Chevy HHR: Already a Disaster
6/27/05, 01:45 PM
#1
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From AutoWeek:
General Motors is dialing back its sales forecast for the retro-styled 2006 Chevrolet HHR wagon that goes on sale this fall.
During an interview at the Los Angeles auto show in January, Gary Cowger, then president of GM North America, said Chevrolet expected to sell 80,000 to 100,000 units annually.
The revised goal is about 60,000 a year.
Jim Campbell, director of Chevrolet car marketing, revealed the lower goal at a press event here. He would not give reasons for the cut.
"If we can press higher, we will," Campbell said. "We have some hard work to do."
The HHR draws on styling cues first seen on the 1949 Chevrolet Suburban. It shares GM's front-drive Delta vehicle architecture with the Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion.
Some journalists have criticized the HHR as being a Chrysler PT Cruiser copycat. And they note that buyer interest in retro vehicles has waned: Ford says it will end Thunderbird production this summer, and the base PT Cruiser has a $4,500 dealer rebate.
Campbell said rivals of the HHR include the Honda Element, Scion xB and the PT Cruiser. Sales are more likely to match the two Japanese models, he said.
In 2004, 47,013 xB vehicles and 59,927 Elements were sold in the United States. Chrysler sold 115,955 PT Cruisers in the United States last year.
"We want to be competitive in the range where the xB and Element are," said Campbell. "Listen, if we can do more, we are going to do more. We are looking for every incremental sale we can get at GM right now."
GM has set a $15,990 base price, including shipping, for the HHR.
Each Chevrolet dealership is expected to have at least one HHR in stock by mid-October. Initial allocation will be based on two factors:
1. A dealership's Aveo, Cobalt and Equinox sales.
2. Scion xB, Honda Element and PT Cruiser sales in that dealership's market area.
Said Campbell: "This will create a distribution pattern where the Western and Southeast regions and the coastal areas will have an opportunity to get a pretty good shot of the initial production."
General Motors is dialing back its sales forecast for the retro-styled 2006 Chevrolet HHR wagon that goes on sale this fall.
During an interview at the Los Angeles auto show in January, Gary Cowger, then president of GM North America, said Chevrolet expected to sell 80,000 to 100,000 units annually.
The revised goal is about 60,000 a year.
Jim Campbell, director of Chevrolet car marketing, revealed the lower goal at a press event here. He would not give reasons for the cut.
"If we can press higher, we will," Campbell said. "We have some hard work to do."
The HHR draws on styling cues first seen on the 1949 Chevrolet Suburban. It shares GM's front-drive Delta vehicle architecture with the Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion.
Some journalists have criticized the HHR as being a Chrysler PT Cruiser copycat. And they note that buyer interest in retro vehicles has waned: Ford says it will end Thunderbird production this summer, and the base PT Cruiser has a $4,500 dealer rebate.
Campbell said rivals of the HHR include the Honda Element, Scion xB and the PT Cruiser. Sales are more likely to match the two Japanese models, he said.
In 2004, 47,013 xB vehicles and 59,927 Elements were sold in the United States. Chrysler sold 115,955 PT Cruisers in the United States last year.
"We want to be competitive in the range where the xB and Element are," said Campbell. "Listen, if we can do more, we are going to do more. We are looking for every incremental sale we can get at GM right now."
GM has set a $15,990 base price, including shipping, for the HHR.
Each Chevrolet dealership is expected to have at least one HHR in stock by mid-October. Initial allocation will be based on two factors:
1. A dealership's Aveo, Cobalt and Equinox sales.
2. Scion xB, Honda Element and PT Cruiser sales in that dealership's market area.
Said Campbell: "This will create a distribution pattern where the Western and Southeast regions and the coastal areas will have an opportunity to get a pretty good shot of the initial production."
6/27/05, 02:20 PM
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Chevy too late again. What a surprise although the HHR is much better looking than the xB 
. I think the cleaning lady pulled that design out of the trash and stuck it back on the table by accident at toyo. God that thing is ugly
My wife has an Element and while it is most certainly not the most attractive it is better looking than some of these designs out there. Plus it has much more power than that wimpy 1.5 L 108hp in the xB.
Right They really wanted to be in the 100,000's for sales. Typical corporate backtalk from GM.
GMC is really having a tough time thinking past next week or tommorow for that matter. They have A LOT of work to do.3
Nice find Brad
. I think the cleaning lady pulled that design out of the trash and stuck it back on the table by accident at toyo. God that thing is ugly My wife has an Element and while it is most certainly not the most attractive it is better looking than some of these designs out there. Plus it has much more power than that wimpy 1.5 L 108hp in the xB.
"We want to be competitive in the range where the xB and Element are," said Campbell. "Listen, if we can do more, we are going to do more. We are looking for every incremental sale we can get at GM right now."
They really wanted to be in the 100,000's for sales. Typical corporate backtalk from GM.GMC is really having a tough time thinking past next week or tommorow for that matter. They have A LOT of work to do.3
Nice find Brad
6/27/05, 07:13 PM
#11
Shelby GT500 Member
I'll give GM one thing, they are consistant! They consistantly design some of the ugliest stuff on 4 wheels. I like their little one like this that's due out. I can't remember the name of that one. This one however, I predict will collect dust right next to overstocked GTOs, and SSRs.
I think 60,000 is a ambitious number.
I think 60,000 is a ambitious number.
6/27/05, 07:26 PM
#12
Wonder what the employee discount is on that? They will need it to sell.
Park this thing next to the Aztek
The name is terrible (Heritage High Roof) and its look is supposedly inspired by another sales success at GM, the SSR.
I think that the concept of an HHR would be exciting if they had thought outside the box and gone in a different styling direction from the PT Cruiser. I am surpirsed they aren't getting sued for it.
Park this thing next to the Aztek
The name is terrible (Heritage High Roof
) and its look is supposedly inspired by another sales success at GM, the SSR.I think that the concept of an HHR would be exciting if they had thought outside the box and gone in a different styling direction from the PT Cruiser. I am surpirsed they aren't getting sued for it.
6/28/05, 12:09 AM
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It does look like the PT Cruiser. How original.
I read today that GM is considering extending the discount past the originally planned July 5 expiration date. They claim it's helping sales. I'm sure it is, but at what cost to their bottom line? I just shake my head sadly.
I read today that GM is considering extending the discount past the originally planned July 5 expiration date. They claim it's helping sales. I'm sure it is, but at what cost to their bottom line? I just shake my head sadly.
6/28/05, 06:13 AM
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It's like someone on Autoblog.com said: when was the last time you saw a 1949 Suburban sell for $100,000+ at the Barrett-Jackson Auction? If you're going to design a new car based on an old one, at least choose a DESIRABLE old one!
6/28/05, 06:27 AM
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Originally posted by TheMustangSource@June 28, 2005, 8:16 AM
It's like someone on Autoblog.com said: when was the last time you saw a 1949 Suburban sell for $100,000+ at the Barrett-Jackson Auction? If you're going to design a new car based on an old one, at least choose a DESIRABLE old one!
It's like someone on Autoblog.com said: when was the last time you saw a 1949 Suburban sell for $100,000+ at the Barrett-Jackson Auction? If you're going to design a new car based on an old one, at least choose a DESIRABLE old one!
6/28/05, 08:56 AM
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Originally posted by scottie1113@June 28, 2005, 12:12 AM
It does look like the PT Cruiser. How original.
It does look like the PT Cruiser. How original.
6/28/05, 01:59 PM
#19
Shelby GT500 Member
Cars like this in my opinion will appeal to two type of people. Car enthusist kinds of people, and old guys trying to relive their younger years. Cars like the Mustang appeal to a much wider audience. People young and old, male and female, car enthusists or not now consider the Mustang when purchasing a vehicle. I'm not even sure how many people wanting to relive the past will consider this thing. You really think they'd have learned their lesson with the SSR.
