The Chevrolet Matiz (also Spark) is a micro car made by GM Daewoo. It is based on the Daewoo Tico, a variant of 1982 Suzuki Alto.
The car started production in 1998 as Daewoo Matiz, model M100. The exterior design is based on Lucciola concept by Giorgetto Giugiaro that was rejected by Fiat S.p.A.. The 0.8 L; engine and the transmission were a carryover from the Tico. The car became the best selling Daewoo model in Europe for the 4 subsequent years.
Since 2000, the CKD kits are supplied to UzDaewooAuto and FSO. Following the takeover by General Motors in 2002, the engine range was updated with 1.0 L S-TEC.
2005 saw the introduction of yet another restyle, model M200. The engines are updated and drag coefficient is lowered, resulting in better fuel economy. The car will be sold under Chevrolet brand in most parts of the world; the Matiz name is retained in Europe/Asia but the Spark is used elsewhere.
By 2007, the aged Alto platform is going to be replaced with a new micro-car platform developed by GM Daewoo engineers.
