Chevy HHR Car Club Web Site Launched

CHEVY HHR CLUB PRESS RELEASE
A new web site for devotees of America's newest retro car, the 2006 Chevy HHR, has been launched called HHR Club. Mike Challis, a master mechanic, is the Chevrolet HHR Club's founder and also is an advisor to, and participant in, car clubs; organizations that people by the thousands join to exchange ideas with other car owners, get high-level advice and ideas and form caravans and cruises.

Mr. Challis stated that, "I came away from the Los Angeles Auto show in early January astonished by the interest people had in a crossover vehicle called the 2006 Chevy HHR. Even before heading to the next show in Detroit, I created a web site called HHR Club." Currently there are no Chevrolet HHR owners, as it is planned for introduction to the public after mid-2005. However, Mr. Challis added that he is "absolutely certain there will be, in the tens of thousands, and that they'll be the kind of owners who want to see it all online.

Currently there are a few auto-show versions, and General Motors' Chevrolet Division owns all of them, including the customized version tuned by Los Angeles-based West Coast Customs, made popular by the MTV show "Pimp My Ride."

"The Chevy HHR is ideal for customizing," Challis continued. Adding that, "I told my wife that this is a car for people who always thought they were born too soon, or too late and need to create their own place in this world. The basic HHR has a little retro, a lot new, and is designed so owners can add, subtract, or modify features to make it uniquely their own - you can transport yourself to your own moment in time. HHR Club is a place on the Internet where those interested in the HHR can meet, compare notes, think about custom features and find ideas, comments and experiences of other Chevrolet HHR owners."

"You don't have to own one, but you may want to. Chevrolet is a little less poetic about it. They describe the HHR as resembling a cross between a 1949 Chevrolet Suburban and today's Chevy SSR roadster. But they know it's hot. GM is ramping up to produce 100,000 a year," Challis said. The HHR Club can be found at http://www.hhrclub.org.

GM Reports One Percent Drop in 2004 Sales Compared to 2003

The world's largest automaker, General Motors, announced that U.S. vehicle sales dropped 6% in December compared with the same period in 2003. Total sales amounted to 437,161 units. For the entire 2004 calendar year, car and truck sales hit 4.7 million, 1% less than the previous year.

"GM had a solid finish to the year," stated John Smith, GM group VP. "Once again we set industry records in total truck and utility vehicle sales for the year and sold more full-size Chevy pickups than any other manufacturer." GM also added that there were some highlights despite the decline in overall sales. GM said the divisions of Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC all had sales gains. Chevrolet had its best year in almost fifteen years and GMC had its best-ever annual sales. "These successes, along with 17 all-new models being introduced this year should help us grow in 2005," added Mr. Smith.

GM reached an industry pick-up truck sales record and continued to lead all other automakers with over 2.8 million deliveries, and also sold over one million SUV's. December sales of Hummer vehicles dropped 3.7 percent compared to the same period last year, although it had its best sales month for the year at 3,814 vehicles sold. The Saab division reported a 6% decline in December sales with 3,421 vehicles.

2006 Chevy HHR Showcased at 2005 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show

Chevrolet recently introduced the production model of the Chevy 2006 HHR, available in the second half of 2005. Auto industry insiders have described it as a unique vehicle combining styling and interior adaptability that produces a vehicle for virtually all consumer demographics. Chevy unveiled the HHR at the 2005 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, known for showcasing custom cars.

The 2006 Chevy HHR's design combines elements of the 1949 Chevy Suburban and the SSR roadster. It shares the same solid platform as the new Chevy Cobalt. Specifications include an overall length of 174.5 inches, a cargo capacity around 63.1cubic feet, a reconfigurable interior offering multiple storage solutions, a rear touch-pad liftgate, single-cavity headlamp design incorporating jeweled lighting effects and a flared, twin-taillamp design, integrated Chevrolet roof rack, prominent cross-grill bar with a Bowtie logo, jewel-like instrument displays, tailored seats.

The HHR is offered in two model choices; LS and LT (1LT & 2LT). Both have an Ecotec 2.2L four-cylinder engine rated at 140 horsepower with 150 lb.-ft. of torque. An Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder is also standard in the 2LT and is available in the 1LT, offering 170 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on all models, and an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is also available in all models of the Chevrolet HHR.

2005 Chevy Cavalier Replaces Aging Cavalier

Considered the Chevy Cavalier replacement, the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt is now available. Auto industry insiders have described the Cobalt as a modern compact car that is both appealing and affordable, adding that it appears to be both a satisfactory replacement of the Cavalier and a worthy response to Chevrolet's partner company GM's Saturn Ion, generally considered to be a disaster and an embarrassment for Saturn and GM when it made its debut in late 2002.

The Chevy Cobalt enters the competitive class that includes the Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta, Mazda 3 and Kia Spectra. Reviewers have described it as a comfortable and compliant ride due to excellent chassis dynamics. The new 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt also has a well configured cockpit with high-quality materials. The Cobalt LT version includes leather upholstery and wood trim.

Standard features include a CD player, air conditioning, split folding rear seat and battery rundown protection. The mid-level LS comes with standard antilock brakes, traction control and power windows.

The Delta engineers are reported to have added front and rear stabilizer bars to the basic chassis formula of a strut-type front end and twist-beam rear axle. Also provisions for tire sizes from 15 inches to 18 inches were made.

Most Cobalt engines come standard with an all-aluminum, twin-cam 2.2-liter four-cylinder, with 145 horsepower and 155 pounds-feet of torque, beating out Toyota, Honda and Ford. Buyers are also offered a choice of a Getrag five-speed manual transmission or a Hydra-matic four-speed automatic. The EPA rating of the 2.2/automatic combination is 24 miles per gallon in the city and 32 on the highway. The 2.2/manual achieves 23 in the city and 29 on the highway.

GM Foundation to Donate $1 Million to Tsunami Relief Efforts

General Motors Corp. announced its GM Foundation will be donating $1 million to the International Response Fund of the American Red Cross to support the relief efforts in Asia, India and Africa that were ravaged by the recent tsunami.

The GM foundation announced it will also be matching up to $1 million in contributions made by GM employees to the International Response Fund of the American Red Cross, UNICEF and CARE.

"All of us are stunned by the magnitude of this unprecedented natural disaster, and we mourn the loss of life and the devastation it has brought to so many people," said GM chairman and chief executive Rick Wagoner.

GM also plans to provide GM cars and trucks to aid in the movement of medical supplies and equipment in the region.

Ten Chevy Cobalt Cars To Be Given Away New Years Eve

General Motors Corp.'s Chevrolet brand announced it will be giving away 10 new Chevrolet Cobalt cars New Year's Eve on live television. The Chevy Cobalt giveaway is to be part of the company's New Years Eve promotional program, reported a GM spokesman representing Chevrolet.

"We chose New Year's Eve as a platform again this year to express the ongoing revolution in a high impact and effective way," said Kim Kosak, Chevy's general director for advertising and sales promotions.

The marketing promotion, including commercials highlighting the Cobalt, Chevy Malibu, and the Chevrolet Uplander minivan, will be debuting New Year's Eve. Kosak added that the campaign is intended to introduce the new Chevy models to its 2005 lineup.The give away of the 10 Cobalts will be in conjunction with America's Party with Ryan Seacrest on the Fox network.

Cadillac SRX Earns 'SUV of the Year' from Leading MidEast Publication

Saudi Auto, a leading Middle East motors publication, has recently named the Cadillac SRX the 'SUV of the Year' for 2005. The award for the Cadillac SRX is the latest in a number of global awards for the SRX, a luxury sport utility vehicle. In 2004 Car & Driver magazine awarded the vehicle as well.

"It is true that the Cadillac SRX is a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), but we found that it is like no other vehicle in its class," remarked Saudi Auto's Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Bakur Azher. "The SRX is truly a leader in its category – where buyers no longer need to sacrifice performance and style for utility"

Mr. Azher handed the Award to General Motors Chairman, Rick Wagoner, at GM's Annual Middle East Retailer Conference in Dubai. Wagoner said "I am especially pleased to accept this award on behalf of General Motors for the Cadillac SRX. The renaissance of Cadillac as a global luxury brand has been a great success for GM. And it's great to see that the new Cadillac products are being so well received in the very important Middle East market."

Factors that Saudi Auto said contributed to its decision on the SRX being named 2005 SUV of the Year included overall performance, road handling, luxury features and the SRX's innovative overall offering to customers.

Industry analysts expect the all-new 3.6L V-6 Variable Valve Timing engine, as well as two V8 engines to choose from on 2005 models, will keep the Cadillac popular in the near term and possibly for years to come. The V6 engine has 260 hp at 6,500 rpm and 252 lbs-ft. of torque at 2,800 rpm. The 60-degree dual overhead cam (DOHC), 24-valve power-plant boasts a number of performance refinements, including electronic throttle control; variable valve timing; multi-port fuel injection; two-stage roller chain cam drive; aluminum block and cylinder heads; and a forged steel crankshaft.

Resembling the Cadillac Escalade, CTS and STS, the SRX fills the gap between performance sedan and full-size SUV. Nearly all of the vehicle's interior space can be illuminated with daylight by the largest sunroof system available in its range. Also the optional "UltraView" roof provides the feel of an open-air driving experience, extending and offering more than five square feet of open air. The Cadillac SRX's "UltraView Plus" has a vented glass roof over the third row seat.

Chevy SSR Pickup Truck Over-Inventoried; GM Announces Production Cut

Chevrolet has announced it will be cutting production of the Chevy SSR Truck at the Lansing Craft Center assembly plant. GM-Chevrolet is reported to have enough of the SSR Chevy pickup trucks to last around 300 days. Optimal targets are set at 60 days.

The production cut is expected to last five weeks in the first quarter of 2005. "It's a market-driven decision to align product volume with market demand," GM spokesman Stefan Weinmann stated.

The Chevy SSR pickup truck assembly plant employs 500 workers and will be shut down the weeks of Jan. 3, Jan. 10, Jan. 31, Feb.7 and Feb. 28. Brent Dewar, Chevrolet general manager, said there aren't any immediate plans to discontinue the SSR. "The SSR has a very important place as a halo vehicle for us," he said in a recent interview. "I'm very positive about the SSR." Mr. Dewar also added that the vehicle is bringing existing and new customers into Chevrolet car and truck showrooms in most markets. "They may not be buying SSRs," Dewar said, "but in many cases the customers are still buying a Chevrolet product."

Overall Chevrolet sales are up 4% for 2004.

2005 Cadillac STS to Offer Optional DTS Surround Sound Systems

According to GM-Cadillac sources, certain 2005 Cadillac models will offer DTS-equipped 5.1-channel surround sound systems. The 2005 Cadillac STS will feature an optional Boseâ Studio Surround system, including a six-disc CD/DVD changer and 5.1-channel DTS decoder.

“The car is an ideal environment to experience the enveloping nature of surround sound. For many years, a typical automobile has had four or more speakers, but has only taken advantage of stereo sound,” said Brian Towne, VP, Consumer / Pro Audio Division at DTS. “Cadillac recognizes how surround sound enhances the entertainment experience in the car, and we will see more and more manufacturers following Cadillac's lead in introducing entertainment systems featuring DTS and surround sound into their new car models.”

Chevrolet Reports Near 6% Vehicle Market Share in Malta

Statistics recently issued by the Malta Transport Authority have quoted that during 2004 Chevrolet Malta held the highest market share per capita, among all its European counterparts, and that Chevrolet gained just under 6% of the total passenger vehicles market in Malta for 2004.

"Overall Chevrolet European sales have increased by 45%, reaching 160,000 vehicles this year," according to Geraldo Altieri, a representative of Chevrolet, European Division, who was recently in Malta to mark Chevrolet's first anniversary in Malta. Chevrolet is also launching the 2005 Chevrolet Nubira (Lacetti) Station Wagon.

Chevrolet officials report that the Chevy Nubira Station wagon is powered by a choice of 1.6- and 1.8-litre 16-valve gas engines. The Nubira comes fully loaded, including air-conditioning, ABS, twin airbags and factory Chevrolet roof racks.