When did they stop making Chevettes?
The Chevette line was discontinued at different times depending on the market. In the United States, production ended in 1987; in Europe, the UK’s Vauxhall/Opel version finished earlier in 1984; in Brazil and several Latin American markets, the Chevette persisted into the early 1990s, with the last units produced around 1993–1994 depending on the factory and variant.
Global production timeline
The Chevrolet Chevette nameplate appeared in multiple regions with varying lifespans. The following breakdown highlights end dates by major markets.
United States and Canada
In North America, the Chevrolet Chevette was produced for the domestic market from 1976 through 1987. The model faced competition from newer front-wheel-drive subcompact designs and GM’s evolving small-car strategy.
- End year: 1987
The North American conclusion for the Chevette reflected GM’s shift toward newer subcompact platforms in the late 1980s.
United Kingdom and Europe
Across the UK and much of mainland Europe, the Chevette was sold by Vauxhall/Opel. Production ran from 1975 to 1984, when it was replaced by newer small-car offerings such as the Vauxhall Nova (Corsa-based).
- End year: 1984
The European end date came earlier than in North America, aligned with rapid refresh cycles in GM’s European lineup.
Brazil and Latin America
In Brazil and several Latin American markets, the Chevette enjoyed a much longer run, with production beginning in the 1970s and continuing into the early 1990s. Brazilian-built Chevettes are often cited as the longest-lived version of the nameplate, with final units produced around 1993–1994 depending on the model and factory.
- End year: approximately 1993–1994 (Brazil/Latin America)
Latin American markets gradually transitioned to newer GM small-car architectures in the 1990s, ending the Chevette era there.
Why the Chevette ended and what came next
GM’s global product strategy and market evolution pushed the Chevette out of production. Key factors included aging platforms, rising safety and emissions standards, and competition from newer, more efficient small cars. GM shifted toward standardized global platforms and newer models to meet changing demand.
- Need for updated platforms and compliance with newer regulations
- Competition from more modern subcompacts
- Adoption of new GM small-car models across markets
In short, the Chevette’s decline reflected GM’s broader push toward contemporary, globally shared designs rather than a single regional end date.
What replaced the Chevette in key markets
As the Chevette faded from production, different markets adopted successors tailored to local needs:
- United States and Canada: subsequent small-car lines and the Metro/Sprint family lineage, along with later entries in the Chevrolet subcompact lineup
- United Kingdom and Europe: the Vauxhall/Opel Corsa (plus related Nova variants) as the entry-level hatchback
- Brazil and Latin America: the Chevrolet Corsa/Classic lineage, followed by newer models like the Celta and other compact hatchbacks
These replacements illustrate GM’s move toward contemporary, globally shared platforms while preserving a presence in the subcompact segment.
Summary
Chevette production did not end in a single year worldwide. The United States and Canada stopped in 1987, Europe’s end came in 1984, and Brazil plus other Latin American markets kept building Chevettes into the early 1990s, with final units around 1993–1994. The model’s demise was driven by GM’s shift to newer platforms and updated small-car offerings across its global portfolio.
When did Chevy stop making the Chevette?
December 23, 1986
The last Chevette was manufactured on December 23, 1986, at Lakewood Assembly – following the end of production at Wilmington Assembly in September, 1985. The last Chevette manufactured was a light-blue two-door hatchback shipped to a Chevrolet dealer in Springdale, Ohio.
What is the rarest Chevy ever made?
The rarest Chevy ever made is the 1969 Corvette ZL1, with only two units ever built. This ultra-limited production car featured an all-aluminum 427 cubic-inch engine and was a factory-built race car disguised as a road-going Corvette.
You can watch this video to learn more about the rarest Chevrolet Corvette, the ZL1: 55sAmerican ClassicsYouTube · Apr 6, 2025
- Ultra-rare production: Only two were ever manufactured due to the high cost, with the ZL1 option alone adding thousands of dollars to the base price.
- Powerful engine: It was powered by a special all-aluminum 427 cubic-inch V8 engine, a more powerful and lighter version of the L88 Corvette's engine.
- Purpose-built for racing: The ZL1 was essentially a street-legal race car, making it a highly sought-after and significant model for collectors.
- High value: Today, these cars are considered "unicorns" and have sold for millions of dollars at auction.
Was the Chevy Chevette a good car?
The Chevy Chevette was a good car for its time, primarily because it was affordable and offered excellent fuel economy during the era of the 1970s oil crisis. It was a utilitarian, reliable, and inexpensive entry-level vehicle that sold well for model years 1979 and 1980, and many owners have fond memories of its dependability. However, it was a mechanically simple car with low horsepower and lacked style, which led to criticism for being a less advanced option compared to its front-wheel-drive Japanese and European competitors.
Pros of the Chevette
- Fuel efficiency: It was designed to be a gas-sipper, achieving up to 40 MPG on the highway with its base engine and even higher figures with its optional diesel engine.
- Affordability: The Chevette was an inexpensive new car with low operating costs, which made car ownership accessible for many people.
- Reliability: Many owners found the car to be dependable, with GM focusing on building a car that was mechanically sound and built to last.
- Success: It was the best-selling small car in the U.S. for model years 1979 and 1980, with 2.8 million units produced over its lifetime.
Cons of the Chevette
- Lack of power: With 52 horsepower in its base 1.4-liter engine and a maximum of 74 horsepower in later models, acceleration was slow.
- Basic and unstylish: The car had a boxy, utilitarian design with minimal options, and its rear-wheel-drive platform made for an awkward driveline tunnel that reduced passenger room.
- Outdated technology: It was a technologically crude car compared to its competitors, which were already moving to front-wheel-drive.
- Quality issues: Some models had reported mechanical issues and poor construction, and certain parts, like the floor, were known to rot out over time.
How much is a Chevette worth today?
Q: What is the lowest sale price of a Chevrolet Chevette? A: The lowest recorded sale price was $5,800 for a 1981 Chevrolet Chevette Scooter on Apr 27 2022. Q: What is the average sale price of a Chevrolet Chevette? A: The average price of a Chevrolet Chevette is $15,663.
