Is HHR done for?
12-12-2009 | 03:40 PM
#21
Former Sponsor
Joined: 11-15-2007
Posts: 282
From: Yorkville, IL
The Cobalt is well into production just a week ago with more new 2010 Cobalts. They plan to continue the Cobalt on the same line it is on now till 2012. The line next to the Coblat line will built the Cruze this sping. In other words both cars will be built in the same building on two different lines.
Note there is no sedan Cruze yet so I suspect the Cobalt will wind down to a Coupe only and fleet sale sedan till the Cruze coupe is ready.
Lordstown is a GM's largest complex and can build several different cars at one time. At this point is is well under capacity. Look for the new small Buick also to be added there in the near future.
I was in the plant last year and they took me to where the new line will be put in. There is a ton of room and planning was already started back then to fire up the new line.
The bottom line is the HHR is out for 2010 and will be with us for 2 more years. The Olrando will not be here till the late 2011 as a 2012 model so the HHR needs to be retained. Sales were down some last year but it is still selling very well and GM has no plans to kill it before it's time.
So stop the worry and know the HHR is still in production and accept for the SS will remain in production for a little longer.
Note there is no sedan Cruze yet so I suspect the Cobalt will wind down to a Coupe only and fleet sale sedan till the Cruze coupe is ready.
Lordstown is a GM's largest complex and can build several different cars at one time. At this point is is well under capacity. Look for the new small Buick also to be added there in the near future.
I was in the plant last year and they took me to where the new line will be put in. There is a ton of room and planning was already started back then to fire up the new line.
The bottom line is the HHR is out for 2010 and will be with us for 2 more years. The Olrando will not be here till the late 2011 as a 2012 model so the HHR needs to be retained. Sales were down some last year but it is still selling very well and GM has no plans to kill it before it's time.
So stop the worry and know the HHR is still in production and accept for the SS will remain in production for a little longer.
12-12-2009 | 05:06 PM
#22
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
GM will have to hope it will pick up some new buyers to make up for the HHR volume.
The Orlando is a world platform that will be sold here, China and Europe.
The HHR is really a true American type car and would not play real well in Europe out side a small fan base like a few of the friends we have here.
The styling of a 1948 Suburban is not something they relate to real well in many areas overseas.
12-15-2009 | 05:16 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
The styling accounts for nearly half of the sales of the HHR. That is what the Orlando has to overcome.
Since it looks like many other people movers on the road it will have to win new buyers with price, quality and features.
It is a competitive market in this class and if they sell a 100K unit the first year I will be shocked.
I just hope GM has some other special things for those of us who don't want to be like everyone else.
I needed a hauler but wanted one that hauled A$$ to. The SS does that. At this point I may have to go back to a truck or car in the future.
I have been hoping GM would do something in the Mini Cooper class but nothing yet has popped up yet.
GM is tight lipped anymore on new products since last June. They have a lot of things we do not know about pretty well along in development. GM no longer has to telegraph their moves to keep stock prices up like they did with the Camaro and Volt.
FYI. The Orlando will spon a Volt powertrain in one model in a couple years. I think this will prove to be more popular than the car.
Note too that all the people and press that have recently driven the Volt came away very impressed even with more tuning to come. They all said it drives like a normal car and has better traits than any other hybrid on the market today.
I think this car will suprised people like the HHR did when they all said it was too late to do any good.
Since it looks like many other people movers on the road it will have to win new buyers with price, quality and features.
It is a competitive market in this class and if they sell a 100K unit the first year I will be shocked.
I just hope GM has some other special things for those of us who don't want to be like everyone else.
I needed a hauler but wanted one that hauled A$$ to. The SS does that. At this point I may have to go back to a truck or car in the future.
I have been hoping GM would do something in the Mini Cooper class but nothing yet has popped up yet.
GM is tight lipped anymore on new products since last June. They have a lot of things we do not know about pretty well along in development. GM no longer has to telegraph their moves to keep stock prices up like they did with the Camaro and Volt.
FYI. The Orlando will spon a Volt powertrain in one model in a couple years. I think this will prove to be more popular than the car.
Note too that all the people and press that have recently driven the Volt came away very impressed even with more tuning to come. They all said it drives like a normal car and has better traits than any other hybrid on the market today.
I think this car will suprised people like the HHR did when they all said it was too late to do any good.
