In 2006, the Matiz was the center of a controversy over its intellectual rights, because its design was copied by the Chinese manufacturer, Chery Automobile in his model called QQ.
The first generation, known as M100, was launched in 1998. The exterior design was based on the Lucciola concept created from the Ital design Giugiaro in 1993, onto a Fiat Cinquecento platform. The 0.8 liter gasoline engine with multipoint injection and gearbox were the improved versions of the model Daewoo Tico. The model was manufactured under license in Poland, India, Pakistan, Taiwan and Vietnam.
In 2000 the model had the first minor restyling (M150 version). It received in 2002 a one liter engine with four cylinders. This model is still manufactured in Uzbekistan.
After been taken over by General Motors since 2005, the name has changed into Chevrolet Matiz in Europe.
The second generation was introduced in 2005, so that the M200 version, in Romania was marketed as Chevrolet Spark. The design was again created by Italdesign Giugiaro and the engines were upgraded, air drag has been improved and the interior was significantly changed, the main difference being the location of the clocks on the center console. A slight restyling to the front was made in 2007. This generation was manufactured in India, Pakistan, Italy and Vietnam.
The third generation model, internally called M300, was first presented in 2007 in New York as the three door concept, called the Chevrolet Beat. It went into production in 2009 and in 2010 became available in Europe as the Chevrolet Spark. The engines used are 1 and 1.2 liter and four cylinder, so that in the summer of 2011, in premiere for Matiz was introduced a diesel version, available only in India.
In 2000 the model had the first minor restyling (M150 version). It received in 2002 a one liter engine with four cylinders. This model is still manufactured in Uzbekistan.
After been taken over by General Motors since 2005, the name has changed into Chevrolet Matiz in Europe.
The second generation was introduced in 2005, so that the M200 version, in Romania was marketed as Chevrolet Spark. The design was again created by Italdesign Giugiaro and the engines were upgraded, air drag has been improved and the interior was significantly changed, the main difference being the location of the clocks on the center console. A slight restyling to the front was made in 2007. This generation was manufactured in India, Pakistan, Italy and Vietnam.
The third generation model, internally called M300, was first presented in 2007 in New York as the three door concept, called the Chevrolet Beat. It went into production in 2009 and in 2010 became available in Europe as the Chevrolet Spark. The engines used are 1 and 1.2 liter and four cylinder, so that in the summer of 2011, in premiere for Matiz was introduced a diesel version, available only in India.
