2016 Spark - First Sighting

[carsNskis]

I've seen the mule shots of both a long time ago also, but they aren't ready for the buying public and most likely won't be for another year.

Very interested in seeing the new Cadillac XT5 also.

You were the one that said that GM is paying more attention to Buick and GMC right now - and the current crop of 2017 and 2018 vehicles include Chevy versions.

I think GM understands that to maintain their leadership in the automotive market, they need to constantly update their products.

I've seen the mules in person and on the road (within the last thirty days) not just in the auto press. They test the vehicles far in advance to work out as many bugs as possible before committing to production.

Living in Colorado I have the benefit of knowing some mule stalkers that run up and down the I70 corridor for high altitude testing. Been on quite a few ride alongs and some three car tails to help them get photos.

If you notice what concepts you've seen GM publish lately you'll also note a lack of bowties on them. Specifically because they already have the design language for Chevy identified through 2019. They are now focused on figuring out wtf to do with Buick and GMC because they're both bastard stepchild brands with no definitive market base.

It's like GM is on tinder right now, looking for swipes to see what the sheeple want...



.....drive it like you still owe the bank money

 

[The Champ]

The new GMC Acadia as shown on GMC.com in the All Terrain trim:

I like this version as I'm not much on chrome accents. GM knows what to do with GMC - it's the upscale Chevy.

Buick is having an identity crisis. When the Obama administration forced GM to kill Pontiac and keep Buick - they killed the performance line and kept the line that nobody buys in the U.S. Why? China...

GMC sold over 558,000 vehicles in 2015. Buick? Only 223,000. Cadillac - 175,000.

GMC is GM's #2 seller - and the most profitable line of vehicles they have.

 

[Natesriv]

Buick is China's number one name brand... that's why GM kept it...HUGE money there...

 

[The Champ]

Buick is China's number one name brand... that's why GM kept it...HUGE money there...

Should have just kept Buick for the China market and dropped it here.

Pontiac outsold Buick 3 - 1 and had unique vehicles that car guys liked.

Buick had nothing for the U.S. market that wasn't already covered by Chevy or GMC. The Buick Enclave (read Chevy Traverse or GMC Acadia) was the best selling Buick then - and still is.

Pontiac had the G8, the Solstice, the G6 Convertible....

 

[festboi]

I had a chance to drive the new Spark before deciding on the Sonic. All-in-all, I came away impressed.

I've rented my fair share of first-gen Sparks and didn't mind them. They weren't perfect, but were comfortable enough and had a cheap/cheerful nature befitting for an economy car.

The look of the new one is more refined, and although it's lost the "excited potato" look of the old version, there's a strong Chevy resemblance there. The front grille echoes the SS sedan.

Driving it, the new Opel Adam platform pays off. It handled really well around corners and the manual was superb. I dare say it was Honda-like. Finally, the spare tire is back on this new one, and the interior was tasteful. There's some cheap bits here and there, and the back is cramped, but it's an economy car.

It was a little too small for our needs and the Sonic fit them better. Plus the Sonic is built in America, which earned it points.

Overall, it is a fantastic effort, and based on last week's MotorTrend review, the press is going to be pretty positive

 

[carplan15]

don't forget the Spark pizza car

http://www.autonews.com/article/201...odified-chevrolet-spark-can-pack-in-80-pizzas

A Chevrolet Spark modified by Domino’s Pizza soon will allow some franchises to deliver up to 80 pizzas at a time...

 

[Syrup]

don't forget the Spark pizza car

http://www.autonews.com/article/201...odified-chevrolet-spark-can-pack-in-80-pizzas



A Chevrolet Spark modified by Domino’s Pizza soon will allow some franchises to deliver up to 80 pizzas at a time...

It may be able to fit 80 pizzas, but could it actually carry that much weight out of the parking lot with such a tiny engine?

-Syrup

 

[carplan15]

It may be able to fit 80 pizzas, but could it actually carry that much weight out of the parking lot with such a tiny engine?

-Syrup

maybe dominos specified some front differential gear changes for more torque ?

 

[The Champ]

It may be able to fit 80 pizzas, but could it actually carry that much weight out of the parking lot with such a tiny engine?

-Syrup

There won't be any passengers - so the load is most likely a lot lighter than a Spark carrying 4 average size adults.