The Chevrolet Spark is the city car that General Motors’ Korean subsidiary built from 1998 to 2022. It started life as the Daewoo Matiz, became the Chevrolet Spark in most markets, and in its later generations served as the basis for Opel, Vauxhall and VinFast models as well.
Chevrolet Spark at a glance
| Production | 1998–2022 |
|---|---|
| Maker | GM Korea, formerly Daewoo |
| First name | Daewoo Matiz |
| Generations | four |
| Other names | Holden Barina Spark and Holden Spark |
| Electric version | Spark EV, 2013, California and Oregon |
| Related models | Opel Karl, Vauxhall Viva, VinFast Fadil |
| Korean class | light car, with tax and parking benefits |
| Role in the range | the smallest Chevrolet, below the Aveo |
History of the Chevrolet Spark
The car was developed by Daewoo and introduced in 1998 as the Daewoo Matiz. In 2002 General Motors bought Daewoo Motors, which had already been selling the car under several GM marques and nameplates, and the little hatchback became part of the global GM range.
The third generation was the first to be sold worldwide, prominently as the Chevrolet Spark in North America and as the Holden Barina Spark in Australia and New Zealand. The fourth generation arrived in 2015 and was sold as the Holden Spark in Australia and New Zealand. In Korea the Spark qualifies as a light car under the country’s regulations, which limit size and engine capacity in exchange for tax and parking benefits.
In June 2013 Chevrolet launched a limited-production all-electric Spark EV in selected markets in California and Oregon. It was the first all-electric passenger car General Motors had marketed since the EV1 was discontinued in 1999, and the first that GM offered for retail sale, since the EV1 had only ever been leased. The Spark’s platform also served other brands: the Opel Karl in Europe, the Vauxhall Viva in Britain and the VinFast Fadil in Vietnam all used the same basis, the last of them built under licence. Production ended in 2022 after four generations.
Design and features
- Daewoo origins: designed in Korea and sold as the Matiz before it became a Chevrolet.
- World car: four generations sold on several continents under GM and Holden badges.
- Spark EV: the first electric passenger car GM sold to retail customers.
- Shared platform: also used for the Opel Karl and the VinFast Fadil.
Chevrolet Spark versions
- Daewoo Matiz (1998): the original city car.
- Chevrolet Spark: the name used in most markets from the third generation.
- Holden Barina Spark and Holden Spark: the Australian and New Zealand versions.
- Spark EV (2013): the limited electric version for California and Oregon.
The Spark was the smallest car in the Chevrolet range below the Chevrolet Aveo, and its electric version followed the EV1 and Volt in GM’s electric history. More cars are in the Chevrolet collection.
Video: Chevrolet Spark test
Video by FOCUS online on YouTube.
Sources
- Chevrolet Spark, English Wikipedia: origins, generations, markets, electric version
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