The GMC Chevette was a small family car built from 1992 to 1995 by General Motors do Brasil specifically for the Argentine market, where it was sold by both Chevrolet and Renault dealers. It is the only saloon car ever to carry a GMC badge.
GMC Chevette at a glance
| Class | small family car |
|---|---|
| Production | 1992-1995 |
| Built by | General Motors do Brasil |
| Market | Argentina, sold by Chevrolet and Renault dealers |
| Platform | GM T-platform |
| Related models | Opel Kadett, Chevrolet Chevette, Isuzu Gemini |
| Bodies | two-door and four-door saloon |
| Engine | 1.6-litre overhead-camshaft petrol |
| Option | 1.8-litre Isuzu diesel |
| Pickup version | sold in Argentina as the GMC 500 |
| Replaced by | Chevrolet Corsa, 1995 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the GMC Chevette.
History of the GMC Chevette
An export deal
The Chevette came about through a deal between the Argentine and Brazilian operations of General Motors and Renault. Argentine CIADEA-made Renault Trafics were sold as Chevrolets in Brazil, and in return GM do Brasil was allowed to export Chevettes to Argentina. The cars were sold there through both Chevrolet and Renault dealers, a reminder of how closely the two businesses were tied in that market.
Based on the T-platform
The Chevette was a variation of the General Motors T-platform, the same family that produced the Opel Kadett, the Chevrolet Chevette and the Isuzu Gemini. It was offered as a two-door and as a four-door saloon. Power came from a 1.6-litre overhead-camshaft engine, and a 1.8-litre Isuzu diesel was available as an option. A pickup version of the same car was sold in Argentina as the GMC 500.
The only GMC car
The Chevette was the only sedan car to be badged as a GMC. In North America, GMC sold only light and heavy duty trucks until the late 2000s, when the company added crossovers to its range. In Argentina the Chevette was replaced by the Chevrolet Corsa in 1995, ending the short life of GMC’s only passenger car.
Design and features
- Unique badge: the only saloon ever to wear the GMC name.
- T-platform: the same engineering family as the Opel Kadett and Isuzu Gemini.
- Two body styles: a two-door and a four-door saloon.
- Diesel option: a 1.8-litre Isuzu diesel could be ordered.
- GMC 500 pickup: a load-carrying version sold alongside the saloon.
GMC Chevette versions
- Two-door saloon: the shorter-bodied version.
- Four-door saloon: the family version.
- 1.8 diesel: the Isuzu diesel-engined option.
- GMC 500: the pickup version sold in Argentina.
The Chevette was GMC’s only saloon; the rest of the range was trucks such as the GMC Sierra and GMC Sonoma. More cars are in the GMC collection.
Sources
- GMC Chevette, English Wikipedia: production, market, platform, engines, GMC 500
