The Chevy Trax five-seater suv (seen below) went on sale in Mexico and Canada late last year.

FORBES: Chevrolet Flexing Global Muscles at Detroit Show

Thanks to this intelligent packaging, the five-seater retains the familiar, generous interior space and luggage space of the B-Class.

ENGADGET: Mercedes-Benz introduces B-Class Electric Drive, we go eyes-on

We use the slightly more efficient five-seater Leaf for most local driving.

FORBES: Why choose? Meet the family with a Chevy Volt and a Nissan Leaf

The firm is planning to put the batteries in a new five-seater family car called the Leaf that it intends to launch late next year in Japan and America as part of its alliance with Renault.

ECONOMIST: The electrification of motoring