The American market version of the Chevrolet Spark has been unveiled at today's Los Angeles motor show. Its greatest significance is its role as part of a growing acceptance of superminis in the US market.
Differences from the European spec car are minor, and include a redesigned front end with more pronounced fog lights and a larger grille. The rear also has a specific bumper and light design.
See show pics of the Chevrolet Spark and Chevrolet Spark EV
It will be sold with a 84bhp 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine that can be linked to a five-speed manual or four-seed automatic gearbox.
Chevrolet says it is targeting first-time buyers and city dwellers with the car, and is hoping to use its MyLink telematics system and seven-inch touchscreen to attract younger buyers.
Mylink features Bluetooth phone integration, and can automatically link up to satellite radio stations.
GM has also shown the Chevrolet Spark EV in LA and confirmed that the small electric car will go on sale in selected US states from 2013; it could make its way to Europe later.
The Spark is part of what GM describes as a programme of providing customers with "a variety of electrification solutions."
Technical details are currently being kept under wraps, although GM has confirmed that its electric motor will produce peak power of 85kW and that it will be powered by energy stored in nanophosphate lithium-ion batteries.
The Spark EV will be GM's first all-electric vehicle since the EV1, which was launched in 1996.
However, Chevrolet has run electric test cars in other markets already: it has the Sail EV in China, Cruze EV in Korea and Beat EV in India. It says it will incorporate lessons learned from these projects into the Spark EV.
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