Holden Barina Spark 2013 News

That might sound like a silly answer to a serious question, but it's the best solution for optimum shopping in the back end of 2013. You see, Korea now makes better Japanese cars than the Japanese. And that's a fact.There are some exceptions, and some categories where the Koreans are still getting a foothold, but a Hyundai i30 or a Kia Cerato is a far better choice than a Mitsubishi Lancer, a Kia Sportage makes more sense than a Honda CR-V, and a Hyundai Santa Fe is much better buying than a Toyota Kluger.This Korean tide has been rising for a while, but it's now filled showrooms with quality cars that are backed by industry-leading five-year warranties with capped-price servicing costs. The two Korean juggernauts are also serious about tuning their cars for Australian drivers and roads, which is becoming a serious selling point and also a battlefield for bragging rights between Hyundai and Kia.Even Daewoo, which was absorbed into the Holden empire to provide cut-price cars such as the Barina and Captiva, is now doing a better job as the engineering and design expertise from Fishermans Bend is absorbed deeply into the Korean content on the cars. And don't forget that the Aussie-made Cruze compact, despite its local tweaking and assembly in Adelaide, began its life at the GM Daewoo division in Korea.Without getting into a history lesson, the seismic shift between Japan and Korea comes down to three things. First is the deep-seated rivalry between the two countries, second is the well-lit path to success blazed by Japanese makers including Honda and Toyota, and third is the Global Financial Crisis. How's that?Well, nothing makes a Korean businessman happier than beating a Japanese rival, even though the Japanese were the first Asian companies to achieve success in motoring thanks to cars like the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and the classy machines that followed. These days, the Nissan GT-R is a legend and the Toyota LandCruiser is an icon.So the Koreans assimilated the Japanese business model for cheap, reliable and sensible cars - think of the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Rio - and then found a way to build them with similar quality at a lower price. There was a time when the cabins of Korean cars stank - because of the 'release agent' applied to plastic parts - and the assembly was slipshod and downmarket, but not today. They also have aircon with Japanese efficiency, always a pointer to intelligent engineering in Australian weather.But it's the GFC which has made the biggest difference. While the Japanese brands panicked, cutting costs and stretching the lifetimes of their cars, the Koreans accelerated their development plans, brought new models, and invested in their dealerships in Australia.The results are obvious now as many Japanese cars - we're talking about the Honda Civic and Subaru Impreza - have lost their previous edge, while others - think Mitsubishi Pajero and Subaru WRX - are way overdue for a remake.In the meantime, Hyundai is now plotting a move upmarket with its luxury Genesis models and Kia is setting a global standard for quality styling thanks to its recruiting of design genius Peter Schreyer. Best of all, when you're buying, it's the driveaway pricing that's been a Korean signature since Hyundai blazed that trail in the 1990s to get nervous shoppers over the line.This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover 

An all-electric Holden Spark - nee Barina Spark - has made its US debut as a production-ready car with plans for sale in North America and across the pond in emission-conscious Europe. But Australia may not miss out. The Spark EV could become Holden's second electric car - after the Volt that debuts here next year - within three years. Holden spokesperson Kate Lonsdale says "we haven't dismissed the Spark EV". "We'll see how it performs in other markets before making a decision. Our focus is on Volt at the moment. We will continue to watch it (Spark EV) before making a decision." In a statement, Chevrolet says the Spark EV "will be sold in limited quantities in select US and global markets starting in 2013". Chevrolet's global vehicle chief engineer for electric vehicles, Jim Federico, says the car "offers customers living in urban areas who have predictable driving patterns or short commutes an all-electric option" "It complements Chevrolet's growing range of electrified vehicles, including the Volt extended-range EV and the 2013 Malibu Eco with eAssist technology." The Spark EV will use feedback from trial electric vehicles such as the Sail EV in China, the Beat EV in India and Cruze EV in Korea. "Our global demo fleets continue to provide insight into the needs of electric vehicle customers living in urban environments," says Federico. "The Spark EV is another step in Chevrolet's plan to provide customers with a variety of electrification solutions to address the lifestyle and transportation needs of people around the world." The Spark EV will use a nanophosphate lithium-ion battery pack powering an electric motor with a peak power output of  85kW. However, for durability the motor is rated at a sustainable 75kW. Batteries are from A123 Systems in the US that also supplies similar units for the Fisker Karma electric saloon. The Spark EV is expected to debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 18.

Sonic is the new name chosen for the Holden Barina in the USA and the four-door sedan is unveiled at the Detroit motor show to highlight a production switch to an American factory. It's a sign that small cars will be big business in the USA inside five years, as well as proof that General Motors is going global at the bottom end of the business. Sonic will not be used as a name in Australia with the Barina badge to continue on both the new sedan and hatch, a pairing that will sit above the existing Barina Spark. The Barina hatch was first displayed at the Paris motor show last year and the sedan - as the Sonic - starred in Detroit with looks that point to a more upmarket approach to GM's small cars. "Sonic is a statement of what can be expected of this foundational brand in years to come," says Mark Reuss, the head of Chevrolet and former Holden boss who unveils the car as part of Chevy's 100th birthday celebrations. That approach will be reflected in the price, as the new Barina pair will have a $15,000-ish starting sticker, well up from the basic Barina Spark at $12,490. "This is Barina and the smaller version is Barina Spark," says Jonathan Rose, spokesman for GM Holden. "We're getting the sedan and hatch. The hatch will be later this year, around October, and the sedan about this time next year. The cars are coming from Korea. The US will build theirs locally." There is some impressive stuff in the Spark - yet to be confirmed for Barina - including 10 airbags and a sports suspension system tuned by the team behind Chevrolet's blaster car, the Corvette. Both cars will come with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and a choice of manual and automatic gearboxes, unlike the Spark that is currently only sold as a manual. GM claims more rear-seat space than the Ford Fiesta and best-in-class boot space for the Barina sedan, as well as youth-essential features such as Bluetooth USB connectivity. The spirit of the SS Commodore could be tapped for a high-performance Barina. Chevrolet has a Sonic with a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine that makes 102 kiloWatts and a dress-up pack that is being considered for Australia. It is called the Z Spec is only billed as a concept car in Detroit but is clearly intended to put some punch into the Sonic is a country where small cars are still not particularly popular. GM Holden admits it can see potential in a Z Spec version of the Barina but is not making any commitment. "The Z Spec is a concept. No decision has been made on whether it will be introduced in Australia. We'll be sure to assess it," says Jonathan Rose.