Remember the Chevrolet Aveo? Well, it has been Mexico’s best-selling car for quite a while, and it was recently named the country’s most dangerous vehicle by a Latin American auto safety group. The title comes as a result of the vehicle scoring zero starts out of a possible five in recent crash safety tests conducted in Mexico.
But given that the Aveo starts at 134,800 Mexican Pesos, or roughly $8,000 USD, the results shouldn’t be too surprising. After all, the Aveo doesn’t even have airbags in the Mexican market, and the vehicle on which it is based (or shall we say, the vehicle that the Aveo is a rebadge of) — the Daewoo Kalos T200 — was released in 2002. After 14 years on the market, the equivalent of centuries in the rapidly-changing automotive landscape, the Aveo has received a few changes and enhancements here and there, but nothing that would drastically change or improve its performance in safety tests or real-world accidents.
Speaking of, the safety tests in question were conducted by the Latin New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The organization operates throughout Latin America with the objective of improving occupant protection and car safety.
We feel responsible to note that GM has replaced the Aveo with an all-new model in 2013 2011. Sold as the Sonic in North American markets, the vehicle is substantially more modern and safer than the first-gen Aveo that Chevy continues to sell in Mexico, where it is sold alongside the Daewoo-based Aveo with a starting price of 166,200 Mexican Pesos ($9,900 USD).
The 2016 Chevy Sonic (pictured) replaced the Daewoo-based Chevy Aveo in most global markets. But in Mexico, the Sonic is sold as a more expensive alternative to the Aveo.
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It’s also worth noting that the Chevy Spark gets much better safety ratings too.
Spark is technically the M300, the successor to the T200/T250 in GM Korea lingo. But it too is based on Gamma II like the Sonic/New-Aveo.
The M300 will eventually replace the old Aveo. Eventually. Wouldn’t be surprised at all if the current-gen Spark is sold as the Aveo down there.
Either the Mexican government has no equivalent of the NHTSA and cannot regulate the vehicle safety reqirements, or the same government don’t care if the population is reduced by more deaths in car accidents because the Mexican population is one of the fastest growing (soon will pass the U.S. numbers).
GM should do its part to stop supplying the Aveo parts (or increase its cost), and start replacing the Aveo with the Spark or the Sonic. I have seen images of the Spark used in other Latin-American nations as taxi cars, so Mexico should do the same.
why in the world does the government need to step in to regulate the safety on cars? If the car people can make a cheap car with no airbags, let them sell it. Not all of us are spoiled kids that need mother ( government) to tell us what vehicle is safe to drive in. How many times did you need those airbags in you life? some of us would be glad to pay $8,000 for a brand new car. I don’t care if it don’t have airbags. Instead i have to pay $12,000 for a tiny little spark that has a bunch of government mandated safety features on it.
“If the car people can make a cheap car with no airbags, let them sell it. Not all of us are spoiled kids that need mother ( government) to tell us what vehicle is safe to drive in. How many times did you need those airbags in you life? some of us would be glad to pay $8,000 for a brand new car. I don’t care if it don’t have airbags.”
If an automaker made a car without airbags, it wouldn’t sell no matter how cheap it was.
You might need airbags (and seat belts) only once! A product should be self ‘regulated’ – at least 2B safe – but it cannot – re ignition switches!!!! There are only ‘2 speeds’ in life – First Class & 1/2 ^ssed.
This dreadful car should not be sold anywhere. If the current Spark is sold as a rebadged Aveo in Mexico, that would be a huge improvement. I made the mistake of buying a new 2007 Aveo back in the fall of 2006 because of low price and a need for cheap, short term transportation. That was an HUGE error in judgment by me. Since replaced with a very satisfying 2012 Cruze Eco.
“You get what you pay for”.
Does anyone agree with that statement?
We already had 2 other higher end GM vehicles and just needed something very basic for my moderate commute. I agree, Chris, that you often get what you pay for, but the Aveo was well below the price/value ratio. We definitely should have just gone with a used car in the same price range, but thought the new car warranty would be worthwhile. Live and learn, right? I assume you’ve never made a bad purchasing decision, lol?
Btw- I let my wife and kids drive the better cars! Mr. Nice Guy, I know.
Actually, GM replaced the Aveo with the Sonic in the 2012MY. I bought a brand new 2012 Sonic LTZ Hatchback 1.4L 6spd manual in December 2011and I absolutely love it!
Yup, you’re right. Correction made to the article.
The 2nd gen Aveo and the old Spark are still sold in my country Algeria. Those two cars gives a bad reputation to Chevrolet. People here sees Chevrolet as Chinese bad car. When I speak with friends they just say that that Chevrolet is an American brand and there is no American made car, but Korean and Chinese…