Simultaneous with the announcement of the new global advertising tagline for Chevrolet vehicle line-up dubbed as: "Chevrolet – We’ll be there," GMPh officials are optimistic that the "emotional charisma" of both Spark LS and Aveo 1.2 L will capture the hearts and pockets of Filipino motoring enthusiasts vying for the mini-car and small car segments.

For the gas-guzzlers Chevrolet Suburvan, Tahoe and Optra, move over please!

Starting with the five-door Spark 1.0-liter, GMPh President Francis Burdett thinks that its European design can make car critics junk impressions that it is mere toy car. Conceptualized by famous Italian designer Giorgetto Guigiaro on the drawing board, this cute four-wheeler can be taken home for only P490,000. By the way, the Spark is a front-wheel drive.

Chevrolet Aveo 1.2-L

Aside from being fuel efficient, these three "Street Gremlins" have another thing in common – they are easy to park and maneuver.

Never mind if it runs on 13-inch tires with steel rims concealed on plastic hub covers, its European body shape, large head lamps and highly-visible, round shaped body will teach everyone what simplicity with elegance means. In Italy, Spark was voted as "The Most Attractive Car of the Year" in the small car category although in the Philippines, GMPh considers it as a mini-car.

"With the Chevrolet Spark, we have created a mini-car that takes a back seat to no one. It sets the new standard for its class in everything from safety to comfort to functionality to quality. And as a bonus, the Spark brings a lot of fun to driving," Burdett said.

More on its European touch, the Chevrolet Spark has its plainly designed instrumentation panel at the center of the dash board. Its two-spoke urethane steering wheel is reminiscent to that of the Aveo’s. Its body shape, its like a "Junior Aveo."

Like the Aveo, the Spark is equipped with a five-speed manual gear box.

Banking on its new company slogan, the Spark’s 1.0-liter multi-point injection SOHC power plant will surely bring you there with lesser fuel. In a recently concluded test run, Erroll Duenas – technical service manager, GMPh After sales Dept. – said the Spark consumed an average of 20 kilometers to a liter on normal highway driving. And when subjected to steep hill climbs at the twisty uphill roads of Talisay-Tagaytay route with three full-size adults on board, it consumed fuel on an average of 14 kilometers to a liter.

"It was an easy climb. It did not struggle," Duenas claimed.

On the other hand, the Aveo 1.2 L variant seems to be prepared to help the image of its predecessor – the Aveo 1.5 which hardly left a mark on the local small car segment.

"Also today, we are pleased to advice the expansion of the Aveo range, with the introduction of the Chevrolet Aveo 1.2 MT. The addition of this model is proof or our intention to expand the Aveo model offerings and to become a serious entrant in the largest passenger car segment, namely: Small Cars," Burdett said.

The previous Aveo sold at an average of 10 to 12 units a month but when GMPh offered it on installment promo, the 1.5 variant’s sales shot up to at least 40 a month.

Now priced at P 550,000, the new Aveo is powered by a 1150cc engine that flexes 72 ps of maximum power with a torque rating of 104 kg-m at 4,400 rpm. GMPh assured that it is fuel efficient and its ready to slug it out with its competitors – the Honda Jazz 1.3 and Toyota Vios 1.3.

A source from GMPh said that the entry of the Spark 1.0 LS and the Aveo 1.2 L signalled the company’s determination to dominate the small car segment in the coming months. At least eight more Chevrolet variants will be launched in the market within the year.