This level of growth was in part due to the introduction of small and mid-sized cars built by GMDAT (GM Daewoo Auto & Technology).

David Lyon, executive director of Design for GM Daewoo described it as a car that "exemplifies our company slogan ‘Driving Innovation’".

Unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in 2005, the vehicle operates via an electrochemical fuel-cell that combines hydrogen fuel with oxygen, generating electricity, the only by-product of this process being water vapour.

[8] Although former GM vice chairman Bob Lutz suggested that the Sequel could go into production by 2011, it was found the cost of producing the fuel-cells would be too expensive.

A 5-seater hatchback, the Aveo is being launched throughout Europe in Summer 2011 as a competitor to the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Opel Corsa and Volkswagen Polo.

Earlier in the year, Chevrolet had also unveiled an Aveo RS concept, featuring 19-inch wheels (48 cm) and the North American Cruze's 138 bhp 1.4L Turbocharged Ecotec.

The Cruze body was used as part of a test to determine electric car driving patterns and "real world" behaviour, in preparation for the launch of the Chevrolet Volt.

In Europe a hatchback version of the Cruze was due to launch in the second half of 2011, with 1.6L and 1.8L petrol engines, accompanied by a 161 bhp 2.0 diesel.

Seen as a rival to the Ford S-Max, VW Touran and Opel Zafira, it signals another step in Chevrolet's goal of establishing itself as a European brand.

Initially unveiled as a concept under the name "Beat" during the New York International Auto show in 2007, the Spark is aimed at targeting a younger urban market with a need for value, fuel economy and practicality.

Some of the revisions from the original Beat concept, to the final production line Spark, include a more-rounded nose and larger headlights.

[12] In a press release, Chevrolet stated that a coupe and convertible version would be made available, outfitted with 400 hp, 6.2-liter V8 Active Fuel Management engines.