Chevrolet Spark

GM Korea

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Automotive
Predecessor	Daewoo Motors
Founded	1998
Fate	Production ceased in 2022; shifted to Chevrolet Trax production
Headquarters	Changwon , South Korea
Parent	General Motors

The Chevrolet Spark () is a city car manufactured by General Motors' affiliate GM Korea from 1998 until 2022. Initially created by Daewoo and launched in 1998 as the Daewoo Matiz, the model came under GM's control following its acquisition of Daewoo Motors in 2002, after which it was distributed globally under various GM brand names.

The third generation reached international markets, prominently branded as the Chevrolet Spark in North America and the Holden Barina Spark across Australia and New Zealand. The fourth generation appeared in 2015, adopting the Holden Spark name in those regions. This platform also served as the foundation for the European Opel Karl, the UK's Vauxhall Viva, and Vietnam’s licensed VinFast Fadil versions.

In June 2013, General Motors launched a limited-edition all-electric variant called the Chevrolet Spark EV in select American markets. This represented GM’s return to retail electric passenger vehicles since the conclusion of the EV1 lease program in 1999.

Within South Korea, the Spark meets the criteria for light car regulations, offering owners benefits such as reduced taxes and parking privileges owing to its compact dimensions and engine size.

Manufacturing at GM Korea’s Changwon facility ceased in 2022, with production shifting towards building the second-generation Chevrolet Trax at the same plant.

M100 (1998–2000)

Production of the Daewoo Matiz commenced in 1998, sold primarily in South Korea and Europe under the internal designation M100. Its exterior styling drew inspiration from the Italdesign Lucciola, a 1993 concept by Fabrizio Giugiaro at Italdesign, initially declined by Fiat. The powertrain—a 0.8-litre gasoline engine paired with a transmission—originated from the Daewoo Tico and was updated by 2013 to include multipoint fuel injection. Final engineering work was completed at Daewoo's Worthing Technical Centre located in England. The Matiz became Daewoo's top-selling vehicle across Europe and India for four consecutive years.

Derived from the Daewoo Tico under license from Suzuki Alto, both models shared mechanical components and suspension design, resulting in a narrow width consistent with Japanese kei car tax classifications.

At launch, it featured a 0.8-litre straight-three engine based on the Suzuki F8B, delivering and of torque, with combined fuel efficiency rated at . It could reach a maximum speed of , accelerating from zero to in approximately 17 seconds. This engine was adapted from Suzuki’s original unit by Tickford, a UK-based company credited in marketing materials within Britain.

Three trim options were available: E, S, and SE. The SE trim included amenities such as air conditioning, wheel covers, body-colored bumpers, a rear spoiler, fog lights, and a stereo system. Optional features included roof rails, power steering, central locking, electric front windows, antilock braking system (ABS), and a driver airbag. An automatic transmission was offered in selected markets.

M150 (2000–2005)

Conceived at Daewoo's Worthing Technical Centre in England, the M150 facelift was introduced domestically in South Korea toward the end of 2000 and began export sales in 2001. The front-end was redesigned to accommodate a four-cylinder engine; however, the 1.0-litre Daewoo S-Tec engine was only introduced after General Motors’ acquisition of Daewoo in 2002.

Manufacture persisted under GM-Uzbekistan (previously UzDaewooAuto) within Uzbekistan until 2018. The model was marketed as the Ravon Matiz when launched into Russia in 2016 but was discontinued shortly thereafter. In both South Korea and Japan, it retained the name Daewoo Matiz II.

Lechi (China)

In the Chinese market, the vehicle was marketed as the Chevrolet Lechi until 2012, when it was succeeded by a refreshed version known as the Baojun Lechi. During a transitional phase, the model was available under both the Chevrolet and Baojun marques. Enhancements to the powertrain improved fuel efficiency, enabling eligibility for Chinese governmental subsidies and tax benefits.

Safety

Euro NCAP conducted safety testing on a right-hand drive, five-door hatchback variant registered in 2000, with the following outcomes:

Test	Rating	Points
Overall:	N/A	N/A
Adult occupant:	Template:Rating	19
Child occupant:	N/A	N/A
Pedestrian:	Template:Rating	15
Safety assist:	N/A	N/A

Engines

The vehicle was equipped with three petrol engine options detailed as follows:

Model	Engine type	Displacement	Power output	Torque	0–100 km/h (0-62 mph)	Maximum speed	CO2 emissions	Remarks
0.8	I3	796 cc	51 PS (38 kW; 50 hp)	69 N⋅m (51 lb⋅ft) at 4,200 rpm	17.0 s	144 km/h (89 mph)	161 g/km
1.0	I4	995 cc	63 PS (46 kW; 62 hp)	87 N⋅m (64 lb⋅ft) at 4,300 rpm	14.2 s	155 km/h (96 mph)	157 g/km	introduced in 2002
1.2	I4	1,206 cc	86 PS (63 kW; 85 hp)	108 N⋅m (80 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm	13.9 s	160 km/h (99 mph)	180 g/km	"China market from 2009"

Copying controversy

The Chery QQ3, initially released as the Chery QQ, became the center of an intellectual property conflict when General Motors claimed it was a direct imitation of the Daewoo Matiz. GM pointed out that parts such as doors were interchangeable between the two models without any alterations.

GM China emphasized that the two vehicles "exhibited strikingly similar body structures, exterior and interior designs, along with key components." Industry insiders often referred to the QQ as a "clone" or "carbon copy" of the Matiz.

This legal dispute highlighted difficulties faced by international automakers in China's developing automotive sector, where domestic manufacturers aggressively compete to capture a share of what is potentially the world's largest car market.

Second generation (M200, M250; 2005)

In 2005, the Matiz received a substantial redesign with the introduction of the M200 generation, which had been previewed by the Chevrolet M3X concept showcased at the 2004 Paris Motor Show. Designed once again by Italdesign Giugiaro, this iteration featured a revised upper body and enhanced S-Tec engines that improved fuel efficiency through reduced aerodynamic drag. Interior updates included relocating the instrument cluster to a central position. The chassis was upgraded by replacing the former three-link beam rear axle with a twist-beam suspension and adding cast lower control arms to the front suspension.

By 2008, the improved 800 cc engine complied with sub-120 g/km CO2 emission standards, qualifying for favorable UK road tax (£35) and exemption from London's congestion charge.

Throughout Europe, this model was sold under both Chevrolet Matiz and Chevrolet Spark names. Italy produced more than 60,000 LPG variants dubbed Chevrolet Matiz Eco Logic between 2007 and 2010, assembled by BRC Gas Equipment in Cherasco.

In South Korea, following the launch of the M300 Matiz Creative, the M200 model was renamed Matiz Classic and offered exclusively with an 800 cc engine. Worldwide production surpassed roughly 2.3 million units within its first ten years.

Vietnam's VIDAMCO assembled the M200 model as Chevrolet Spark Lite through complete knock-down kits at its Hanoi facility as of 2011.

In India, General Motors India launched two special editions: the Chevrolet Spark LPG equipped with a sequential injection LPG system unveiled on World Environment Day, and the Chevrolet Spark Muzic introduced in 2009.

Safety

The results from Euro NCAP testing for the 2005 five-door hatchback model are as follows:

Category	Rating	Points Earned
Overall:	N/A	N/A
Adult occupant protection:	Template:Rating	17
Child occupant safety:	Template:Rating	30
Pedestrian protection:	Template:Rating	13
Safety assistance features:	N/A	N/A

Engines

Model	Engine type	Displacement	Power output	Torque	Acceleration 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph)	Maximum speed	CO2 emissions	Remarks
0.8	I3	796 cc	52 metric horsepower (38 kW)	72 newton-metres (53 lbf⋅ft) at 4,400 rpm	18.2 s	145 kilometres per hour (90 mph)	123 g/km
1.0	I4	995 cc	66 metric horsepower (49 kW)	91 newton-metres (67 lbf⋅ft) at 4,200 rpm	14.1 s	156 kilometres per hour (97 mph)	133 g/km

Third generation (M300; 2009)

The 2009 redesign of the Matiz, internally designated as M300, drew inspiration from the 2007 Chevrolet Beat concept. Marketed worldwide as the Chevrolet Spark, it retained the Beat nameplate in India, where the previous generation Spark continued to be sold. In Latin American markets such as Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru, it was offered under the Beat or Spark GT names. Prior to Daewoo's discontinuation in South Korea in 2011, this model was available as the Daewoo Matiz Creative.

At the 2009 North American International Auto Show, GM revealed a pre-production version of the Chevrolet Beat called Spark, confirming production plans though only exhibiting the concept vehicle. The production model of the Spark premiered at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show and was introduced in Europe at the start of 2010 before expanding globally. Sales in the United States commenced in early 2012 for the 2013 model year. Manufacturing in India began in December 2009 at the Halol plant in Gujarat, with an official launch as the Chevrolet Beat during January 2010's Auto Expo in New Delhi.

Replacing the original Suzuki-based platform, the M300 utilized GM's Global Small Vehicles architecture (Gamma II), engineered by GM Daewoo.

Concept

The Chevrolet Beat concept was unveiled at the 2007 New York International Auto Show alongside the Trax and Groove concepts. This three-door hatchback, derived from the Daewoo Kalos platform and designed by GM Daewoo in South Korea, featured a 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine paired with an automatic transmission.

In early 2007, GM conducted an online consumer poll to assess interest among its Beat, Trax, and Groove concepts; nearly half of respondents favored the Beat, which influenced its progression to production.

At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, GM presented a prototype woodie variant of the Chevrolet Spark. This version appeared as Skids' vehicle in the 2009 movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. It sported Vertigo Green paint inside and out, LED headlights and taillights, and was equipped with 17-inch wheels featuring color-matched painted brake discs.

Facelifts

The initial facelift, introduced at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, featured a revamped dual-port grille, redesigned front bumper, updated headlamp covers, and new fog lamps. This refreshed design debuted in North America for the 2013 model year and was launched in India in early 2014. Meanwhile, the facelifted Holden Barina Spark maintained its original front bumper but incorporated a new grille design.

A subsequent facelift was released in 2017 for the 2018 model year, drawing inspiration from the fourth-generation Spark (M400). Manufactured in India and Colombia, this iteration primarily catered to emerging markets.

Beat sedan/notchback (NB)

At the 2016 Auto Expo in India, a four-door sedan prototype named the Chevrolet Essentia was showcased. Following GM’s withdrawal from the Indian market in 2017, the Essentia project was discontinued locally; however, it continued to be exported to Latin American countries as the Beat or Beat NB (notchback), either as completely built units or in knock-down kits for assembly by GM Colmotores.

The Beat and its notchback version were phased out in Mexico by August 2021, covering model years from 2018 through 2021. In Colombia, the Taxi edition of the Beat Notchback remained on sale through the 2022 model year.

Spark/Beat Activ

The Chevrolet Spark GT Activ or Chevrolet Beat Activ, featuring crossover-inspired styling, was launched across various Latin American markets starting in 2018. Although it was initially presented as a concept at the 2016 Auto Expo in India, GM’s exit from that market prevented its local production.

United States

Production of the third-generation Spark began in the U.S. on April 16, 2012, with vehicles arriving at dealerships by August under the Chevrolet Spark name. It utilized an enhanced version of the "S-TEC II" engine (RPO LL0).

By July 2012, the 2013 Spark became the fastest-selling vehicle in the U.S., selling out within six days of its dealership launch.

In 2014, GM upgraded the automatic transmission to a Jatco M4M-CVT7 continuously variable transmission (CVT), adjusting the final drive ratio to 3.75. This change improved fuel efficiency overall and reduced highway engine noise but led to a slight decline in city mileage. Nonetheless, industry reports highlighted persistent reliability issues with Jatco CVTs.

Domino's DXP

The Domino's DXP ("Delivery eXPert") is a modified 2015 Spark customized by Roush Performance specifically for Domino's Pizza, reviving the style of classic canopy delivery vehicles from the 1930s to 1950s. Based on the mid-tier 1LT trim level, this version removed both front and rear passenger seats and replaced them with storage compartments capable of carrying up to 80 pizzas, two 2-liter soda bottles, and dipping sauces. The warming oven is integrated into the left rear door and can be accessed only via a key fob or a button located inside the driver’s door frame. The standard Chevrolet grille was substituted with a black custom grille displaying Domino's branding, complemented by a unique lower body kit and Domino's-themed vinyl graphics topped with an illuminated roof sign.

Production is capped at fewer than 200 units. Each DXP is retired after accumulating 100,000 miles and sent back to Roush for restoration to original stock condition before being resold as used Sparks with all safety features preserved. Despite Domino’s intention to retire all DXPs eventually, some damaged units have been privately salvaged as rare collectibles, leading to threatened legal action from a Domino’s franchisee.

Europe

The third-generation Spark made its first appearance at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, with its European market launch occurring in early 2010. Available engine choices include 1.0- and 1.2-litre inline-four units. In Italy, since late 2009, the LPG-powered Chevrolet Spark Eco Logic—equipped with BRC Gas Equipment—has been offered with bi-fuel functionality on both engines, producing between 113 and 119 g CO₂. While LPG variants continue to be sold in Italy, their availability in France was limited to the period from 2009 through 2012.

India

Manufacturing of the third-generation Beat commenced at the Halol facility near Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on 15 December 2009, followed by its debut at the 2010 Auto Expo in New Delhi. The Beat was introduced alongside the more budget-friendly second-generation Spark. It comes with a 1.2 L S-TEC II engine that can operate on petrol or LPG autogas, marketed under the name Smartech II. For the Indian market, engine displacement was slightly reduced from 1,206 cc to 1,199 cc to qualify for lower tax brackets applicable to vehicles under 1,200 cc.

In July 2011, GM launched a diesel version powered by a 936 cc, three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine derived from Fiat Multijet technology. This powertrain produces 62.5 PS and 160 Nm of torque, enabling acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 16 seconds and reaching a maximum speed of 142 km/h. According to ARAI testing, this diesel Beat achieves fuel efficiency of 24 km/L.

GM India initially planned to introduce an electric Spark or Beat in partnership with Reva Electric Car Company but abandoned the initiative following Reva’s acquisition by Mahindra & Mahindra. Instead, GM opted to develop its own electric vehicle.

At Auto Expo 2016, GM India revealed the four-door Chevrolet Essentia sedan and the crossover-inspired Beat Activ concept. Neither model was launched domestically due to Chevrolet’s withdrawal from India in 2017; however, both were exported to Latin American markets until 2021.

Mexico

The third-generation Spark was introduced in Mexico in July 2010 as a 2011 model but did not replace the Chevrolet Matiz (previously known as Pontiac G2 Matiz), which remained on sale until 2015. In mid-2017, the Spark underwent a facelift and was renamed Chevrolet Beat.

Production of the Beat ceased on 5 August 2021 following the closure of the Talegaon plant in India, leaving the Aveo as Chevrolet's entry-level offering in Mexico.

Philippines

In the Philippine market, the third-generation Spark was available with either a 1.0 L or a 1.2 L engine across two trims: LS (offered with a choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission) and LT (five-speed manual only). This generation was discontinued in 2015.

South Korea

Presented as the Daewoo Matiz Creative at the Seoul Motor Show in 2009, this variant featured a 1.0 L S-TEC II engine paired with a four-speed automatic gearbox. Sales commenced on 1 September 2009. The Groove nameplate was retained as a trim option.

In 2011, following GM’s phase-out of the Daewoo brand in South Korea, the Matiz Creative was rebranded as the Chevrolet Spark.

Australasia

In Australia and New Zealand, the third-generation Spark launched in October 2010 during the Sydney Australian International Motor Show as the MJ series Holden Barina Spark. Available trims included CD and CDX. This model was discontinued in February 2018 and succeeded by its fourth-generation counterpart.

Uzbekistan

Introduced in August 2010, the Chevrolet Spark entered the Uzbekistan market with three trim levels: L (1.0 L manual transmission), LS (1.0 L available with manual or automatic), and LT (1.2 L manual transmission).

Russia

Beginning in 2016, the Spark produced in Uzbekistan was sold in Russia under the name Ravon R2. This version featured a 1.2 L engine coupled with an automatic gearbox.

Safety

In 2014, Latin NCAP tested the Korean-manufactured Spark in its basic Latin American configuration, which lacked airbags and ABS. It received a safety rating of zero stars for adult occupants and two stars for child passengers.

Similarly, the Indian-built Spark GT underwent Latin NCAP evaluation in 2016 under comparable minimal safety equipment conditions—without airbags, ABS, or ESC—and earned zero stars for both adult and child protection.

Powertrain

Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	0 to 100 km/h	Top speed	CO2 emissions	Notes
colspan="9" Template:Rh|Petrol engines
1.0	S-TEC II I4	995 cc	68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp) at 6,400 rpm	93 N⋅m (69 lb⋅ft) at 4,800 rpm	15.5 sec.	96 mph (154 km/h)	119 g/km
1.2		1,206 cc	81 PS (60 kW; 80 hp) at 6,400 rpm	111 N⋅m (82 lb⋅ft) at 4,800 rpm	12.1 sec.	102 mph (164 km/h)	119 g/km
1.2		1,199 cc	80.5 PS (59.2 kW; 79.4 hp) at 6,200 rpm	108 N⋅m (80 lb⋅ft) at 4,400 rpm		115 g/km	India only
1.2		1,249 cc	84 hp (62.5 kW) at 6400 rpm	112 N⋅m (83 lb⋅ft) at 4,400 rpm	11.3 sec.		130 g/km	North America
colspan="9" Template:Rh|LPG engines
1.2	S-TEC II I4	1,199 cc	80.04 PS (58.87 kW; 78.95 hp) at 6,400 rpm	104 N⋅m (77 lb⋅ft) at 4,400 rpm		72 g/km	India only
colspan="9" Template:Rh|Diesel engines
1.0	XSDE I3	936 cc	62.5 PS (46.0 kW; 61.6 hp)	150 N⋅m (111 lb⋅ft) at 1,750 rpm	16.0 sec.		108 g/km	India only; introduced in 2011

Spark EV

The Chevrolet Spark EV is an electric five-door hatchback produced in limited quantities by Chevrolet from 2013 until 2016. Designed primarily as a compliance vehicle to satisfy electric vehicle mandates in select U.S. states, it was not intended for widespread commercial distribution or mass production.

General Motors revealed the Spark EV in October 2011, with manufacturing commencing in 2013 and the production version unveiled during the November 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. This model marked GM’s first fully electric passenger car offered in the U.S. since the discontinuation of the EV1 in 1999.

Sales

The initial U.S. launch of the Spark EV occurred in June 2013 and was confined to California and Oregon markets before expanding to Maryland by 2015—representing its debut on the East Coast. Total U.S. sales reached around 7,371 units by early 2017. A price adjustment to $25,995 and new leasing programs introduced in April 2015 increased monthly sales from roughly 100 units to over 900 units per month. Production ceased in December 2016 as Chevrolet redirected efforts toward the long-range Bolt EV.

South Korean retail availability began in October 2013, while limited fleet sales started in Canada during 2014.

Year	Sales
2013	539
2014	1,145
2015	2,629
2016	3,035
2017	23
Total	7,371

Technical

The initial Spark EV utilized a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery pack with a capacity of 21.3 kWh supplied by A123 Systems, incorporating nanophosphate cathode technology to enhance longevity and safety features. For the model year of 2015, GM transitioned to a smaller lithium-ion battery pack of 19 kWh from LG Chem while preserving an EPA-estimated driving range of approximately 82 miles and a combined efficiency rating of 119 MPGe. The battery pack is mounted over the rear axle and employs liquid thermal management.

Charging capabilities include a standard onboard AC charger rated at 3.3 kW alongside an optional CCS Combo DC fast-charge port that can replenish up to an 80% charge within roughly twenty minutes—making it the first U.S.-market vehicle equipped with a CCS inlet.

The electric motor initially delivered an output of 130 horsepower with peak torque reaching up to 400 lb-ft. In the subsequent model year (2015), power was marginally increased to approximately 105 kW (141 hp), while torque decreased to about 327 lb-ft due to alterations in gear ratios. The motor assembly and final drive components were produced at GM’s Baltimore Operations facility before being shipped to South Korea for final vehicle assembly.

Built on GM’s Gamma II platform with a compact footprint, the Spark EV targeted urban customers seeking efficient electric transportation solutions aligned with regulatory incentives promoting electrification initiatives.

Fourth Generation (M400; 2015)

Unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in April 2015 and released later that year, the fourth-generation Spark (M400) was designed under the guidance of GM Global Design Chief Michael Simcoe. This iteration was marketed worldwide with subtle styling updates and sold under different names: as the Holden Spark in Australasia, Opel Karl or Vauxhall Viva across Europe and the UK, and manufactured under license as the VinFast Fadil in Vietnam. Notable design changes included a redesigned instrument cluster, reshaped side panels, and a small quarter window on the rear doors replacing the earlier high-mounted door handles.

Powertrain

In the North American market, the Spark's fourth generation featured a 1.4-liter LV7 DOHC inline-four gasoline engine delivering 98 horsepower and 94 lb-ft of torque. Conversely, models sold domestically in Korea, as well as those branded Opel, Vauxhall, and Holden, were equipped with a 1.0-liter engine producing 75 hp and 70 lb-ft of torque.

Engine Specifications

Engine	Displacement	Power Output	Torque	(0-60 mph)	Maximum Speed	Remarks
1.0 L	999 cc	75 hp	70 lb-ft	12.4 seconds	108 mph	Available only in Korea and Europe
1.4 L	1399 cc	98 hp	94 lb-ft	11 seconds

United States

The Spark was offered in four trim levels: entry-level LS, mid-tier 1LT, lifestyle-focused ACTIV (introduced in 2017), and premium 2LT. Buyers could select between a five-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) across all trims.

Canada

Canadian customers had access to LS, 1LT, and 2LT trims, with the majority of sales—approximately 85%—coming from the automatic-equipped 1LT model.

Mexico

Launched on November 4, 2015 as a 2016 model, the Spark was available in LT and LTZ trims in Mexico, both powered by the 1.4-liter engine.

2018 Refresh

For the 2019 model year, the Spark underwent a mid-cycle update which introduced the third-generation seven-inch Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, refreshed exterior design cues, optional low-speed autonomous emergency braking (AEB) on selected variants, and new paint options. The updated model reached U.S. dealerships in the third quarter of 2018. In Mexico, this facelift was introduced in October 2018 for the 2019 model year; here, the LTZ trim was discontinued while Premier and Activ trims were added.

Spark Activ Trim

Debuting in 2018, the Activ trim was positioned between the 1LT and 2LT models. It included leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum alloy wheels, distinctive black exterior trim elements, roof rails, rear liftgate badging, as well as an increase of ground clearance by approximately 0.4 inches. This trim was not offered in Canada.

End of Production

Chevrolet discontinued production of the Spark following the conclusion of the 2022 model year, with manufacturing ending in August 2022. The Spark held the distinction of being the most affordable new vehicle available in both U.S. and Canadian markets. Production at South Korean facilities ceased on September 8, 2022.

Chevrolet Spark EV

The Chevrolet Spark EV is essentially a rebadged Wuling Air EV sold within Egypt.

Chevrolet Spark EUV

The Chevrolet Spark EUV is a rebadged version of the Baojun Yep Plus, distributed primarily across Middle Eastern and Latin American regions.

Asia

Introduced to the Indian market in 1999 under the Daewoo Matiz name, GM India rolled out the third-generation Chevrolet Spark in 2007, which was derived from the M3X concept. In Japan, the Matiz was retailed by Yanase Co., Ltd. as a compact vehicle that exceeded the size restrictions for Kei cars. The Philippines initially saw the model through grey market imports between 1999 and 2000 before its official launch as the Chevrolet Spark in 2007. Pakistan received the model as the Chevrolet Exclusive in 2003; Nexus Automotive produced it from 2005 until 2009 under the Chevrolet Joy name before shifting to the newer M200 series marketed as the Chevrolet Spark. Meanwhile, in Taiwan, Formosa distributed the Matiz from 2001 until 2009.

Europe

Between 1998 and 2004, the Matiz was available in Europe badged as a Daewoo. In 2004, it transitioned to carry the Chevrolet brand alongside other GM South Korean vehicles such as the Lacetti and Kalos. Since 2000, CKD kits have been supplied to companies like UzDaewooAuto, FSO, and Rodae for assembly and sales within Uzbekistan, Poland, and Romania. Starting in early 2005, FSO began selling the Matiz under its own brand name. The Chevrolet Matiz was briefly offered as the Chevrolet Spark in the United Kingdom. The fourth generation was marketed throughout Europe as the Opel Karl and as the Vauxhall Viva in the UK until both models were discontinued in 2019.

Americas

The Matiz debuted in Mexico in 2003 and was renamed Pontiac Matiz G2 for the 2006 model year, also sold under Pontiac Matiz and Pontiac G2 badges. Production of the Pontiac G2 ended after 2010 following GM's decision to discontinue the Pontiac brand. The newer generation was launched as the Chevrolet Spark in August 2010, while the Matiz continued to be sold concurrently. Brazil manufactures an M300-based vehicle that replaced the Chevrolet Celta. In Colombia, Daewoo-imported Matiz models from 2002 to 2005 were succeeded by locally assembled versions by GM Colmotores, marketed as Chevrolet Spark. A taxi-specific variant named 7/24 was introduced in 2006. The Chevrolet Spark is also available in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Argentina initially imported first-generation Matiz models under Daewoo branding; later generations have been sold as Chevrolet Spark since 2011. Chile, Ecuador, and Peru offer earlier iterations as Chevrolet Spark and more recent versions as Chevrolet Spark GT. Paraguay initially retailed Daewoo Matiz units but switched to Chevrolet dealerships starting in 2008.

In North America, trim options included 1LS, 1LT, and 2LT levels along with an electric vehicle variant. Since 2016 in Canada, the Spark has been positioned as the most affordable new car on offer with a base price of $9,988 CAD—though entry-level models lack air conditioning and come with manual transmissions—competing against similarly priced vehicles like the Nissan Micra until its discontinuation in 2019.

Africa

General Motors South Africa (GMSA) announced on October 2, 2010, plans to produce the new Chevrolet Spark at its Port Elizabeth facility. The second-generation Spark continues to be sold locally under the name 'Spark Lite'.

Middle East

In Iran, production of the Matiz began with imports followed by local assembly under the Daewoo Matiz badge. In Israel, Universal Motors Israel (UMI) launched sales of the 1.2L Chevrolet Spark model on January 18, 2011.

Australasia

In Australia and New Zealand, beginning in February 2016, the Spark was marketed under the Holden nameplate. It was available in two variants: the LS entry-level trim equipped with steel wheels, central locking, and Holden’s MyLink infotainment system; and the LT version, which added 15-inch alloy wheels, keyless access, and a rearview camera.

Holden ceased Spark sales in Australia by April 2018, influenced by a downturn in the light vehicle market. However, the model remained available in New Zealand until the Holden brand was discontinued in 2020.

Sales

Year	United States	South Korea	Europe	Mexico
			Matiz/Spark	Spark	Spark EV	Beat	Matiz
1999			90,524
2000			104,481
2001			69,106
2002			58,640
2003			50,539
2004			79,409
2005			73,189
2006			61,456
2007			67,352
2008			65,562
2009			78,748			,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,	,

See also

• Opel Karl