The C1 is one of a trio of all but identical cars - the other two being the Peugeot 107 and the Toyota Aygo, all of which will be built in the same new factory in the Czech Republic in a partnership project between Toyota and PSA Peugeot-Citroën.

Production will be 100 000 units a year for sale across Europe for each of the three partners.

The three models share a lot of structural components, parts and sub-assemblies but each has its own looks representative of the three marques.

They're all about 3.4m long, 1.6m wide and 1.4m high and are powered by the latest 1.0-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel engines, making them particularly suited to urban driving.

The cars are primarily aimed at the European market, where demand for small cars is expected to increase, so they will also have advanced safety and environmental protection systems.

They have been developed on a common platform and will begin rolling off the lines at a jointly owned plant in Kolín, Czech Republic, in 2005, as envisaged in ther original plan announced in July 2001.

The plant will have an annual production capacity of 300 000 vehicles – 200 000 for Peugeot and Citroën and 100 000 for Toyota – and is expected to contribute widely to the local economy.

Total investment is estimated at €1.5-billion, including research and development and production start-up costs.