Chevy Spark now SA-made and cheaper

The Chevrolet Spark is now made in South Africa and comes with a lower price tag and the option of a sports body kit.

The Chevrolet Spark is now made in South Africa and comes with a lower price tag and the option of a sports body kit.

Published Apr 30, 2012

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Despite being a lot more substantial than its predecessor and standing apart with quite a daring design, the latest Chevrolet Spark has hardly been a sales chart climber. Instead it has battled in a market where the bigger Ford Figo and cheaper new Kia Picanto seemed to offer better value.

Now there's a new chapter opening up as the Spark has gone into local production at GM's Struandale plant in the Eastern Cape and the company has reduced the prices slightly. While certain to anger existing owners, the 7 to 9.7 percent reductions will make the Spark a more attractive proposition to entry-level buyers.

The Spark L gets its sticker price reduced from R115 495 to R107 500 while the better-equipped LS comes down from R128 945 to R116 500.

Both appear to offer a fair amount of car for the money. For starters, and unlike many rivals, there's no messing about with a little 1-litre, three-cylinder engine, the Spark instead powered by a 1.2-litre 16-valve four-cylinder motor that pushes 60kW and 108Nm. Claimed combined fuel consumption is pegged at 5.4 litres per 100km.

ABS was recently added as a standard feature to the base model, which also comes with dual front airbags, air conditioning, an audio system and remote central locking.

The LS adds front electric windows, electric and heated exterior mirrors, steering wheel controls and alloy wheels. GM is also offering the LS with a sports body kit for and extra R3000 as well as an optional alloy wheel kit.

PRICING:

1.2 L - R107 500

1.2 LS - R116 500

ALTERNATIVES:

Citroen C1 1.0 Attraction - R113 600

Fiat Panda 1.2 Young+ - R112 000

Ford Figo 1.4 Ambiente - R118 670

Hyundai i10 1.25 GLS - R114 900

Kia Picanto 1.0 LX - R109 995

Nissan Micra 1.2 Visia+ - R122 400

Peugeot 107 1.0 Urban - R116 500

Renault Sandero 1.4 Ambience - R109 900

Suzuki Alto 1.0 GL - R106 900

Toyota Aygo 1.0 Fresh 5dr - R115 500

VW Polo Vivo 1.4 5dr - R118 300

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