GM China Releases Official Photos of the Springo

[lio45]

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

As the article says... they're not asking for it that much.

(...) other EV’s already in China have not seen large-scale sales.

[ausrutherford]

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?

Look at my explanation in the article.

[Quixote88]

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

I agree... It's because folks here don't understand that a new sub-brand is mandated by the Chinese government... GM simply would not introduce another brand if they did not have to do so.

"Springo" is fine to be a Chinese-only sub-brand to sell re-badged Chevrolets. It is what it is. Do folks here really want one of the GM Heritage brands resurrected just to be sold in China as a sub-brand? I should hope not...

[MechEng]

One thing I noticed in the pictures is that this looks like the new SAE J1772 connector with a DC fast charge option.
The Spark EV is also supposed to have the new DC fast charge connector as well. It will be good to see GM getting some experience with DC charging.

Spark EV is supposed to be launced at the LA show end of this month. I'm looking foward to it.

[rsbaker]

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

Agreed! This is ridiculous! I have no problem with the Chinese requiring the foreign manufacturers to build in china for that market but forcing them to essentially create and build the entire domestic Chinese auto industry that will no doubt end up competing unfairly against the majors both in China and in their respective home markets is intolerable in the long term.

[Motors Man]

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

Alot of people here still think GM "cares" about America and the products GM provides said country,so those people care a great deal about GM and its products. The sad reality is, GM doesn't care about those people or its products look @ the beating the Malibu is taking, for starters.

[FanOfDurant]

Alot of people here still think GM "cares" about America and the products GM provides said country,so those people care a great deal about GM and its products. The sad reality is, GM doesn't care about those people or its products look @ the beating the Malibu is taking, for starters.

I care not to get into the political bailout arena but you know what? If GM genuinely doesn't care about the good American folks that not only built their company but saved their ass in the end, they can go straight to hell.

[lio45]

Look at my explanation in the article.

I did, and the reason I wrote that comment is because your explanation did not (and still does not) really explain why the brand new Baojun brand somehow can't qualify as Shanghai GM's Chinese sub-brand even though it was created for the very purpose of being that mandatory sub-brand for GM's Chinese JV with SAIC...

(Wuling, already being a Chinese brand, and since GM only has a minority stake in it, presumably doesn't need a Chinese sub-brand -- it's ALREADY a Chinese brand, and mostly Chinese-owned!)

[ausrutherford]

I did, and the reason I wrote that comment is because your explanation did not (and still does not) really explain why the brand new Baojun brand somehow can't qualify as Shanghai GM's Chinese sub-brand even though it was created for the very purpose of being that mandatory sub-brand for GM's Chinese JV with SAIC...

(Wuling, already being a Chinese brand, and since GM only has a minority stake in it, presumably doesn't need a Chinese sub-brand -- it's ALREADY a Chinese brand, and mostly Chinese-owned!)

SAIC-GM and SAIC-GM-Wuling are technically two different joint ventures, so two brands must be created.

[JBsZ06]

When the Chinese throw out all foreign car companies..spring will continue to exist.

Vw has 14 brands and is applauded but an American brand follows suit in China and people on this forum bitch...? Funny but expected I'd gather

[chinamonty]

When the Chinese throw out all foreign car companies..spring will continue to exist.

Vw has 14 brands and is applauded but an American brand follows suit in China and people on this forum bitch...? Funny but expected I'd gather

China is unlikely to throw out foreign car companies as they are able to imagine the retaliation.
The problem people have is that even though VW group has fourteen brands they don't get rid one one and then create a new one. They are still peeved with Olds and Pontiac etc going and don't want new brands in place of them.

[Harry_Dunne]

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

The 'world' is not the US. And in the US, we have a consumer-centric economy that focuses on the lowest common denominator and thus favors 'big box' stores and the predominant brands in the car segment. That doesn't mean it's the same in China or Japan or other important markets. Toyota isn't simply Toyota in Japan, for example. China has plenty of room for more brands and the interests of that market might be different than your perceptions. So don't bash GM for making a decision which you don't understand. It's pretty tiresome, the sport of recycling opinions that the crap media in this country have imposed on everyone here, over the years. If you really think you know how to fix GM's problems, give it a try... they're likely hiring.

[FanOfDurant]

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

Who said to ignore what people want? I sure didn't. Although GM is the best at that... I roll my eyes at yet Another Brand for said product. Brand brand brands..... Blah. Give me a REAL company, a REAL brand. Something with honestly, genuine soul and integrity. Slapping some stupid Springo badge on a car is pathetic. The Chinese government would have to have a gun to my head to force such a stupid thing. Keep It Real folks. I despise Genuine Brand dilution. It was the biggest downfall of "General" motors in the first place. Nothing "Specific", nothing real....

The day will come when the Chinese realize this as well. And "General" motors will pay the price. Ford will capitalize on it, mark my words.

[jry]

Sounds like a breakfast cereal.

[richmond2000]

I see this being more like if GM where to have created "VOLT" brand cars and seperated them from Chevy-Buick-caddy-opel-Holden and not let the "preconceived"
brand "identity" cloud volt / the the buyers expectations of the VOLT
and less of a GMC VS Chevy truck situation where one is "stealing" direct sales from the other and there for must be positioned / priced equally +
it could also come with a separate marketing - franchising strategy like MINI is to BMW