GM China Releases Official Photos of the Springo

[ausrutherford]

Could be next GM brand
GMInsideNews.com
November 14, 2012
By: Austin Rutherford

While General Motors North America is hard at work preparing for the release of the Spark EV next year, GM China is preparing an all-electric vehicle of its own. At the Guangzhou Auto Show to be held later this month, the company plans to show the Springo.

The Springo, as you can guess by the teaser shots GM China has released, is a Chevy Sail hatchback with a Volt-like face added on.

Though the Springo is Sail based, it might not be sold as a Chevy. Notice the new “S” badge. This has lead to speculation that Springo might be SAIC-GM’s Chinese government mandated sub-brand. Last year, GM launched Baojun, which is the sub-brand for SAIC-GM-Wuling.

If Springo were its own brand, it would become GM’s 11th brand. For reference, VW Group can lay claim to 14.

The Chevy Spark EV and the Springo EV do not share engineering, as one might assume so due to their similar launches. The Spark rides upon Gamma II, while the Sail still rides upon the platform from the Opel Corsa B.

No official specifications have been released on the range of the battery, but rumors have it to be around 150 km, or 93 miles.

The success of the Springo could go either way for other EV’s already in China have not seen large-scale sales. The market will also become more crowded as other EV’s hit the market like Nissan Leaf rebadge for Dongfeng-Nissan’s Venucia brand.

Expect to see the Springo start sales next year, but do not expect sales outside of China.

[dslay04]

*yawn*

[catbert]

More badge engineering. GM has a short memory.

[FanOfDurant]

Just what the world and GM needs, another brand.... Good lord.

[dslay04]

More badge engineering. GM has a short memory.

Just what the world and GM needs, another brand.... Good lord.

Forced by the Chinese government

[newdude]

If they can make open up a bunch of rebadge engineering brands for other countries then why not just bring back...Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Hummer, Saab, etc...

[uvikrama]

wasn't this same as below ??

[SS_Frank]

I don't understand the complaints here....

[BlackGTP]

Why is China forcing the creation of sub-brands while actively trying to reduce the number of auto-manufacturers?

[mchicha]

I am waiting for the Federal Government to take up these Chinese JV laws and force the issue.

[Joe in T.O.]

wasn't this same as below ??

This is the new "Springo Voltagon"

[goatgary]

Just what the world and GM needs, another brand.... Good lord.

So...basically we need to ignore what people are asking for in the largest market in the world.

You are welcome to compain if it comes to the states.

[ausrutherford]

wasn't this same as below ??

Looks like that is a spy shot of it.

[mgescuro]

What GM doesn't need is a "new brand." Forced by the Chinese government? Well, that's the only excuse I'd ever accept for the creation of a new brand.

It's a nice idea, but there are better looking pure EV's out there than this. But if it sells.... it sells...

[lio45]

I happen to think this Volt-ish nosejob makes the Fail look better... but a new brand? Couldn't Baojun fill that mandatory sub-brand role for SAIC-GM?