Chevy HHR Panel: A Retro Business Wagon
Chevrolet is taking this whole retro thing all the way. When the company released the HHR last year, it was clearly an exercise in recapturing the classic looks of Chevy’s mid-century trucks and vans. Back then, many of those vehicles were used by businesses of the day, like milkmen, handymen, etc. This new take on that work van, however, will probably be used more for marketing than hard labor.
Sure, the new HHR Panel has 57 cubic feet of rear storage — plus 6 cubic feet of hidden storage under the floor — but most compact SUVs have more than that and they have back seats. What the HHR delivers is an eye-catching blank slate for advertising. The best example of this trend is Best Buy’s Geek Squad, which promotes its services with black and white VW New Beetles that double as transportation for the store’s computer technician house calls. Other popular vehicles that double as work transportation and rolling advertisements include the Mini Cooper and Scion xB.
Trim and engine choices mirror those of the standard HHR. The LS model features a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with 149 hp and 23/30 mpg city/highway, and the LT has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 175 hp and also gets 23/30 mpg.
The Chevy HHR Panel will go on sale in early 2007 with prices similar to those of the current models — $15,880 for the LS and $16,880 for the LT.
The cargo doors don’t have external handles; they are opened via a dashboard release button.
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Interesting potential to customize, like old "sedan deliveries". I don't see rear door handles; do the rear doors open at all? If not, getting to those floor bins would be tough. Hellacious blind spots, too. Would be nicer if they simply made a two-door HHR with full seating and windows.
good question M3. the doors definitely open. Let me find a picture and I'll update the post in a few minutes.
As a custom car builder, I like the concept....in fact I'd order one now if it had a rear seat option....once in a while, two seats aren't enough....
i have a HHR and about to put suiside doors on it .. When I saw this i was thrilled thinking they went with suiside doors....PERFECT.. i could get them from Chevy.. but, no.. regular doors.. BUMMER.
I like some of the new storage they put in it...i do like my HHR but does need a few changes (like who the hell put the cup holder there and why isnt there more storage for the driver.....
all in all i think its a good idea for chevy.. bummer is i dont want to see more of them out there and I think this will become the "official" car for some companies
oh well..... the customizing im gonna do should make mine stand out...
thats one ugly CAR
It is a cool idea, specially for some business owners and fleets as you can easily advertise there and have some cargo.
The question about UGLY, is subjective. Some people like the FJ Cruiser, but I think is ugly. It is just a question of opinions.
HAHA... The car is nice, but I see a few redundant things that should've been taken care of.
1) Why are there door handles on the rear doors if there are no seats?
2) Why is there a cup holder for the "back seats"?
3) Why are there still indentions where the rear windows used to be?
Oh well, at least they took the armrests off the rear door, and the power window button.
And the rear door opens via door-popper, operated by two buttons to the bottom-left of the steering wheel.
I am a small business owner and this HHR looks like a good all round commercial work horse.
Its got good milage so I can see customers on long road trips. It has the space to deliver samples take tools for surveys etc
Looks ok but in this market place what other choice do you have. In europe small vans like this are easy to come by...ford,benz,fiat all make small medium size panel vans so why not the largest economy on earth?????????
That cup holder? Mmmmmmm
Cant wait to put my logo of ibuyhomes.com on the car. I went to a dealer and tried to order but I guess it is not available yet.
Cant wait to put my logo of ibuyhomes.com on the car. I went to a dealer and tried to order but I guess it is not available yet.
The back has seats, the picture is showing the seats down to emphasize the extra storage space. In fact, the front passenger seat also folds down.
Actually, the panel does not have back seats ....
Too save costs, most of the tooling is the same, so you get the same shape to the floor.....
Wouldn't mind adding back a rear seat as a mod to make the HHR panel more family friendly
I bought a Summit White 07 HHR Panel and had the Chrome pieces added.
To answer some questions since I have mine gutted for a total custom stereo system with 16 12" woofers...hahaha(some of us like the room for exspression inside), The rear cargo box that takes the place of the rear seat is actually attached using identical hardware for the regular HHR with rear seats. You would only need to contact a dealer or a wrecking yard to buy the seat. The seatbelt attachment points are even in place behind "punchouts" in the rear side panels. Adding a rear seat would easily only take a hour or two.
im looking for back seats for hhr panel?
Not having any handles on the cargo doors seems a bit odd. I guess it maintains the overall look, but still, I think that'd take some getting used to...
Marc