In fact, the first electric vehicle was manufactured in the early 19th century, predating the invention of both gasoline and diesel internal-combustion engines. Its limited range, though, along with the rapid development of road infrastructure in the early 20th century that made travels much easier, caused its demise.
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The five-door, four-seat subcompact hatchback will be available in the U.S. and Canada with a single engine option, a 1.2-liter four-cylinder with an output of 85HP that turns the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox or, optionally, a four-speed automatic transmission.
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You see, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal, during the event, computers displayed a derogatory remark after any mention of certain GM competitors like Chrysler to the 200 members of the media who were using the company’s internet network.
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The pure-electric version of its Spark city car will be produced in limited numbers for select global and US markets, including California, starting from 2013.
“The Spark EV offers customers living in urban areas who have predictable driving patterns or short commutes an all-electric option”, said Chevrolet’s global vehicle chief engineer for electric vehicles Jim Federico.
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What you may not realise until the last twenty seconds (assuming you’re seeing this ad for the first time and didn’t look at the title of this post) is that it’s a TV commercial for Chevrolet’s European arm.
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The Detroit-based automaker has not yet released details on its Z-Spec concept models, but from what we can tell by looking at the photos, all three cars receive similar upgrades including unique alloy wheels wrapped in chunkier tires, exterior graphics, mild body modifications and numerous touches inside like the sports steering wheel and niftier materials and colors. Photo gallery after the jump.
General Motors may have yet to announce the type of small car that it intends to build in the States - although, as we've said before, everything points to the Chevy Spark, but today the automaker revealed that it has narrowed its options to three existing sites in the U.S. The assembly plants in consideration are in Orion, Michigan, Spring Hill, Tennessee and Janesville, Wisconsin with GM supporting that it will most likely reach a final decision in the next few weeks. "Given the importance of this small car program, and in an effort to move quickly to identify the plant, GM leadership has begun discussions regarding selection criteria with Federal and State government officials from Michigan, Tennessee and Wisconsin," said GM in a prepared statement. "We hope to identify and announce the future production site of the small car within the next several weeks."
Faced with heavy criticism after it was revealed that it was planning to increase vehicle imports from lower-wage economies such as Mexico and China, General Motors announced on Friday plans to build a future small car in the U.S. utilizing an idled UAW-GM facility. The automaker's vague press release does not give out any details on the car (though everything points towards the 2011 Chevy Spark) nor the location of the plant with GM saying that the selection of the site "will be determined in the future". However, the carmaker did note that the re-tooled factory will be capable of building around 160,000 cars annually, which can be a combination of both small and compact vehicles. 
According to General Motors, the introduction of the small car will boost the company's percentage of U.S.-built cars and trucks sold in the States from about 67 percent today, to beyond 70 percent by 2013.
"Small cars represent one of the fastest growing segments in both the U.S. and around the world," said Fritz Henderson, General Motors President and CEO. "We believe this car will be a winner with our current and future customers in the U.S."
"I would like to personally thank the UAW for agreeing to work with us to ensure our overall manufacturing competitiveness in the United States. It takes a special effort by everyone to bring a domestically produced small car to market in a cost-competitive and profitable way - but that is what we are going to do together," Henderson added.
General Motors chose this year's Geneva Motor Show to unveil the all-new Chevrolet Spark supermini that will go on sale in Europe later this year followed by the USA, India and other core international markets. Derived from the Beat concept car, the most popular of a trio of Chevy mini concepts that toured international motor shows in 2007, the five-door Spark is powered by a choice of 1.0 and 1.2-litre petrol engines developing 66 and 78HP respectively.
Both engines are mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and are expected to offer a combined cycle fuel economy of below 5.0L/100 km (over 47mpg US), together with CO2 emissions of less than 120 gr/km. Chevrolet said that the 1.2-liter engine is expected to deliver zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration in 12.4 seconds.
Packing a 2,375 mm wheelbase into its 3,640mm long body, the Spark offers 170-liter trunk volume, which can be increased to 994 liters by lowering the 60/40 split-fold rear seat-back.
Since General Motors is investing heavily on the upcoming Transformers 2 movie, 'Revenge of the Fallen' with five Chevrolet-based characters taking roles as Autobots, it doesn't surprise us at all that the automaker managed to secure exclusive footage of the film edited by director Michael Bay. The video that follows contains scenes with all five Chevy-bots, including SIDESWIPE (Corvette Stingray concept), SKIDS and MUDFLAP (based on Chevy's Beat and Trax concepts), JOLT (Volt) and of course, BUMBLEBEE (Camaro SS).
Dave Lyon, director of GM Design, walks us around the all-new Chevrolet Spark minicar that makes its world premiere at the Geneva Auto show in March 2009. When the Spark hits European showrooms later this year replacing the Matiz in Chevy's range, it will be offered with 1.0-liter and 1.2-liter petrol engines. Sales in the U.S. and other major markets will follow in 2011. Click here for more photos and details or hit the jump to watch the video.
Next month's Geneva Show will see the world debut of the 2010 Chevrolet Spark which is set to go on sale in Europe towards the end of the year with the U.S.A and other core international markets following suite in 2011. Due to replace the Matiz in the 'Old Continent', the Spark was inspired by the Chevy Beat 3d concept, the most popular of a trio of mini-car concepts that were revealed back in 2007. 
Even though the production Spark comes with a five-door body style, it retains all of the concept's styling cues adding a few more interesting details such as the 'hidden' rear door handles. With an overall length of 3,640 mm and a 2,375 mm wheelbase, the Spark is slightly larger than Fiat's A-Segment Panda that measures 3,538 mm in length.
The design of Spark's interior continues the funky exterior theme with a swoopy dashboard and a motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster that is mounted on the on the steering column.
In Europe, power will come from a choice of 1.0 and 1.2-litre 16-valve four-cylinder gasoline engines with GM promising that they will deliver "excellent fuel efficiency and low emissions."
Depending on global markets, the Spark's safety equipment will include driver and passenger front air bags, front side airbags, roof rail head curtain airbags, antilock brakes and electronic stability control. Prices and exact equipment specifications are be announced closer to the car's on sale date.
