicles; the opposite, from when EV gross sales have been a blip on the radar and many of the fashions accessible have been “compliance cars.”

However it appears that evidently “Spark” is a reputation not simply forgotten, as a brand new, very totally different Spark EV has been not too long ago noticed in Colombia.

Chevy Spark EV Noticed within the Wild

There’s a small however rising ecosystem of Latin American EV followers who publish YouTube movies of … nicely, something they see relating to electrical vehicles. Most of them are EV house owners, individuals who promote some aftermarket merch, or each.

One among these channels not too long ago discovered a completely camouflaged EV at one in all Colombia’s fast charging stations and acquired a bit nearer to test it out. And although the design seems nothing just like the Spark we knew, the registration learn exactly that: Chevrolet Spark, 2024 Mannequin.

Since there’s no accessible data relating to any Spark EV on the continent, my guess is that this can be a Chinese language-made EV beneath a few of Chevrolet’s joint ventures in China. However, which one?

Baojun Yep Plus?

The camouflage works nicely, however the entrance lights have a really specific design, which allowed me to pinpoint the mannequin that — I feel — is hidden beneath that cowl: the Baojun Yep Plus.

Additional particulars on the video led me to imagine that that is right: the design within the second-row home windows matches that of the Baojun, the size is about what you’d anticipate, and there’s even the identical rack on high of the automobile.

It is a 3.99-meter-long wannabe SUV that in China comes with a 42kWh LFP battery and a 75kW motor. Bought beneath the SAIC–GM enterprise, this isn’t a very widespread mannequin in China, however beneath the Chevrolet badge, and at an inexpensive value, it may undoubtedly conquer the Colombian market.

What’s an inexpensive value? Nicely, this automobile is barely longer and has a barely bigger battery than the top-of-the-line BYD Seagull, which is bought at COP$87,000,000 ($21,300), so the next value (maybe within the $21,500 to $23,000 vary) might make the promote … or it might not: Chevrolet is a regionally acknowledged model, however it lacks the EV clout BYD has been gaining. Maybe a extra aggressive value vis à vis the Seagull is required.

So far as ICEVs go, the Baojun Yep Plus (or ought to we already name it the Chevy Spark EV?) could be roughly according to the Renault Stepway, a regionally produced, equally sized wannabe SUV. As of at present, this automobile is COP$76,740,000 ($18,770), so someplace in that vary could be required for this automobile to succeed in value parity with ICEVs. This may additionally put it according to the entry-level Seagull.

After all, it might be that GM goes the way in which of Renault and brings it at the next value, hoping to make a bigger margin by promoting some models because of the status it maintains within the nation. That’s what occurred with the Renault Kwid E-Tech at the very least.

However that technique solely actually labored earlier than the Chinese language heavy hitters landed (notably the Seagull). With bulletins that the BYD Yuan Up could also be near its arrival within the area, this rebranded Chevy Spark EV should supply good worth to be aggressive.

Closing Ideas

I’ve been questioning for 3 years now why it has taken GM and different legacy automakers so lengthy to take their joint-venture EVs out of China and into growing markets. The Wuling Hongguang may’ve been successful beneath the Chevrolet model, for instance, and it was maybe extra becoming for the title “Spark.”

My guess (and this can be a lengthy shot) is that they weren’t actually enthusiastic about cannibalizing their inexpensive ICEVs, which dominate the Latin American market … till the arrival of low cost Chinese language EVs began threatening that market. Now it’s both deliver them and outcompete BYD (and Geely, and others), or lose that market share regardless. They usually’re selecting to combat.

In any case, I’ll allow you to guys know when this automobile is formally offered and at what value. Till then, keep tuned!

Featured picture from X user @Tychodefeijter.