Holden Barina Gets Axed, Will The Chevy Sonic Share A Similar Fate?

It looks like passenger cars are dropping like flies, not only in Ford’s U.S. lineup but in Holden’s as well. Following the axing of the Holden Spark city car this April, GM’s Australian unit will soon drop the Barina subcompact, too.

CarAdvice quotes an unnamed company spokesperson saying that the Barina, a rebadged version of the Chevrolet Sonic, “will not continue as part of Holden lineup.” The official added that the carmaker is focused “on bringing world-class vehicles across the SUVs, LCVs and passenger segments that resonate with our customers.”

He then went on to reassure existing Barina customers that dealers will continue to provide the “highest quality service.” Holden dropping the Barina marks the end of a nameplate launched 30 years ago and sold over six generations.

The Barina didn’t top its segment, but sales weren’t abysmal either. Holden sold 2,329 units as of August 31, accounting for an increase of 6.2 percent year to date. However, sales of the hatchback dropped by 19.9 percent in August to 229 registrations. Without the Spark and Barina, the Trax crossover and Astra hatchback will become the brand’s entry-level models.

The question on everyone’s lips is whether the Barina’s demise might be followed by a similar decision from GM in the United States. The 2019 Chevrolet Sonic went on sale with very modest updates, but beyond that model year, anything is possible.

Mind you, as far as sales are concerned, there’s no reason to be optimistic, as the Sonic has seen a massive 55 percent drop in deliveries in the second quarter compared to Q2 2017, with just 4,582 units sold.