Holden Barina

Infobox Automobile


name = Holden Barina
manufacturer = Suzuki (1985–1994)
Opel (1994–2005)
GM Daewoo (2005–present)
production = 1985–present
assembly = Hamamatsu, Japan
Zaragoza, Spain
Bupyong, South Korea
class = Supermini
body_style = 3-door hatchback
4-door sedan
5-door hatchback

The Holden Barina is an subcompact automobile sold since 1985 by Holden, the Australian arm of General Motors (GM). Each of the five generations have been badge-engineered versions of GM vehicles: Suzuki Cultus, Opel Corsa, and Daewoo Kalos.

First generation (MB, ML) (1985–1988)

The first generation MB Barina was launched in 1985 as a badge-engineered Suzuki Cultus as a five-door hatchback. In the first year of production a Road Runner special model was offered complete with decals showing the Warner Bros. cartoon character. A high-profile marketing campaign featured the slogan "Beep beep Barina", a catchphrase that remains in the consciousness of many Australians in the present. The mildy facelifted ML Barina was released in September 1986.

In the Used Car Safety Ratings undertaken by the Monash University Accident Research Centre, published in 2007, found that the first generation Barina provides a "significantly worse than average" level of occupant safety protection in the event of an accident.cite web | url = http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/2007/pdf/Car_Safety_Ratings07.pdf | format = PDF | title = Used Car Safety Ratings 2007 | publisher = Monash University | accessdate = 2007-08-09]

Second generation (MF, MH) (1988–1994)

The second-generation MF Barina was a rebadged second generation Suzuki Cultus, co-developed with GM using the GM M platform and marketed worldwide under nearly a dozen nameplates, prominently as the Suzuki Swift, Pontiac Firefly and Geo Metro — and currently in production in Pakistan. A three-door hatchback was first released in 1988, and was followed by the introduction of a five-door hatchback in 1990. A facelifted MH Barina was released in October 1991.

Like the previous generation, the second generation Barina provides a "significantly worse than average" level of safety according to the Used Car Safety Ratings.

Third generation (SB) (1994–2001)

The third generation SB Barina was based on the Opel Corsa B and imported from Spain. It was released in 1994 and was offered as a three- or five-door hatchback. Engine choices comprised of either a 1.2 or 1.4 litre four-cylinder engine. A 1.6 litre engine was also offered for the sporty range topping GSi. The second generation was available in the following models:
*1.2 litre SB City 3-door
*1.4 litre SB City 3-door
*1.4 litre SB Joy 3-door
*1.4 litre SB Swing 5-door
*1.4 litre SB Grand Prix 5-door (special edition)
*1.6 litre 16V SB GSi 3-door
*1.4 litre SB Lambada 3-door (special edition)
*1.4 litre SB Olympic Edition 3-door and 5-door (special edition)
*1.4 litre SB Equipe 3-door and 5-door (special edition)
*1.4 litre SB Cabrio

In late 1998 there was an update featuring multipoint fuel injection across the range and suspension upgrades to improve ride and handling. These models can be identified by their half body coloured bumpers and 3 bar grille. In 2001, Holden issued a voluntary recall of all Barina SB models, built between 1994 and 2001. This was due to a faulty seatbelt mounting on front bucket seats.

In the 2007 Used Car Safety Ratings, the SB Barina was assessed as providing "worse than average" protection.

Fourth generation (XC) (2001–2005)

The fourth-generation XC Barina was released in April 2001, based on the Opel Corsa C. It was available in Barina 3 Door and Barina 5 Door models with a 1.4 litre 16-valve engine. In September of that year a GSi model with a new 1.8 litre engine joined the line-up. The Barina was awarded the "Wheels Car of the Year" award for 2001.

In 2003 a decision by Peter Hanenberger (then Holden's managing director) led to the importation of higher-spec SXi three-door and the CD five-door models, to boost sales. The SRi remained unchanged. These newer models did not provide a boost to sales in the face of increasing pricing competition in the market. In 2004, the 1.4 litre models were downgraded, reverting back to their original Barina 3 Door and Barina 5 Door model names.

In the 2007 Used Car Safety Ratings the XC Barina was rated as providing an "average" level of occupant protection in the event of an accident, with ANCAP rating the model four out of five stars. [cite web | url = http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/vehicles/ancap/holden/barina-city-2001.html | title = Holden Barina City | 2001 | work = Land Transport New Zealand | publisher = New Zealand Government | accessdate = 2008-04-10]

Fifth generation (TK) (2005–present)

In December 2005 Holden dropped the Opel-sourced Barina and rebadged the Daewoo Kalos hatchback as the fifth generation TK Barina. In February 2006, a four-door sedan went on sale, the first sedan type for the Barina nameplate. It is also equipped with a 1.6 litre twin-cam 16-valve variation. The decision was made to ensure Holden remains highly competitive in the fast-growing small car market in Australia, facing competition from other South Korean-sourced models like the Hyundai Getz. The Opel-sourced model sold at a loss and was sold to build up a presence in the entry-level new car market in Australia. [cite web | date = 2006-01-14 | url = http://carsguide.news.com.au/site/research/story/new_barinas_price_calms_sentiment/ | title = New Barina's price calms sentiment | work = The Courier-Mail | publisher = News Limited | accessdate = 2008-04-10] The Holden Barina was sold at AU$12,990 for a base model car, which was later changed to AU$13,490, due to high demand.

The Daewoo-sourced Holden Barina scored a lower two out of five star ANCAP rating than its European-built, Opel-based predecessor. [cite web | date = 2006-05-16 | url = http://www.caradvice.com.au/5/holden-barina-korean-safety/ | title = Holden Barina Korean Safety | publisher = CarAdvice.com.au | accessdate = 2008-04-10] Criticism was focused on the Barina TK because of these crash test results, one of the worst in history. [cite web | url = http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/vehicles/ancap/holden/barina-2005.html | title = Holden Barina | 2005 on | work = Land Transport New Zealand | publisher = New Zealand Government | accessdate = 2008-04-10] As a result, Denny Mooney, the managing director of Holden, was forced to publicly defend his product. [cite web | date = 2006-05-14 | url = http://www.caradvice.com.au/250/holden-barina-2006-poor-safety-slows-sales/ | title = Holden Barina 2006 Poor Safety Slows Sales | publisher = CarAdvice.com.au | accessdate = 2008-04-10] Holden has gone on the record stating that "safety is not a concern in this segment and sales have proven this, therefore we will not be importing the Opel Barina" as quoted by Holden marketing executive Jason Laird.Fact|date=September 2008

Reflecting market priorities and price point control, some safety equipment is either unavailable or available only at extra cost on some models in some markets—including side airbags, anti-lock brakes, fog lamps and a rear center position three-point seatbelts and headrests. So while the Holden Barina is itself a virtually identical iteration of the Daewoo Kalos and all its iterations—its safety content may differ critically from other market variations of the vehicle.

The updated TK Barina hatchback was released in August 2008. It has been facelifted with a bolder grille, new headlamps and tail lamps, along with the interior seen on the sedan model introduced in 2006. Side-impact air bags have been included as standard fitment to the dual front air bags already fitted. Power windows and electric mirrors were also included to Barina’s specification. [cite web | last = Mathioudakis | first = Bryon | date = 2008-08-15 | url = http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/3447A7E3825F030FCA2574A6001B4D0C | title = Holden’s public web site reveals images and some spec details of the ’09 Barina | work = GoAuto | publisher = John Mellor | accessdate = 2008-08-20]

References