The second generation Chevrolet Matiz facelift has just gone on sale, leaving the GM engineers with enough time to start testing the next generation model. The next third generation, ultra-small Matiz (also known as Chevrolet Spark depending on where you live) is codenamed M300, GMDAT-M and 'Global Mini'.
The body work resembles a very rough and only slightly taped up version of the pre-facelift 2005 Chevy Matiz, but you can clearly see the differing cut lines at the rear wheel arch and the bolted on front fascia with a more bulging hood.
Our spy photographer reckons that production of the Matiz and spark should start in the spring of 2009 which would be roughly in line with the estimated launch date of the Chevy Beat.
GM stated in an earlier press release that the Beat will go on sale mid-2009. It could just be that the Beat will replace the Matiz and Spark altogether to create that 'global mini' (except North America) car as that is the ongoing rumour in China where the Spark is sold.
