HHR PANEL Article:
02-16-2007, 03:22 PM
#1
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Join Date: 08-20-2006
Location: Hillsdale, Michigan
Posts: 21,640
HHR PANEL Article:
Just found this article on the panel:
2007 Chevrolet HHR LT Panel van
Chevy HHR retooled for business
Panel van a rolling warehouse
February 16, 2007
BY KATIE MERX
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
Chevrolet already has 700 orders for its 2007 HHR Panel van, and it expects more where those came from: its commercial fleet customers.
After all, the idea to build a panel van version of the retro wagon was their idea.
"At one of our product shows a couple of years ago, the fleet manager from one of our commercial customers ... said that the HHR would work really well for them" as a panel van, said General Motors Corp. spokesman Rob Minton. "A couple other customers, especially pharmaceutical customers, said they could use it as well."
Especially appealing to GM's pharmaceutical and electronics fleet customers -- who cherish privacy -- Minton said, are the lack of windows in the back as well as lockable in-floor cargo compartments where the rear seats would go in a passenger vehicle.
Appealing to other small businesses, delivery companies and enthusiasts: a full windowless body panel to decorate.
The HHR Panel goes into production in March and is expected to begin arriving at dealerships by April 1, he said.
With a starting price just under $17,000, 57 cubic feet of cargo space and 30 m.p.g., GM expects the new Chevy van to be a big hit with its business customers.
The automaker won't share production estimates, but expects 80% of sales to be to commercial customers.
Auto analyst Kevin Tynan, of Argus Research in New York, said the panel van is likely to serve a very specific niche, but he doesn't expect it to be a high-volume seller.
"It's quirky," Tynan said. "It's really more of an image product. ... If you're a local flower shop and you're making deliveries, you can paint your company logo on the side. It's a little flashier, it will draw a little more attention than a plain white cargo van."
2007 Chevrolet HHR LT Panel van
Chevy HHR retooled for business
Panel van a rolling warehouse
February 16, 2007
BY KATIE MERX
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
Chevrolet already has 700 orders for its 2007 HHR Panel van, and it expects more where those came from: its commercial fleet customers.
After all, the idea to build a panel van version of the retro wagon was their idea.
"At one of our product shows a couple of years ago, the fleet manager from one of our commercial customers ... said that the HHR would work really well for them" as a panel van, said General Motors Corp. spokesman Rob Minton. "A couple other customers, especially pharmaceutical customers, said they could use it as well."
Especially appealing to GM's pharmaceutical and electronics fleet customers -- who cherish privacy -- Minton said, are the lack of windows in the back as well as lockable in-floor cargo compartments where the rear seats would go in a passenger vehicle.
Appealing to other small businesses, delivery companies and enthusiasts: a full windowless body panel to decorate.
The HHR Panel goes into production in March and is expected to begin arriving at dealerships by April 1, he said.
With a starting price just under $17,000, 57 cubic feet of cargo space and 30 m.p.g., GM expects the new Chevy van to be a big hit with its business customers.
The automaker won't share production estimates, but expects 80% of sales to be to commercial customers.
Auto analyst Kevin Tynan, of Argus Research in New York, said the panel van is likely to serve a very specific niche, but he doesn't expect it to be a high-volume seller.
"It's quirky," Tynan said. "It's really more of an image product. ... If you're a local flower shop and you're making deliveries, you can paint your company logo on the side. It's a little flashier, it will draw a little more attention than a plain white cargo van."
02-16-2007, 05:22 PM
#4
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Join Date: 07-21-2006
Location: Ft Walton Bch FL
Posts: 1,708
I think it's a great vehicle for local delivery. I get about 24 mpg around town while my minivan got 15 mpg. Leaving the side doors in gives even more access to cargo. I could see even maintenance workers buying the panel HHR. Many only carry a small amount of tools.
The really questions is whether there will be any left for HHR enthusiasts like us!
The really questions is whether there will be any left for HHR enthusiasts like us!
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