Also driven: Chevrolet Aveo LT

Providing the right marketing is done, Aveo should keep Chevrolet’s dealers going during the sales downturn.

There may not be huge margin in the sale, but it’s a reasonably-priced, decently-built and very accessible runabout for the older driver or school run mum.

With the four-speed auto transmission (an £1,100 premium over the manual) it is painfully slow to build up speed.

Yet gearchanges are pretty smooth and the car’s a doddle to use.

Interior quality is better than its Kalos predecessor but doesn’t match the Mazda2 or Vauxhall Corsa.

Still, the Mazda offers no automatic option, which will deter some customers in this market segment.

• Transmission: auto 5dr
• Engine: 1.4-litre
• Price: £10,645