General Motors to launch new Chevrolet Spark/Beat by 2015

General Motors is planning to introduce the next-generation Chevrolet Spark (known as Beat in India) compact hatch in the global market by the first half of 2015. This will delay the launch of the newly formulated Aveo small car to 2016. According to GM spokesperson Choi Jong-hak, the American carmaker has also advised the South Korean union to produce two new models in Korea. The crumbling local industry concerns that the U.S. automaker may shift some production out of the country. GM Korea's management has already briefed union negotiators on its plans during annual wage talks that ended last week.

"The management said it originally planned to launch the redesigned Aveo in late 2015, but the plan was pushed back. It also said it will produce the new Spark in the first half of 2015," Choi said. The company exports the Spark and Aveo (Sonic) cars to the United States, Europe and other countries. South Korea manufacturers also makes knock-down kits for assembly in Uzbekistan and other places. The company has sold around 215,177 Spark units at home and abroad last year, and around 70 per cent of total Spark sales cane from exports.

The Beat was first introduced in 2009, which has recently received a facelift in foreign markets. The Indian bound Chevrolet Beat is yet to see the changes, but we expect that the new features or changes will be made available in the 2014 model. In South Korea, General Motors delayed the launch of the next-generation Chevrolet Cruze, due to some engineering changes.

Source : Reuters

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