Detroit, Michigan - General Motors has announced that it will introduce the four-door Pontiac G3 subcompact hatchback to the U.S. market early next year. Sold in Canada as the Wave since 2005, the model will be renamed the G3 in both markets.

The model is also sold in Mexico as a sedan, and is a sister vehicle to the Chevrolet Aveo, which is currently sold in the U.S. Both models are made at the company’s subsidiary in Korea.

“The small-car segment has literally exploded in recent months, with sales up nearly 33 per cent in the first six months of 2008 alone,” said Susan Docherty, vice-president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC. “With its proven success in other markets, we felt the time was right to bring the G3 into the BPG portfolio for our U.S. customers.”

The G3 will arrive in U.S. showrooms next spring as a 2009 model.