JonyyB
08-21-2005, 02:26 AM
<img src="http://www.chevyhhr.net/news/hhrbet.jpg" align="left" border="0" hspace="5" vspace="2">The new boxy HHR is designed to attract buyers who normally wouldn't consider a Chevy. But some say GM is late to the party with its entry in the novelty vehicle challenge.
HHR joins the novelty crowd
A look at novel compact crossover vehicles:
2006 Chevrolet HHR
MSRP: $15,425 - $16,425
2005 Honda Element
$17,450 - $21,725
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
$14,270 - $29,220
2005 Scion xB
$14,245 - $15,045
SAN FRANCISCO -- Is the new Chevrolet HHR a bold blend of retro-styling and modern function or a tardy, uninspired knockoff of the Chrysler PT Cruiser?
The answer depends on whom you ask.
With the boxy HHR -- which stands for "Heritage High Roof" -- General Motors Corp. is coming to the market with a high-risk vehicle next month at a time when they need desperately need a hit.
GM says the HHR is a cross between a 1949 Chevrolet Suburban and the Chevy SSR convertible pickup.
"It's kind of a wild card for Chevrolet," HHR designer Phil Zak conceded during a recent test drive near San Francisco.
Chevrolet is the automaker's best selling brand, accounting for more than half of GM's sales. The HHR is designed to bring in buyers that wouldn't normally consider a Chevy.
"If GM is to be successful, then Chevrolet has to be successful," said Jim Campbell, director of Chevrolet car marketing.
Chevrolet has narrowed the sales gap with Ford Motor Co.'s Ford brand to 21,844 units this year, compared with a difference of about 89,000 units in 2004, according to Campbell. But GM's overall U.S. sales are down 6.7 percent this year and it is banking on new models to reverse the slump.
To keep costs down, GM is assembling the HHR on the same basic chassis structure as the Cobalt small car, but it is taller and offers bigger, more flexible cargo space.
The amalgam of new and old, together with a passing resemblance to the five-year old PT Cruiser, has some analysts doubtful that HHR's will connect with buyers. The PT Cruiser made a smash debut in 2000 but demand dropped by 25 percent after two years on the market.
Joe Barker, a product analyst with Farmington Hills consultants CSM Worldwide Inc. wonders about the HHR's styling but said it has a lot of positives.
"The crossover wagon segment has been one of the fastest growing segments," Barker said. "Some attributes are attractive, such as interior refinement and an MSRP (sticker price) under $16,000."
Karl Brauer, the editor in chief of Internet buying guide Edmunds.com, said the HHR could easily flop. Its design is too derivative of the PT Cruiser. And the base 143 horsepower, 2.2-liter Ecotec engine isn't powerful enough, he said. "It blows me away General Motors can release this vehicle," Brauer said.
Bob Lutz, GM's vice chairman for global product development, says the HHR has a completely different shape than the PT Cruiser, offers more cargo space and presents an attractive option for those ready to trade in their Cruisers.
"I don't see anything illegitimate about it," Lutz said in a recent interview. "The HHR gives people the utility of a small minivan, but it's a lot cooler."
Chevrolet hopes to build interest in the vehicle through Internet-based marketing such as podcasts and by showing it off at trendy clubs and concerts. Some traditional television and print advertising is also planned.
Chevy isn't aiming the HHR at buyers in a specific age but is hoping to attract buyers with "a younger mindset," like those who are now looking at the boxy Honda Element and Scion xB, Campbell said.
Last year, combined sales of specialty crossovers such as the PT Cruiser, Element and xB reached more than 200,000 units. GM hopes to sell between 60,000 and 80,000 HHRs a year.
Such features as remote keyless entry, air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, 16-inch wheels and a five-speed manual transmission are standard on all models.
Digital audio devices such as the Apple iPod can be played through the HHR's audio system by connecting to a front jack.
source: http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0506/21/C01-222535.htm
HHR joins the novelty crowd
A look at novel compact crossover vehicles:
2006 Chevrolet HHR
MSRP: $15,425 - $16,425
2005 Honda Element
$17,450 - $21,725
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
$14,270 - $29,220
2005 Scion xB
$14,245 - $15,045
SAN FRANCISCO -- Is the new Chevrolet HHR a bold blend of retro-styling and modern function or a tardy, uninspired knockoff of the Chrysler PT Cruiser?
The answer depends on whom you ask.
With the boxy HHR -- which stands for "Heritage High Roof" -- General Motors Corp. is coming to the market with a high-risk vehicle next month at a time when they need desperately need a hit.
GM says the HHR is a cross between a 1949 Chevrolet Suburban and the Chevy SSR convertible pickup.
"It's kind of a wild card for Chevrolet," HHR designer Phil Zak conceded during a recent test drive near San Francisco.
Chevrolet is the automaker's best selling brand, accounting for more than half of GM's sales. The HHR is designed to bring in buyers that wouldn't normally consider a Chevy.
"If GM is to be successful, then Chevrolet has to be successful," said Jim Campbell, director of Chevrolet car marketing.
Chevrolet has narrowed the sales gap with Ford Motor Co.'s Ford brand to 21,844 units this year, compared with a difference of about 89,000 units in 2004, according to Campbell. But GM's overall U.S. sales are down 6.7 percent this year and it is banking on new models to reverse the slump.
To keep costs down, GM is assembling the HHR on the same basic chassis structure as the Cobalt small car, but it is taller and offers bigger, more flexible cargo space.
The amalgam of new and old, together with a passing resemblance to the five-year old PT Cruiser, has some analysts doubtful that HHR's will connect with buyers. The PT Cruiser made a smash debut in 2000 but demand dropped by 25 percent after two years on the market.
Joe Barker, a product analyst with Farmington Hills consultants CSM Worldwide Inc. wonders about the HHR's styling but said it has a lot of positives.
"The crossover wagon segment has been one of the fastest growing segments," Barker said. "Some attributes are attractive, such as interior refinement and an MSRP (sticker price) under $16,000."
Karl Brauer, the editor in chief of Internet buying guide Edmunds.com, said the HHR could easily flop. Its design is too derivative of the PT Cruiser. And the base 143 horsepower, 2.2-liter Ecotec engine isn't powerful enough, he said. "It blows me away General Motors can release this vehicle," Brauer said.
Bob Lutz, GM's vice chairman for global product development, says the HHR has a completely different shape than the PT Cruiser, offers more cargo space and presents an attractive option for those ready to trade in their Cruisers.
"I don't see anything illegitimate about it," Lutz said in a recent interview. "The HHR gives people the utility of a small minivan, but it's a lot cooler."
Chevrolet hopes to build interest in the vehicle through Internet-based marketing such as podcasts and by showing it off at trendy clubs and concerts. Some traditional television and print advertising is also planned.
Chevy isn't aiming the HHR at buyers in a specific age but is hoping to attract buyers with "a younger mindset," like those who are now looking at the boxy Honda Element and Scion xB, Campbell said.
Last year, combined sales of specialty crossovers such as the PT Cruiser, Element and xB reached more than 200,000 units. GM hopes to sell between 60,000 and 80,000 HHRs a year.
Such features as remote keyless entry, air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, 16-inch wheels and a five-speed manual transmission are standard on all models.
Digital audio devices such as the Apple iPod can be played through the HHR's audio system by connecting to a front jack.
source: http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0506/21/C01-222535.htm