So I've been in Shanghai, China all summer for an internship opportunity. Yesterday I saw a nice looking darker grey HHR here... in China... of all places. I can't believe our cars have made it half way across the world!
It had a flex fuel badge on the back I believe and the chrome package and roof rack. Nice lookin ride and something very out of the ordinary in these parts!

 

Hmmm...You don't suppose Bryan Nesbitt who headed up the HHR development process at GM took one with him to China?

He's currently in Shanghai after his "promotion/demotion/sweeping under the rug" in order to become the brand chairman for Wuling and Baojun, two automakers with which G.M. joint ventures.

 

Ha! That would be a funny story if it were here for that reason. I'm almost certain that is not why it is here however.

 

Could it be a Rental car. I know Hertz bought a ton of the LT models in Dark Grey for the US fleet.
I bought a 2011 from them when I left Boise last year just to get back to Washington State and then sold it 3 months later.
I did notice some minor differences in the car the way Hertz gets them.
It was missing some small items when comparing it to my regular production 2011 1LT.
Kinda a Generic version in some ways.

SF