HHR: Fit To Be Tailored

How about a SS version? Just pluck some parts from the Cobalt SS Supercharged.

That's great news Bob. The HHR is definately a winner. Now...how about getting some new Monte Carlo's into dealerships? I have one on order in Las Vegas, and was told it has been built (3 weeks ago), but not shipped. I know I won't get a response..but what gives?!

How about a SS woody.

how much profit can GM generate from $16K cars,not much. they need profits like they get from $40K+ SUVs

Hey Bob, when the Japanese finally overtake the so called, Big Three what will you guys be called then?
How about The Three Amigos or maybe The Three Stooges. It will happen Bob as a matter of fact its already happening. Former GM owner.

Bob, if you really want to rave about how the HHR is 'fit to be tailored', you really need to have a line of OEM accessories that allow us to personalize it more.

What does SPO offer us? Not much. And when they do? I'll guarantee you that precious little fanfare will surround such items.

I really had to laugh at that release your PR pushed upon us the other week regarding the GM Accessory Design Center. Placing unique vehicle accessories and designs first.

I laughed because this isn't the first time I've heard this from your organization. GM's often promised unique accessories and performance parts for vehicles in the past, and in the end run, they're either continually delayed to the consumer aftermarket, not visibly marketed, or simply pathetic. I'm sorry; embroidered floormats do NOT count as a personalized, let alone 'tailored' accessory.

Why not beat Chrysler at it's own Retro-Cute-Ute game? While I often argue for more variants and unique niches of GMT 009 (SS, 2-door coupe that was @ SEMA, convertible, etc...), I want to ask you today why GMa can't have a range of OEM accessories to truly personalize the HHR?

I refer you to Scion, a rather popular small car brand among my youthful generation. If you haven't noticed, there's a suprisingly wide array of rather neat and unique enhancements that can be installed at the dealer.

Are the most amazing HHR personalizations going to come from custom shops? Certainly. But that doesn't mean in any sense that GM can't offer neat parts that customize their HHR without breaking the wallet, and - most importantly - the OEM warranty.

GM needs more than just some simple window vents and fascia bras to truly declare the HHR a 'personalizable' vehicle. While you've delivered some neat vehicles to market as of late, you really need to ensure that your company delivers on this aspect.

Great vehicle Bob. Lets not forget that it is also available with the best front wheel drive automatic transmission built in the industry. Built by Windsor Transmission, GM Powertrain.

I was behind an HHR tonight, nice looking car, but the brakelights are too intense. They are too bright and made me uncomfortable ( had to use my visor during redlights).
Almost like rear fog warning lights in European cars.

HHR is a hit, from the dealership stand point we cant get enough.

From a personally point I'd like to see a mini truck based on the delta platform, almost an avalanch version of the HHR... I think that would be a hit also... a hit and run nitch market...

Well... as for the HHR, I think it is a great seller, but at some point the dealership wont be able to get rid of them... so dont increase production too much... keep it something interesting... dont follow the same success of the PT cruiser... where they were limited versions selling for 35k and now u can easily get them for 9k

Congratulations on the HHR. GM proved it can come through. The key was 'bang for the buck'.

There has to be a way to get all the sticker prices down without impacting margins.
Many people cross-shop brands based on the sticker price, not the potential negotiated price.

I think GM needs to direct sell vehicles. Cut out all the middle guys.

Utilize the internet for additional discounted prices when ordering cars built to order. (get the funds upfront too) The car could even be tracked by web cams while being built. Or at least played back. (just some key assembly steps, don't give away the farm)
At the same time pick-up all the things the dealer usually gets. Everything from insurance, financing, extended warranties, accessories, the works. Deliver the vehicle to the customer's door.
Use Kiosk & big screens for showrooms in strategic locations. No people. In the same showroom area consider some free Wi-Fi & internet access. People are always drawn to check email or go surfing for free. Have a way to take & send pictures too. The younger crowd would always stop by.
Then have a central sales office with in-stock vehicles, real people, and available test drives.
License all the repair & used car facilities.

The sales model needs to break away from the pack. Be the Dell/WalMart of the auto world.

Using this concept plus a potentially weaker dollar you could submarine the sales of Toyota, Honda, & Nissan in North America in a few years. Look at what you did to VW in China.

DO IT. I want to buy some 8% yield GM stock and keep the MidWest thriving.

BTW, I like the Buick Royual (spelling?)in China. Also, where the heck is the Xiamen Buick dealer?

Thanks for batting for the home team and having this blog.

While I can congratulate The General on introducing some great new models such as the Cobalt, Pontiac Pursuit, HHR, etc, I am extremely puzzled at some of the other unfathomable marketing decisions recently made. I bought a 2004 2 door Jimmy (sold here in Canada up to 2005) for several reasons. The price was right, it was virtually the only 2 door SUV still made (the short wheelbase gives it great manouverability) and it is a proven design. GM discounted the last of the 2005's by thousands of dollars (screwing me in the process because I paid full choke retail) and then dropped the model. Now if you want a smaller SUV you are forced to buy a four door Chev Equinox or Pontiac Torrent for about 10 grand more or a 4 door Trailblazer for about 17 large more.

Another example is the two very popular mid-size vans, Astro and Safari. Same story here. Commercial users who used these vans for a myriad of purposes (our phone company has hundreds in use) are now stuck with the gargantuan full size vans such as the Savana. again for a much higher price. This leaves giant holes in the product line up with nothing on the horizon to fill these holes. Keep this up, GM and soon you will have more holes than product! No wonder your competitors are picking off your clients one by one, or should I say thousands by thousands!

I did drive it. It was fun. How about doing even more. Thinking outside the box ... chop the top back off (El Cameno/SSR) That'll look sharp too. Plus it's a lot cheaper than the SSR.

Hopefully you'll have the same success when you finally get around to designing some all-new (not rehashed W-bodies/G-bodies) sporty mid-sized sedans.

When are you going to bring back the CAMARO to the market? Ford has already Mustang, while Dodge have Charger. I'm sure there are a lot of people waiting for the CAMARO!

I'm a big fan of the white two-door HHR concept that was shown at SEMA a few weeks ago. I'd love to see you build this vehicle while trying to stay as close to the concept as possible.

GM needs product guys running the show. When will you get it? Finance guys don't understand cars. They approved all the bad decisions in the past, most notably the decisions to use pushrod engines and 4 speed transmissions, becuase they don't have passion for cars, and assume that consumers don't either. Until you get engineers running a car company, the downward spiral will continue.

HHR = Hits Home Run!

Bob,

I think GM needs a "halo car" which would exist to promote GM's new-found fuel-efficiency leadership. The current 'halo' cars - the Corvette and SSR, do nothing for the huge and growing segment of the population that are increasingly focused on fuel efficiency. Despite recent advances, I don't think GM is perceived as a fuel efficiency leader, and a halo production car could go a long way to changing that.

Bob,
Some nice wins in the vehicle design space. I'm a very big fan of the new Solstice. The new Buicks aren't world beaters but they are credible alternatives to the world beaters for those interested in some type of loyalty to GM. Escalade is super hot. New SUVs and P/Us are very, very nice. You've got to be more bold in your designs. And you'd do well to bring diesels out as an option to your hybrids. It isn't an ROI, cost-benefit analysis, or any other bean counter measurement. It's a perceived market leadership statement. Regardless of whether you make money on them. You know....like the Prius. It would be a huge differentiator in claims you could make in advertising and marketing. HUGE.

I'm so frustrated with GM. At least manufacturing ops and styling appears to be headed in the right direction.

Please remember, in order to win customers back you need to be better. You need to be more reliable. You need to be more aggressive. Everything needs to be better just not as good as. Loyalty is a long slog.

The HHR is a great-looking car and I imagine that it drives nicely too with the 2.4 litre engine. I just wish it were built in the US like the Cobalt, even it started at 1K or 2K more.

Suggestion: Army green HHR with a big white star stenciled on the front door and a "serial number" on each side of the hood. It would give the HHR Hummer style military cred without driving up the price or hurting mpg. You could call it the HQ model.

Do a real woody, not fake - have the dealers varnish it-
also offer the wcoastcustoms slammed version and the van white/black from sema - do we have to go to aftermarket for those things or could you build them into a lease/purchase?

When are people going to get smart and start buying american cars and other products so they can keep there jobs here in the U.S.A.

http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/051117/auto...tives.html?.v=1

Despite all the feeback you've had through this blog, Chrysler beat you to it. At least they are reading this.

"These are the times that try men's souls..."

8% yield yeah that's amazing, wait make that 10%. The best yielding stock on Wall Steet. Lets think bigger now with these heritage vehicles, they don't all have to be small.

I'm thinking big, bold beautiful, Buick 8. A high heritage roof retro Buick sedan. It will turn Buick and GM around like the minivan did for Chrysler. It will set a trend and create a whole new segment which will bring GM back forever.

And if it's by Lutz it has to be good. Now we can continue to guild lillies but what good is a golden apple if it is rotten at the core?

Buick is going to have a new entry in Webster's dictionary. It is going to mean Phoenix rising from the ashes, revival and renaissance to the extreme.

The city enjoyed a Buick styled renaissance with the restoration of the Michigan Train Depot. Just like Buick, it's better than the original.

From #3 to near death to #3 again after Chevy and Ford and Lutz left Buick better than he found it in the 60's.

I wouldn't tell you if I didn't think you could do it. But its like giving Picasso some paint and a blank canvas. Is it gonna be Good? Come on!!!

I've driven the HHR and we plan to buy one come bonus time. It's been difficult to find something my wife and teenage daughter could agree upon. The HHR hit the right cord. Neither like boring and generic. Both like truck looks but not truck-like fuel economy and ride. The HHR stands out for high tech features in a stylish yet practical body. My Grandfather had a Chevy pick-up, the first year with a one piece windshield. The HHR reveals that heritage. It works for me. Thanks.

Ok, Ok, you guys are kicking out great product. Now get out of the discount game.

I'm tired of GM commercials that spend more time telling about the discount than the product. You've set people up only to buy GM products because of the discount not the passion.

NO MORE DISCOUNT ADS PLEASE!!

You would think GM would understand that certain unique looking vehicles sell well for about 18 months until the novelty wears off and the next unique looking vehicle comes along. They only sell well initially because they are a novelty and some people like to attract attention to themselves driving a novelty. Volkswagen learned this with the new Beetle as did DCX with the PT.
By the time GM gets ramped up to build more of these things the novelty will have worn off and GM will have to beg people to buy them.
The market for wanting to look like Elmer Fud is small and short lived.

Bob,

I think you guys did a great job with the HHR. For 2007, I would like to see an SS model with a bigger grille, wider fenders,a tougher looking hood, and a 3800 series v6 that puts out at least 225 HP. Thanks

Say it ain't so!

The G6 GTP Convertable won't have a 'real' manual transmission...

I say tariffs are in order for all foreign autos. The U.S. is the only one with a global economy. Other countries act like they have a "global economy."

It is ridiculous to let our companies go under in the face of unfair trade and unfair practices. Already the eight Toyota plants in the U.S. are getting all sorts of tax breaks, no unions, less health benefits, etc. It's time to put the kabosh on this, and all foreign makes, be they made overseas or here!

This country is the only country in the world, to rid all of its own companies just to stand for a ridiculous "principle" that DOES NOT NEED STANDING FOR!!

Dear Bob,

I was recently in South Korea, and although the marketshare of foriegn vehicles there is very low within that market I observed something that I thought was interesting. The foriegn vehicle market in South Korea is dominated by BMW, Benz, and Lexus, but I did see the younger hipsters driving around in PT Cruisers. I thought to myself, why doesn't GM market the HHR here as a Daewoo, since you have this great distribution network with GM-Daewoo. Get the product placed in a TV Drama with some popular Korea actors, which are very influential here and sell it as something unique. I think you could export quite a few to South Korea.

Just a thought

Scott

I was surprized not to see more GM/Big 3 haters here. They are finally starting to realize that today's GM is different. Thanks in part to you Bob. But, GM still needs to take a few ques from the overseas builders. In stuff like feature designs. Car designs, such as the HHR are spot on. But features still continue to fall short. Little stuff, like no gas door locks that open from the interior, and many other minor creature comforts. The little stuff pays off Bob, please heed that and keep up the great work. We love our HHR!!! Make millions of them! (wouldn't it be cool if the HHR became the best selling car in the US?) How about making an HHR type out of the Impala's platform? Hmmmm...

wow,cool car, I want one!

Maybe that hot V6Turbo the Saab 93 does NOT need in a whole bunch of stateside GMs.
Would happily trade for 1.9 turbodiesel!

Hey, I had the H3 for a week and loved it -- most important thing to remember is that this is a completely different kind of Hummer, retail edition as it were. You can listen to a podcast of my test drive here: http://www.carbuyersnotebook.com/archives/2005/11/car_buyers_note_95.htm

I am an otherwise happy owner of a PT Cruiser (and a Cobalt) - only complaint being two failed power window motors. The HHR looks a lot better in person than in pictures, and while it is a PT derivative, it is unique enough that I don't mind. It is an immensely practical package, and does offer a tremendous value at GM's current price point. But I have to agree with other posters, GM's custom parts offerings are non-existent from my standpoint. Where is the online store, where I can see all parts selectable by my vehicle? Where's the web store where I can order them? This is not rocket science, just look across the street at Scion to see how its done.

Mr. Lutz: I am planning on driving a HHR soon, but would like to see a Buick version with a 3.5L V-6. An HHR weighs several hundred pounds more than a Cobalt, in fact weighs as much as a Malibu. The low end torque provided by the 3.5L will give the Buick version of the HHR a completely different feel and will still get great MPG, especially if mated to the upcoming 6-speed auto. This would be a segment first and would provide a more luxurious experience. The 3.5 or 3.9L V6 may also be used for a SS version of the HHR.

The 3.5L V-6 is a very compact engine that has very good throttle response and delivers excellent gas mileage. I know several 3.5L V6 Malibu owners that get 1-2 more MPG than the 4 Cylinder Honda Accord they traded in.

I would also like to someday drive a small Pontiac/Cadillac sport sedan with a V8 – it could be the ultimate BMW M3.

A formally styled version of the 112” wheelbase G6 would make a great Buick Century Sedan and a Buick Century Estate from the European Opel Vectra Estate.

This bring up the question, when will the current Opel lineup be brought to the U.S. market?

There are some great Opel models that would compete well in established markets and a few that would open up entire new ones. The Opel Astra 3 door Sport Hatch, 5 Door Hatch, Astra Twin-Top and Astra Estate should all be new Pontiac and/or Saturn models. GM does not have a model on the U.S. market in any of the 4 segments that these would compete in.
The new Brazilian Vectra could become a 4-Door Astra sedan in the U.S. market with a 3.5L V6 model another segment first and could be the new Buick Skylark.

The new Corsa (2007 model) would also be a good addition to the Pontiac and Saturn lines, the 3 Door would offer a sporty hatch and the 5D would be a sporty complement to the Aveo 5 Door. All seven of these models are not badge engineered versions of existing GM models.

Three new market segments would be served by the Zafira, Meriva and Combo Tour. The Zafira is a small sport van/cross-over with sporty styling and excellent 7 passenger versatility. Meriva is more of a Small Ute/Cross-over and has ample 5 passenger space. Both the Zafira and Meriva provide a surprisingly good driving experience in the OPC versions.

The Combo and Combo Tour are tall wagon/van/Ute with a very large interior/cargo area for their size; has better road manners than would appear and the interior could be modified to match an owners needs. A rear seat could be added for 7 passenger capacity and can be modified for camping, have a high end stereo installed for cruising or overhead bins and entertainment systems for family traveling.

These vehicles give GM entries into new markets and fresh entries into existing ones without duplicating current models.

Other models that may find a market here are the Holden Cruze, a small utility that has attractive styling with 4WD for light off-road/beach use. The Holden Ute and Crossman would be the new El Camino with the Crossman giving the El Camino a 4 Door model, there is even an AWD version that may prove popular in the northern snow-belt areas.

Two Canadian Chevy models that may be tried in the U.S. would be the Optra Wagon and 5-Door to complement the Cobalt 2 door coupe and 4 door sedan.

The Rezzo/Vivant could be a tall wagon addition to the strong selling Aveo line.

These models would work into your philosophy of combining Pontiac, Buick and GMC in one dealership. The following is a list of division focus market and their offerings.
Chevrolet FWD Value
Saturn FWD Sport
Buick FWD Luxury
Pontiac RWD Value/Sport and AWD Value
SAAB AWD Sport
Cadillac RWD Luxury and AWD Luxury
Chevy Truck Value
GMC Truck Sport
Cadillac Truck Luxury

Below is a brief overview of what could be a future GM lineup (new models names are some previously used):

Chevrolet (FWD Value and Truck Value)
Aveo 5 Door
Aveo 4 Door
Aveo Sport (Rezzo)
Cobalt 2D
Cobalt 4D
Optra 5D
Optra Wagon
HHR
Monza 3D Coupe (Solstice 3.5L V6)
Monza 3D Wagon (Solstice – Nomad concept - 54 Vette)
Malibu
Malibu Maxx
Impala
Bel Air (Retro 55-57 styling – STS or Truck base)
Camaro (CTS or new Monaro)
Monte Carlo
Caprice (Holden Caprice)
Corvette
Nomad (Retro 55-57 styling – STS or Truck base)
El Camino (Holden Ute)
El Camino 4 Door (Holden Crossman)
SSR
SSR Panel
Equinox
Borrego (Solstice based Rally look from concept)
Colorado
Cheyenne (Trailblazer based mid-size truck line)
Silverado
Silverado SS
Silverado HD
Avalanche
Uplander
Astro (shortened Express or new Trailblazer)
Express
Blazer (MU-7)
Trailblazer
Trailblazer SS
K5 (2 Dr Tahoe with Extended cab doors)
Tahoe
Suburban

Buick (FWD Luxury)
Tigra Hardtop Convertible
Special V6 (HHR with 3.5L V6)
Skylark (Brazilian Vectra with 3.5L V6)
Skyhawk Estate (Solstice 5D wagon of Monza 3.8L)
Skyhawk Convertible (Solstice 4D hardtop Conv 3.8L)
Century Sedan (G6 with formal styling)
Century Estate (Vectra Estate 3.5L – 3.6L)
LaCrosse
LaCrosse GS (5.3L - replaces Gran Prix GXP)
Lucerne
Velite (H/T convertible CTS or new Monaro)
Park Avenue (STS based Large RWD)
Buick 8 (6.2L powered short WB Sixteen)
Gran Sport (4 Door Sedan Corvette)
Rendezvous (Holden Adventra 3.8L – 5.3L)
Enclave - 2007 (Centiemme)
Terazza

Pontiac (RWD Sport / Value and AWD Value)
Corsa 3D
Corsa 5D
Cruze (Holden Cruze)
Sunbird 3D (Astra 3D Sport Hatch)
Sunbird 5D (Astra 5D)
Sunbird 4D (Astra 4D - Brazilian Vectra 2.4L)
Sunbird Convertible (Astra Twin Top)
Vibe
G6
Solstice
G8 Sedan (Solstice 3.6L or 4.2L I-6 and 5.3L)
Firebird (Solstice Coupe - 5 Passenger)
Grand Prix (RWD CTS with 3.8L S/C and 5.3L)
GTO
Montana Pickup (Tornado Pickup)
Torrent
G-5X (Solstice utility 4.2L I-6 - 5.3L V8)
Safari (shortened 5 passenger SRX)
Ventura (Borrego/Solstice rally buggy)

GMC (Truck Sport)
Canyon
Canyon Denali (5.3L)
Jimmy (S3-X)
Sierra
Sierra Denali
Sierra HD
Combo Cargo
Envoy
Envoy Denali
Envoy XUT (Envoy with 5 foot bed)
Acadia - 2007
Sanoma (Envoy Extended and Crew Cab)
Yukon
Yukon Denali
Yukon XL
Savana

Saturn (FWD Sport - Hybrid/Hydrogen)
Ion Quad Coupe
Ion 4D
Astra 3D Sport Hatch
Astra 5D
Astra Estate
Astra Twin Top
Sky
Aura - 2007
Intrigue (FWD Gran Prix replacement)
Combo Tour
Meriva
Zafira
Outlook - 2007
Vue
Relay
LT420 (Saturn Mid-size truck version of Cheyenne)

Cadillac (AWD-RWD Luxury - State of Art Tech and Truck Luxury)
ATX (Solstice utility 3.6L - 4.4L Northstar )
BLS (Vectra – 2.8L Turbo)
BTS (Solstice 4 Door Sedan 3.6L 4.4L Northstar)
CTS CTS-V
STS STS-V
DTS
XLR XLR-V
Fleetwood (STS base formal sedan 7.5L V-12)
BRX (7 passenger Torrent 3.6L)
SRX
SRV (STS base 7 passenger Cross-over)
Escalade EXT
Escalade
Escalade XLT (Crew Cab)
Escalade ESV (7.5L V-12)
SIXTEEN

HUMMER (4WD Truck)
H1
H2
H2T
H3
H3T (Ext/Crew cab H3)
H4 (Dune Buggy version of H3)
H5 (2D H3 narrowed)
H5x (4D H3 narrowed)

SAAB (AWD Sport - Turbo/Turbo Diesel)
9-2 4D (Brazilian Vectra 2.0 Turbo)
9-2X (Astra Estate)
Sonnet (Solstice Hard Top convertible)
Sonnet 3D (Solstice 3D Hatch)
Sonnet 5D (Solstice 5D Hatch)
9-3
9-3 Sport Combi
9-3X (Torrent 1.9TD)
9-5
9-5X (Solstice Utility 5 pass 1.9TD)
9-5 Wagon
900 (CTS base RWD and AWD)
9-6X (Outlook base)
9-7X
9-8T (Envoy XUT – Explorer SporTrac)
9-8V (Outlook base van - Europe)

Granted, some of these vehicles will never be even made as prototypes, but it is interesting that a broad lineup can be made from the existing GM brands. Some of the names used are a reference to what type vehicle it would be. I would like to thank you for having this opportunity to share them with you. Keep up the great work and thanks for your time.

HHR looks very cool. I think it would be a great competitor for the Honda CRV over in little ol' NZ. Please ignore all the doom and gloom guys. I think GM is on a roll. Just start refining the good stuff (CTS) and please bring out a diesel RHD Tahoe

GM needs to utilize the internet and significantly reduce or eliminate the middle-man. How about working with Ebay? Millions of potential customers out there to tap into and the opportunity to really get "fast to market".

I mentioned direct sales in another post, but Connie has a great idea too - using eBay. Dell and IBM sell extra/refurbished stuff on eBay. Right now some dealers do it, but the prices are lousy. You'd be amazed how many cars you could sell directly from the factory if you gave people reasonable (i.e. what the dealer pays - rebates) pricing on eBay.

"three times the rate they’d ordered them"

They order two, and sell six? Definitely fast moving sales! You must be so proud! How about some real figures, instead of statistics. Ordered 10,000 and sold 30,000? Ordered 1,000 and sold 3,000?

Bob, you did good.

I know things are touph but I know that this is fate trying to tell you something. It's telling you to break out of the mold. You can't keep doing the same thing and expect a better result.

Like Chrysler with its minivans you have to break the mold and stand behind a concept that you just know people will love. I think you should have an HHR vehicle derived from all of your future car platforms.

The devil can't steel my joy I just know better times are coming and that joy is from products like the HHR, H3 and Solstice and a whole trio of Saturns.

But I have an uncontrolled passion and excitement to see Buick break out of its shell and just raise the sedan roof HHR style.

Bob lets make big 3D Buicks like the Buick 8 of old not only because it will be a reinaissance for Buick and the GM car business, it will throw the auto world on its head.

Not just because it will bring back design excellance, but most of all because of this...

IT WOULD BE FUN!!!

Am I just talking to a computer or is anyone at GM listening?

Hello! Hello!

Bob my hope for you and Rick is that you finish on top, I know you can do it.

Just raise the roof and it will raise your fortunes.

My rental HHR on a 1500 mile trip brought these thoughts:

ugly front but grows on you,
rides well,
engine underpowered on hills,
seat bottom too narrow but good lumbar support,
hard to see out of,
good fit and finish,
a bit too much chrome,
solid feeling controls,
clever rear shelf,
decent rear seat,

Assuming I can find a Chevrolet dealer that knows how to service what it sells, it's definitely in running for a future purchase.

The most asked for car on this blog since it has started is the Camaro. Well GM what gives? Build it and we will buy it. Ford has beaten you all to the punch and Dodge is just around the corner with the Challenger. It is one awsome looking car. People want a rear drive car they can purchace that emulates the higher dollar car. IE Camaro SS and Mustang GT. You get the basic looks of the SS and value of the less optioned car. Come on guys wake up!! I like the little HHR it looks nice. I love the Solstes, but please bring back the Camaro. I have a 67 that I will never sell. I sure would love to buy it's 40 year younger sibling next year.

GM can not build a car business around a series of one-off novelty cars and exaggerated styling for the teenage mindset. The era of "wow, look at this" cars is long gone for the mainstream car buyer. Be it HHR's, Hummers, Corvettes, Solstice or the entire truck and SUV categories, relying on the "Peter Pan" effect is GM's continuing mistake and main reason for its loss of market share. If it does not develop a styling elegance in the mold of the 1930's classics and postwar Italian/European design, the design stream that continues to this day in the rest of the world, it will continue to see its car market disappear.

i have been using my gm credit card, earning money ,as i plan to purchase a new gm car very soon but i was informed since my dad was a gm employee for 30 yrs. and i get a gm employee discount i cant use the earnings from the gm credit card! is this true? am i being punished for my dad working for gm for 30 yrs??

Mr. Lutz: I am sorry to hear about the plant closings with 30,000 lost jobs, I still don’t quite understand that with each point of market share worth 1 billion dollars that building fewer vehicles will result in higher profits. I am sure there are reasons for this, and some are forced upon GM for cash flow reasons. Hopefully some later scheduled closings can be avoided and some earlier closed plants can be reopened later – time and the market will tell.

Enough bad news, I have some suggestions for some of the closed plants using the theory that there are three main segments of the mainstream market; value, sport and luxury with smaller segments in high tech, ultimate performance and luxury and would offer the following list of division focus markets.
Chevrolet FWD Value
Saturn FWD Sport
Buick FWD Luxury
Pontiac RWD Value/Sport and AWD Value
SAAB AWD Sport
Cadillac RWD Luxury and AWD Luxury
Chevy Truck Value
GMC Truck Sport
Cadillac Truck Luxury

The following are some new model suggestions to go with the list of segments and possible plants that may make them:

The SSR is a great looking truck, but has a limited market – A Panel Van/Sedan Delivery version of the SSR would really open up the market, and since the SSR is based on the Trailblazer SUV platform it could be done quickly and at low cost. Adding a high roof 50’s style Sedan Delivery body with 5 Passenger capacity would give the SSR a great combination of style and utility. The high roof would make entry/exit to the rear seats easier than current SUV’s without the “minivan” look. Using Extended Cab style doors would retain the side styling and would only need glass in the side doors for driver/passenger visibility. A variation of the Trailblazer EXT rear doors could be made to look acceptable and would retain better body stiffness. The rear doors could be the standard double doors, a one piece hatch, or “Dutch Doors” similar to the Astro.

This model could ignite a whole new market segment within the mid-size truck based SUV market. It would offer buyers an extremely good looking, versatile platform to customize to their style. A model starting in the mid $20 thousand range with the 4.2L I-6 would open up the youth market to this vehicle, and could be offered as a 2 seat Panel Van. It would make the ultimate surfer vehicle with a fold down passenger seat, secure cargo area and cool looks. A Panel Van would also be an attractive alternative to companies that need to deliver products and services but want to differentiate themselves.

There could even be a 6 Passenger (all captain chair) or 7 passenger version offered on the existing length body since the higher roof would allow a more upright seating position. An AWD option would also be easy to do and prove popular in cold climates and for West Coast drivers looking for the coolest ride to the ski resort. Adding an IRS would allow a lower stance and floor height and with some 9-7x tuning could be a good handling vehicle. The SSR and Panel version could be moved to the Moraine Ohio facility and boost it to a 100% utilization rate and would be the perfect “Step up” from the HHR.

The Oklahoma City plant could change over from Trailblazers to a mid size pickup truck Cheyenne model with Regular, Extended and Crew Cab versions with 4.2L I-6 and 5.3L V8 options. There could also be an Envoy XUT version similar to the Explorer Sport Trac using the old Envoy XUV dual function tailgate and sliding rear glass. There is room for a midsize truck at GM slotted between the Canyon and Sierra, GM needs a viable entrant in this segment. It is time to give GMC a model that Chevrolet does not offer, it would also be offered as a Saturn and even a SAAB. I think a SAAB model with a 2.8L turbo V6 and V-6 turbo diesel engines with the 9-7x type suspension tuning and a lowered look will create an entirely new segment in the truck market. It could also be sold in Europe and is small enough to satisfy the tight roads but large enough to provide the required utility. The XUT version may prove more popular in Europe since most trucks do not haul that much weight anymore it is more about versatility and passenger comfort. It would also give Saturn customers (who realistically will not seriously consider other GM brands) a truck model to fit their needs. GM has got to do a better job at rewarding loyal customers – please learn something from the lost Oldsmobile loyalists.

The Oklahoma City plant could also be used to make a 55-57 style Bel Air sedan, convertible, Nomad and even 2 and 4 Door El Camino models; all based on the new Trailblazer. The original Bel Air chassis is very similar to today’s truck and the Trailblazer SS, Denali and SAAB 9-7x prove that a good handling vehicle can be made from this platform. And an AWD Bel Air, Nomad and El Camino will be popular in the Snow Belt states – an area GM still retains market share.

The Doraville plant could be used for a well styled minivan for Chevrolet, Buick and Saturn with a Rendezvous replacement, GM minivans are underappreciated and only need a new design to incorporate the market changes since the current model 1997 debut. There is a market for this type vehicle as the Honda Odyssey proves with the successful Pilot and Acura MDX Cross-over models as well as the Ridgeline pickup derived from the same platform.

The Doraville plant could also be used to increase HHR production and manufacture a Buick model with V6 power, and SAAB Turbo versions for U.S. and European markets. The HHR should be introduced into the European market and think it will do well and the Buick may do well in China with these markets using the 140 HP 1.8L and 1.3L turbo diesels.

The Doraville plant may also be used for a new Astro either as a shortened Express or based on the new Trailblazer. The old Astro suffered from neglect as much as anything, most current owners would buy a new one if a completely redesigned one was offered – a lot has happened since the original Astro 1985 debut. Here is another group of GM loyalist that would support it and with shared architecture other GM products will have the break even point for profitability.

The Spring Hill plant could make the Opel Astra line of 3 Door, 5 Door, Estate, Twin Top and Zafira with a 4 Door sedan for the U.S. market. These would be Pontiac and Saturn models, providing excellent vehicles as the Ion line is shut down at the end of 2006. It would also give GM great product in markets that it is weak in. The new 1.8L 140 HP engine should do well in the U.S. and provide good performance with great MPG numbers. This one makes the most sense since the Astra is very popular in Europe and don’t think GM should waste a penny or market research on whether the Astra would succeed here as it fits seamlessly between the Sky and Aura in styling and content.

The Spring Hill plant could also make the new Opel Corsa 3 Door and 5 Door along with the Combo, Combo Tour and Meriva for the U.S. market. The Corsa would give Pontiac and Saturn a great small car, the Meriva would be a good small Ute and the Combo and Combo Tour could create a “buzz” that Saturn could use and create a whole new fleet vehicle for inner city delivery with the Tour model a possible hit with the environmental market with it’s ultra functional interior for the exterior size. A Combo Tour with 7 seat capacity and the new Hybrid system to be introduced on the VUE could be interesting.

The Lansing Craft Center would be a natural choice for the greatly anticipated Cadillac Sixteen and maybe a shorter wheelbase Buick 8 model.

The Oshawa #2 plant could make a CTS based Camaro or a Solstice based Firebird. It could also be used to make a 4 Door Sedan version of the Solstice for Pontiac and Cadillac, with a 54 Corvette styled 3 Door wagon like the Nomad concept and 3 Door hatch would also be possible. It could also produce the GTO, Velite and Caprice models based on the new Monaro

The Ramos Arizpe plant could make the Holden Cruze or the replacement for it, this small Ute would do well in Mexico and in the Coastal U.S. regions. It could also produce the Borrego Dune Buggy/Rally style vehicle like the GM concept of a few years ago – again the Coastal U.S. and southwest would be good markets.

GM needs to shake things up a little and has plenty of good products either in the pipeline or offered in other markets allowing GM to introduce these products at a low cost. It will take some guts to just do these product moves, but as I believe you have said GM does not have a capacity shortage it lacks enough popular products. And if you do what you have always done you will get what you always have achieved. Changing strategy will change results and GM has been down the shrinking down the company road to many times.

Of course most of these suggestions cannot be done even with the most aggressive attitude but many of them will work, as always thanks for your time and keep up the good work.

Call me mental, but I'd love to see a ragtop HHR on my driveway.

You did it again Bob, you got me to buy another one of your vehicles, the HHR, and I just love it. I was looking for a daily driver because it was time to put the GTO (yet another one of your cars) in winter storage. I stumbled on an HHR while looking at used cars and decided the HHR would make a perfect daily driver. The HHR wasn’t much more dollars than a good late model used car.

I could go on all day about what I like about the HHR but I won’t. I will tell you that I appreciate the (very) quite interior and the standard upscale options like automatic headlamps, DIC, and steering wheel controls. Oh yeah, almost forgot the fuel economy, thanks for that too. That overhead effects lighting on the center stack, nice touch, hats off to you and your designers.

I have one complaint though; the position marks on the HVAC controls are difficult to see unless the instrument lighting is on. I know, it is pathetic I can’t do better than that but I can’t, you and your team just did that good of a job with the HHR.

Please don’t design any more cool vehicles Bob, I can’t afford it!

Bob

I was at a Mazda dealer last night and was impressed at the cars they had on sale. Cars that were very tightly constructed, and the new Mazda "zoom zoom" is more than marketing, even the lower end Mazda 3 has 4 wheel disk brakes and fat tires. GM is still making cars with understeer built in, cheap drum brakes and pushrod motors that while compact and torque rich, are not good on NVH and HP.

I have a '98 Olds van and while its been good "utility" vehicle, the interior and exterior trim is terrible, there are numerous things that dont' fit, fall off, etc.

Hard to belive that in this day and age, the pickups GM sells don't have full plastic fender liners to protect from rust-out. It took import cars to get the domestics to change their design to incorporate things like that.

Anyway, Dad and are GM fans, but see a lot work to do ahead.

Please build more Diesel vehicles, like a small/medium car diesel with Izuzu parts. Crew cab Colorados with Diesel.

Build a "new" style pickup truck based on the Isuzu cab-over frame w/diesel engine.

Be bold enough to challenge convention and put a streamlined / slanted front end on a truck.

How about cars with air-ride?

GM also has too many engine varients. The Olds short start was a great motor, but it was killed as it was too expensive to produce! Figure a way to build it, and get cars up to the competition, and discounts will end when the cars are as appealing as the rest of the offerings.

Scott

Buick is doomed with the Lucerne. What is it anyway? Marketing 101... Give it a name that will sell. It's like naming a boy, Sue, or a car Edsel.
HHR stinks in name as well. High Heritage Roof! Are the marketing guys smoking something. They seem to be on a mission to doom GM.

Bob, Mark, head honchos listen --

DO NOT SELL GMAC!!! Don't even think about it. Yes, you need to make better cars...but GMAC is your only money-making division. It's the only way you've made money for awhile now. You sell that- or a controlling stake in it- and you might as well start selling Civics and Camrys at Chevy dealers.

oz: Yeah you're completely right...look at all the creative names all the other competitors like BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Lexus, Jaguar, Acura, and Infiniti have been coming up with.

As for the HHR, when I first saw pics of it I was like "Wait, Lutz is making THIS thing?" But I finally started seeing them in person and I LOVE them! They have a certain aura of coolness about them, not so much that they are sporty, but neither is a Scion xB and those dont have any problems selling (and the HHR is way better looking than the Scion can dream of).

I think the HHR is gonna be a home run. Now Lutz, let's see that Camaro concept at the 2006 NAIAS and it better have an LS2, a nice interior, and an IRS. Then I'll love ya!

That's great the HHR is selling so well. Now how about a hybrid version, or at least a version with displacment-on-demand that will make it even more fuel-efficient?

Bob great to see new product do well. chevy ,caddy and solest need to come to australia. unrelated to product i have a concept i beleive could save millions and inprove employee managment relations greatly.i dont claim to be an expert in these matters just aman with an idea. if you want to know more please contact me at above email address. thankyou and god bless

I've just returned home to the UK after a six-week vacation in Florida. I rented an HHR for the duration of my trip from Alamo at Tampa Airport. I covered 1500+ miles. My question is - When can I buy an HHR in the UK in right-hand drive form??? I loved this car. My present vehicle is a Mercedes A-Class which is seven years old and is due for replacement.

To Bad they don't make the HHR in the US. Was interested in buying one untill I found it was made in Mexico, Will not buy another car not made in the US. Sorry about that. Mabe will look at the Ford Hybred. At least it is made in the US.

HHR love it
Bought it

I have a 2006 HHR, Daytona Blue,I$ high output engine. with Flames, and a Dragon Fly/Mean Tweety theam inside.
The options are 2LT with Chrome 17" wheels,ONSTAR,Curse,Remote Start,Seating for 4 realy, and sufficent luggage space with roon for FARFUL the Artisian Bassett Hound. $22000.
If GM keeps this price range for a vehicle with all but partial leather and Sun Roof, then GM has a sure winner.
Jack the price to the $30,000 range and watch the crowd go elswhere.
We drove fron Dallas/Ft Worth to Key West. We are 60ish and this is a TRIP for us literaly. The general age of those interested were the BOOMERS and BIKERS. The vehicle is too Cool.

I considered looking into the HHR and PT Cruiser recently until I discovered they are both made in Mexico. I want an American made vehicle. If the Japenese and Germans can build cars in the USA, why not an American company? I'm looking elsewhere for my next new vehicle. Why should I support another country's economy?

like the HHR--would buy one if it were made in AMERICA-isn't it built on the same platform as the Saturn VUE built in Spring Hill, TN?--too bad

Love the HHR-Daytona Blue. A great car to drive Lots of fun, great for tailgating at college football games! Great job GM- How about an all wheel drive version?