HHR: A big hit for Chevy!

Pontiac Ninja · 03-08-2006, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Flexible HHR wagon a big hit for Chevy

Thursday, March 02, 2006

By Don Hammonds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A surprise hit is always a good thing for a carmaker, but Chevy's HHR must seem like manna from heaven for troubled General Motors. While much has been made of GM's financial loses and dramatic corporate restructuring, the company has been watching sales roll in for one of its most creative models -- the HHR, a small, flexible retro wagon/crossover that can be personalized to the nth degree.

GM thought it would sell 60,000 of these cuties in a year. In just four short months since it went into production in August, 41,000 HHRs were sold. Some analysts say that 100,000 a year -- or more -- may not be out of the question.

Even better for GM, the HHR is especially hot with the hip East Coast and West Coast crowds. About 60 percent of the HHRs went out the showroom door with aftermarket accessories, parts and other pieces emblematic of personalization. The demographic group most associated with the personalization trend are those under 40.

Standard equipment is generous, including fold-flat passenger seats; a standard 2.2-liter, 143-horsepower, four-cylinder engine; remote start; a five-speed manual transmission; air conditioning; and AM/FM/CD stereo with an accessory input jack for auxiliary iPod/MP3). It comes in three trim levels: LS, 1LT and 2LT.

Optional equipment includes a 172-horsepower, 2.4-liter four; side air bags; a four-speed automatic; traction control; sports suspension; a power sunroof and 17-inch wheels. Fuel mileage for both engines is in the 22/30 miles per gallon range.

The first thing that I and my family noticed about the HHR was how the extra large door openings make it easy to get in and out. This car also could be a hit with those with limited movement o
r extra girth.

The interior is much nicer than you might be accustomed to from the old GM. The HHR's interior had soft plastic, contrasting colors and substantial, durable-looking leathers. The seats are thick and supportive and even their backs are nicely finished. It's obvious that GM has undertaken efforts to improve its models' interiors, so it's time to give credit where it's due.

Article continued at link:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06061/663272.stm

I had no idea the HHR was doing so well. That is such great news for GM. Just thought I would share as many others on here may have had the same thought as me.

Quote:

Even better for GM, the HHR is especially hot with the hip East Coast and West Coast crowds. About 60 percent of the HHRs went out the showroom door with aftermarket accessories, parts and other pieces emblematic of personalization. The demographic group most associated with the personalization trend are those under 40.

Looks like the "ballas" and "gangstas" are loving it too!

Quote:

The interior is much nicer than you might be accustomed to from the old GM. The HHR's interior had soft plastic, contrasting colors and substantial, durable-looking leathers. The seats are thick and supportive and even their backs are nicely finished. It's obvious that GM has undertaken efforts to improve its models' interiors, so it's time to give credit where it's due.

AND better interior,

. It looks like things really may be headed in the right direction for GM!

Sorry, just wanted to point out what stuck out for me!

Kdawg207 · 03-08-2006, 08:04 AM

ugh
the only hit it would get from me - is with a bat

but good to see somethin is selling for GM

lironet · 03-08-2006, 08:17 AM

"HHR: A big hit for Chevy!"

This is clearly an enigma.

coupe · 03-08-2006, 08:20 AM

I havent seen one of those on the road yet and all the dealers i see them at have been sitting there for awhile.

mightypan42 · 03-08-2006, 08:28 AM

^^You aren't in the hip east coast or west coast crowd.

Out of sheer curiosity... are the 4 cyl engines Ecotecs?

lironet · 03-08-2006, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightypan42

Out of sheer curiosity... are the 4 cyl engines Ecotecs?

Yes

Pontiac Ninja · 03-08-2006, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lironet

"HHR: A big hit for Chevy!"

This is clearly an enigma.

copped it from the article title, call me crazy

crazypontiac03 · 03-08-2006, 09:09 AM

Call Me Crazy, I kinda Like it!! It looks Different then what out there on the road now, Also It has enough Hp and MPG for a good Daily Driver. My dad was going to get one, he went ahead and got the Torrent, he wanted more room yet. If i had to get a small car right now. I would Buy one.

Dont know where u guys live, but here in IL u can see alot of them. Local Chevy Dealer Can't keep them in stock, He order's about 4-7 a Month and there gone within Four Weeks. Not to mention how many people order from Factory.

Metallman56 · 03-08-2006, 09:13 AM

man i guess gm should rip off chysler designs more often. but hey thank god there sellin something.

Graxall · 03-08-2006, 10:24 AM

I kinda like this car. they are all over the place by me. now they gotta do what they did to the PT cruiser, turbo it!

Braves299 · 03-08-2006, 10:34 AM

I think it looks great. It's got a lot more style than the PT Cruiser, and the color choices are cool too. I see them all over the place now, so I wasn't shocked to read they were selling well.

RAZE · 03-08-2006, 10:46 AM

I have yet to see one on the road.

Exodus · 03-08-2006, 11:46 AM

I've seen only 2.

Graxall · 03-08-2006, 11:57 AM

Yea they come in some pretty nice colors. Fusion Orange ect...

DrFabulous · 03-08-2006, 12:00 PM

I've seen a share of them, and I like them more and more.

Exodus · 03-08-2006, 12:24 PM

lets see who does better once dodge puts out their version of the _I forgot the name of it

elim · 03-08-2006, 12:48 PM

It's a good car for the purposes it was intended to be used for. Good gas mileage, more than decent storage room and more than adequate passenger space. The car is slow as balls, accelerates as if there's an anchor attached to it, and oh yeah....it's butt ugly.

Metallman56 · 03-08-2006, 01:00 PM

i remember last year at the car show, the first time i saw it i was like why the f*ck does that new pt crusier have a chevy emblem on it? then i was like, you HAVE to be kidding me. out of all the car they had to copy they picked this one. well atleast sales are good.

GregFarz78 · 03-08-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coupe

I havent seen one of those on the road yet and all the dealers i see them at have been sitting there for awhile.

the same ones have been sitting at the chevy dealer near me for a while now a layer of dust is forming...I personally think they are a hideous rip off of another hideous car the PT cruiser but its selling so whatever works for GM is good.

SpyhunteR · 03-08-2006, 01:24 PM

I see at least two or three a day here.... And on campus you see them in the parking lot. They're around, quite a bit. however I see more xB's in Vegas than HHR's... and most of the xB's are running on some bling.

03-08-2006, 08:20 AM	#4
coupe lick it AKA: Rand Join Date: May 2003 Location: Grand Rapids, Mi Age: 40 Posts: 7,347 Vehicle: 99 GAGT/96 Z71/05 R6	I havent seen one of those on the road yet and all the dealers i see them at have been sitting there for awhile. __________________ CarDomain.com http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endID=31690558 he has asserted his dominance over competing males with the loud masculine sound form his exaust system, Females searching for a potential mate will be driven away by weaker exaust systems and attracted to his SLP.

03-08-2006, 08:28 AM	#5
mightypan42 GAGT - Member AKA: Jimmy Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Charleston, WV Age: 39 Posts: 640 Vehicle: 2005 Ranger XLT	^^You aren't in the hip east coast or west coast crowd. Out of sheer curiosity... are the 4 cyl engines Ecotecs? __________________

03-08-2006, 09:09 AM	#8
crazypontiac03 MiDnIgHt AKA: Jason/Sparky Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: IL Age: 37 Posts: 3,019 Vehicle: 2008 HHR/05 Galant	Call Me Crazy, I kinda Like it!! It looks Different then what out there on the road now, Also It has enough Hp and MPG for a good Daily Driver. My dad was going to get one, he went ahead and got the Torrent, he wanted more room yet. If i had to get a small car right now. I would Buy one. Dont know where u guys live, but here in IL u can see alot of them. Local Chevy Dealer Can't keep them in stock, He order's about 4-7 a Month and there gone within Four Weeks. Not to mention how many people order from Factory. __________________ Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if it wasn't for FORD's our tools would rust! "Unions were the rise and will be the fall of this Great Nation" "A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in... And how many want out." Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you: 1. Jesus Christ 2. The American G. I. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. -Tony Blair

03-08-2006, 09:13 AM	#9
Metallman56 Bears Fan AKA: Metall Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Indiana Age: 36 Posts: 3,856 Vehicle: 2001 grand am gt coupe	man i guess gm should rip off chysler designs more often. but hey thank god there sellin something. __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/ride/209706...am?action=demo So you proved your point about the camaro - condense your sig. - Your friendly Administration

03-08-2006, 10:34 AM	#11
Braves299 WVU owns you AKA: David Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Derwood, Maryland Age: 36 Posts: 2,170 Vehicle: '99 GA SE 3.4, '06 Ram	I think it looks great. It's got a lot more style than the PT Cruiser, and the color choices are cool too. I see them all over the place now, so I wasn't shocked to read they were selling well. __________________ Carl Lee Combs July 8, 1944 - February 20, 2002 "Gone for now, never forgotten"

03-08-2006, 08:17 AM	#3
lironet GAGT - Member AKA: Don't Know Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 42 Posts: 435 Vehicle: 08 Stang GT & 04 GA SE	"HHR: A big hit for Chevy!" This is clearly an enigma.

03-08-2006, 10:46 AM	#12
RAZE GAGT oldtimer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: NYC - Manhattan Age: 39 Posts: 2,965 Vehicle: 2004 GTO	I have yet to see one on the road. __________________ Past: 2001 GT1 Coupe 75th Anniversary Edition 8/18/01 - 11/25/03 2000 Supercharged GA: 12/24/03-9/22/05 2004 Impulse Blue GTO 99 Grand Prix GT Coupe - 10/10/08-1/9/10 2010 Black Audi S5 Coupe Current: 2009 Corolla S - Commuter car 2013 Jetta Hybrid - Commuter Car 2005 Metallic Black Pontiac GTO 2014 BMW 650iX M Sport convertible 1987 Fox Body Mustang GT

03-08-2006, 11:46 AM	#13
Exodus Down Rodeo AKA: Minchione Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Marlboro/LBI, NJ Age: 39 Posts: 1,734 Vehicle: 12 Altima \| 08 TL/S	I've seen only 2.

03-08-2006, 12:00 PM	#15
DrFabulous FIGJAM AKA: Matt Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: MN Posts: 9,675 Vehicle: Acura\|Chevy\|Porsche	I've seen a share of them, and I like them more and more. __________________ '18 Acura MDX Kid hauler '15 Chevrolet Tahoe Toy Hauler '01 Porsche Boxster Project

03-08-2006, 12:24 PM	#16
Exodus Down Rodeo AKA: Minchione Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Marlboro/LBI, NJ Age: 39 Posts: 1,734 Vehicle: 12 Altima \| 08 TL/S	lets see who does better once dodge puts out their version of the _I forgot the name of it

03-08-2006, 12:48 PM	#17
elim GAGT - Senior Member AKA: Jason Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Virginia Age: 40 Posts: 1,127 Vehicle: 05 GTO	It's a good car for the purposes it was intended to be used for. Good gas mileage, more than decent storage room and more than adequate passenger space. The car is slow as balls, accelerates as if there's an anchor attached to it, and oh yeah....it's butt ugly. __________________ '04 GTO '06 Team Associated Nitro TC3 - [Click here to see up to date points series results.]

03-08-2006, 01:00 PM	#18
Metallman56 Bears Fan AKA: Metall Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Indiana Age: 36 Posts: 3,856 Vehicle: 2001 grand am gt coupe	i remember last year at the car show, the first time i saw it i was like why the f*ck does that new pt crusier have a chevy emblem on it? then i was like, you HAVE to be kidding me. out of all the car they had to copy they picked this one. well atleast sales are good. __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/ride/209706...am?action=demo So you proved your point about the camaro - condense your sig. - Your friendly Administration

03-08-2006, 01:24 PM	#20
SpyhunteR #1 hater AKA: Rob Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Las Vegas Age: 38 Posts: 4,968 Vehicle: 01' 2.4T GA / 08 TBSS	I see at least two or three a day here.... And on campus you see them in the parking lot. They're around, quite a bit. however I see more xB's in Vegas than HHR's... and most of the xB's are running on some bling. __________________ Hey kids going to Vegas? Let me help you help me help you! Shoot me an email or PM for all your Vegas Night Club bottle hallucinations & strip club desires! FACEBOOKFACE! "Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car and oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, torque is how far you take the wall with you."

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