YouTube Video Signifies Chevrolet Could 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 concerned with making low-cost fundamental vehicles; the opposite, from when EV gross sales had been a blip on the radar and a lot of the fashions out there had been “compliance vehicles.”

However evidently “Spark” is a reputation not simply forgotten, as a brand new, very completely 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 concerning 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 totally camouflaged EV at certainly one of Colombia’s fast charging stations and acquired a bit nearer to test it out. And though the design seems to be nothing just like the Spark we knew, the registration learn exactly that: Chevrolet Spark, 2024 Mannequin. 

Since there’s no out there info concerning any Spark EV on the continent, my guess is that it is a Chinese language-made EV underneath 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 explicit design, which allowed me to pinpoint the mannequin that — I feel — is hidden underneath that cowl: the Baojun Yep Plus. 

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

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

What’s an inexpensive value? Nicely, this automotive 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 a better value (maybe within the $21,500 to $23,000 vary) might make the promote … or it could not: Chevrolet is a regionally acknowledged model, but it surely 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 in step with the Renault Stepway, a regionally produced, equally sized wannabe SUV. As of at the moment, this automotive is COP$76,740,000 ($18,770), so someplace in that vary could be required for this automotive to succeed in value parity with ICEVs. This is able to additionally put it in step with the entry-level Seagull. 

In fact, it might be that GM goes the way in which of Renault and brings it at a better value, hoping to make a bigger margin by promoting some items because of the status it maintains within the nation. That’s what occurred with the Renault Kwid E-Tech no less than.

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

Last 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 a success underneath the Chevrolet model, for instance, and it was maybe extra becoming for the identify “Spark.”

My guess (and it is a lengthy shot) is that they weren’t actually concerned with 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 carry them and outcompete BYD (and Geely, and others), or lose that market share regardless. They usually’re selecting to battle.

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

Featured picture from X consumer @Tychodefeijter.