Holden extinguishes Spark

Holden has pulled the plug on its tiny Spark hatch, a vehicle roundly praised for its driving dynamics, packaging and value.

Reflecting the steadily declining interest in the micro car segment and the dominance of the Kia Picanto in that segment, the Spark was outsold last year by the Picanto and the Mitsubishi Mirage. In the case of the Kia, sales (3323) were nearly 2100 units higher than the Spark's (1227) during 2017.

For the year to date in 2018, the Spark remained on track for another 1200-unit year, selling 313 during the first three months.

Holden's decision to snuff out the Spark has occurred against the backdrop of Ford's decision to cease marketing the Fiesta light hatch in Australia, and before that, Suzuki chopping off the Celerio at the knees.

Mark Flintoft, Senior Manager - Product & Brand Communications at Holden, confirmed that the company was in the process of rolling out remaining stocks of the Spark, and there would be no further shipments entering the country.

"The reason being due to small volume segment and the relatively low price increase to move to Barina and Astra," he advised.

According to Flintoft, the decision to can the Spark was promulgated approximately "two months ago", well before Ford announced the end of Fiesta sales in Australia, but long after Suzuki's decision to opt out of micro cars when it put the Celerio to the sword.

Unlike Ford, however, Holden appears to remain committed to the Barina in the light-car segment. The Barina has sold nearly three times as many cars as the Spark for the year to date, and sold more than double the number of Fiestas for the full year, 2017.