By Alexander Villafania
SAN JUAN CITY, METRO MANILA – American car manufacturer Chevrolet is aiming to gain a foothold in the fuel efficient, compact car market with latest variants of the Spark that tout a fuel consumption rate of 22 kilometer per liter.
The company is introducing the latest 1.0 liter manual and automatic variants of the Spark, following the 1.2 LS manual transmission variant launched early this year.
All variants are powered by Chevrolet’s 4-cylinder S-TEC engine, promising better power-to-weight ratio at low revolutions per minute, and a top speed of 96 kilometers per hour.
Despite its comparatively lighter engine displacement, the Spark is able to fit up to five people, plus cargo in its rear compartment.
The Spark is also among the most competitively priced vehicles in the mini or even compact segment. Prices start at P518,888.
Mark Parulan, Chevrolet Philippines Brand Manager, said the Spark’s market cuts across different segments, especially those who are looking to save on gas.
“Fuel prices have been increasing lately and many car owners would want to spend less on fuel, which forces them to spend less on other stuff. But the Spark provides the right efficiency that would allow them to travel more without spending more.”
Parulan stressed that despite the seemingly entry-level price of the Spark, it still carries in-car features that are not found in other vehicles. These include standard roof rails, LED-lit instrumentation in the dashboard, power steering and windows, as well as a keyless entry with anti-theft electronic immobilizer.
“The mini segment will continue to gain traction in the Philippines especially among young professionals. We expect it to be a trendsetter in the country,” Parulan said.
