Made-in-China Chevys for $17,000 Are Winning Fans in Mexico

Uber driver Patricia Gatica looked no further than her nearby Chevrolet dealership for a new car. The mustard yellow Chevy Aveo she chose is small enough to squeeze through the congested streets of Mexico City and it gets a very respectable 48 miles per gallon.

Best of all, with a price tag of about $17,000, the General Motors Co.subcompact is very, very affordable. The secret: The American-branded car sold in Mexico is actually made in China, where cheaper labor and component costs allow companies to churn out less expensive cars.

“When I saw it on the street, I immediately fell ...