Much more exciting looking than the current Matiz model the Beat has the most dramatic look and the General Motors designers believe that this speedy mini-style will appeal to the younger generation. The Beat is a front-wheel-drive threedoor hatchback which is built in such a way that customers will be able to personalise it to show their individuality. Like all three models it was designed in South Korea but built in India. It comes with big 17" alloy wheels and has a 1.2litre turbo charged petrol engine with automatic transmission.

The Groove gets a retrostyle look and was built in Michigan, USA. Designers describe it as being "too tough looking to be cute".

The '50s-style look gets flared bumpers and an upright windscreen and this model comes with front-wheel-drive and a small, fuel efficient onelitre diesel engine. The short bonnet and long cabin make it larger looking than it actually is.

For those who like crossover type styling the Trax is the one. It has a higher design and the chunky nose will, we are told, set the style for the new small car. This is designed to be an all-wheeldrive mini-SUV with huge front and rear bumpers, a rear door mounted tyre and a roof rack. Power comes from a one-litre petrol engine. The clever idea here is that the engine powers the front wheels and an electric motor drives the rear wheels in slippery conditions.

GM say that the Matiz replacement will have styling cues from all three concepts but there are likely to be three versions in production for different markets worldwide based on the designs put on show.

A new platform for the GM range of mini cars has been developed and will be used with these models. A new name is expected to reflect the radical changeover in design strategy. The new platform will also be used by Opel, another GM company, when it produces a model to replace the boxy Agila but apart from this it will have very little in common with the new Chevvy shapes.

Chevrolet, which bought over Daewoo in Korea to help in the development of small cars, is now one of the fastest growing brands in the world with a sales increase of 158% outside North America since 2001.

Sales grew 15% in Europe during 2005/6 topping out at 340,000 in 2006.

In the first quarter of 2007 European sales are expected to increase by 25%.