CHEVROLET has been established long enough to be able to boast that its name is now world famous for producing reliable motor vehicles.
This is fortunate because it has to compete in an aggressive market place where the slightest mistake can cost sales.
So when it took over Daewoo and eventually re-branded the model line-up with Chevrolet badging it was taking a huge gamble. But, as far as risk assessments go, this one was a success.
The high benchmark set by Chevrolet through the decades paid off, and its sales in Europe soared, with more than 440,000 'Chevys' going to good homes.
Surprisingly Russia is now its largest market. Obviously the Russians recognise value for money motoring.
But that said and done, other Europeans, and certainly UK motorists, are not shy in coming forward when it comes to snapping up a 'high value' car at a bargain price.
The new Aveo is one of these models. It is set to replace the Kalos in the grand scheme of things and there will be two variations in the shape of a five-door or three-door version. At the moment the new model is only available in five-door form.
The car will hit the streets sometime during May and you will know that it has arrived by the bold, aggressive front grille. For such a compact model this grille shape is rather eye catching although its design has been spoiled slightly by the bottom half being covered by the front numberplate. The rear end has been treated to a makeover, and is attractive enough to remind me of the latest Corsa.
So, exterior-wise, the new range fits in nicely with current shapes and, quite frankly, is better than some.
Inside it has also been tweaked. It now has more upmarket fixtures and fittings, which offer a pleasant cabin ambience.
I think Chevrolet is deliberately seeking to lower its age profile for included in the line-up is an overtly sporting variant complete with garish, clashing colours. Whilst not to my taste, this colour scheme will undoubtedly attract younger motorists by the score.
The Aveo is available with a 1.2 84PS petrol unit, or a 101PS 1.4. Both new engines offer improved fuel returns other those in the outgoing Kalos and both have decent green credentials. The 1.4 auto, for instance, has 142g/km in the CO2 emissions rating.
On the luggage front they also score well, being able to swallow between 220 and 980 litres of gear.
My particular favourite is the 1.4 automatic. It handled motorway traffic, mountain inclines and town streets fine. My driving colleague was not as convinced as I, but I genuinely feel that if you are to spend the majority of your motoring life around town, then a responsive automatic transmission makes life easier.
I do have an issue with it however. I would rather it had five ratios than the four on offer. It is nice to have that extra bit of oomph on call when you need to move smartly.
Even so, the Aveo mainly fits the bill. The Kalos has served the UK well. I expect this new Polish-built replacement to do even better.
Prices have not been released officially, but a company spokesman said they will kick off at around £7,500, so it will definitely help the marque smash its 2007 sales figure of 18,356 if only because of its obvious ' buyer appeal' exterior.