GM to import more Chevy Spark minicars from Korea

General Motors is increasing imports of Chevrolet Spark minicars for sale in the United States following a stronger-than-expected launch here.

GM recently upped its order for Sparks from the Korea plant that produces the car, Cristi Landy, marketing director for Chevrolet small cars, told Automotive News.

“We've asked for more already,” Landy said Wednesday. “We've gotten a really strong reaction in the marketplace.”

Landy wouldn't say how many Sparks were imported under GM's original forecast or how many more the company has requested.

GM launched the Spark in 18 metro U.S. markets in July. During its first two months on the market, sales totaled 6,313, a solid start that surprised some GM executives and dealers.

Before the Spark's launch, IHS Automotive forecast sales of 27,000 in 2013, the car's first full year on the U.S. market. The sales pace from the limited rollout puts GM on target to exceed that total on an annual basis.

Labor strife in Korea this summer disrupted some Spark shipments to the United States, Landy said. GM lost some production when Korean workers staged a number of partial strikes. The company reached a deal with its Korean labor union in August.

Landy said GM is working to make up those lost units and is boosting shipments beyond the company's original forecast.

The Korea plant has capacity for about 200,000 units a year, a company spokeswoman said. The factory also supplies Korea, India, Mexico and other markets.

“Our dealers are asking for more,” Landy said. “We don't want to make a gut production decision based on two-and-a-half months of sales. But demand has been strong.”

By Mark Colias