The Chevette, GM's First World Car was originally produced by GM's subsidiary in Germany, Adam Opel AG.
It was produced in Germany between 1973 and 1979 and called the Opel Kadett-C (the C or 3rd Version), and was exported to most European countries, except England, which had its own version (the Vauxhall Chevette which had the ultimate performance version worldwide also, in the HSR) because the steering had to be on the right side there. Because the European people appreciate compact automobiles, it sales were good there.
(Click here for Vauxhall Chevette HSR Pictures)
In the USA it was produced between 1976 and 1987 and had two names: Chevrolet Chevette and Pontiac T-1000. It was the first sub-compact Chevy, introduced to combat the Japanese Compacts. It was the TOP selling single US vehicle during the 1979 - 1981 time frame because of the OPEC Gas Embargo....
In South American countries like Chile, Colombia, Argentina and Bolivia the streets have Chevettes too, because GM of Brazil exported the car to these countries. The exportation model was similar to the one sold in Brazilian market, except by some finishing and engine differences (the 1.4 engine was produced for exportation after its withdraw from Brazilian market).
Other countries have been produced their own Chevettes: South Korea (as Daewoo Maepsy), Australia (as Holden Gemini) and Japan (as Isuzu Gemini), the last two ones had the steering on the right side.
Chevette had several body versions, and each region preferred a distinct one. In Europe the coupe (that only existed there) was the best seller, although the sedan (two and four doors), two doors with a hatchback (City), the station wagon (Caravan) and the Aero (an eccentric half-opened model) were sold too. In the USA only the hatch was produced, with two or four doors (that only existed there). In Brazil the two door sedan was the most successful, although the four door sedan, the two door hatch, the Station Wagon and the Pick-up were sold too.
It's interesting to note that Brazil was the first country where the Chevette was introduced and the last where its production was interrupted.
........this page loosely interpreted from the Chevette website of....Rodrigao....PLEASE Go and Visit it! It is the Brazilian home of the US Chevettes first cousin.......