Holden Barina

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The Holden Barina is a supermini sold by the automaker Holden in Australia and New Zealand. Each generation is a badge-engineered version of other models of the General Motors group.

Contents 1 Barina Mk I (1985-1994) 2 Barina SB (1994-2001) 3 Barina XC (2001-2005) 4 Barina TK (2005-present) 5 Safety

[edit] Barina Mk I (1985-1994)

The first-generation Barina was launched in 1985 as a badge-engineered version of the Suzuki Swift.

In addition to the standard Barina five-door hatchback, a Road Runner special model was offered in the first year complete with decals showing the Warner Bros. cartoon character. The high-profile marketing campaign featured the slogan Beep beep Barina, a catchphrase that remains in the consciousness of many Australians in the present.

[edit] Barina SB (1994-2001)

The second-generation Barina (codenamed SB) was based on the Corsa B and imported from Spain. Released in 1994, it was available in three- and five-door hatchback bodystyles with 1.2 and 1.4-litre engines. The top of the range sports GSi was the only variant to get a 1.6-litre, twin cam 16 valve gasoline engine. This generation was available in the following models:

• 1.2 SB City 3-door
• 1.4 SB City 3-door
• 1.4 SB Joy 3-door
• 1.4 SB Swing 5-door
• 1.4 SB Grand Prix 5-door (special edition)
• 1.6, 16V SB GSi 3-door
• 1.4 SB Lambada 3-door (special edition)
• 1.4 SB Olympic Edition 3-door and 5-door (special edition)
• 1.4 SB Equipe 3-door and 5-door (special edition)

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.

[edit] Barina XC (2001-2005)

The third-generation Barina (codenamed XC) was released for 2001, based on the Corsa C. It was available in City and SRi trim levels. The base 1.4 engine was now 1.4 16-valve engines, while a new 1.8-litre 16v joined the line-up.

The Barina was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 2001.

In 2003, the then managing director Peter Hanenberger opted to import higher spec models, to boost sales. The models were SXi three-door, and CD five-door, with SRi remaining unchanged. These newer models didn't prove to boost sales in the face of increasing pricing competition in the market.

[edit] Barina TK (2005-present)

In December 2005 Holden dropped the Opel-sourced Barina and rebadged the Daewoo Kalos hatchback as the fourth-generation Holden Barina (codenamed TK). 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 L 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 superior South Korean-sourced models like the Hyundai Getz. The Opel Barina imported to Australia sold at a loss and was sold to build up a presence in the entry-level new car market. [1]

Holden's decision to bring the Daewoo-sourced Barina to Australia caused some negative publicity. In spite of on-going negative publicity, the Barina TK continues to sell well perhaps because of its low price. The Holden Barina was sold at $12,990 for a base model car. Which was later changed to $13,490, due to high demand. Excluding fleet sales and considering only private sales, the Barina is Holden's third best-selling car. [2]

[edit] Safety

In Australia, 1986-88 and 1989-99 Holden Barinas were assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 as providing "significantly worse than average" protection for its occupants in the event of a crash. The Barina SB was assessed as providing "worse than average" protection, [3] and the Barina XC as providing an "average" level of protection, with 4 out of 5 stars. [4]

Criticism was focused on the Barina TK, which achieved 2 out of 5 stars in the Australian New Car Assessment Program crash test results, one of the worst in history. [5] As a result, the Managing Director of Holden was forced to publicly defend his product. [6] 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.

Footage of the Barina TK's frontal offset crash test can be seen on YouTube.