I'll take that bet . I say no one is going to line up to buy a copycat design that comes four years too late to the party. Especially since spy shots seem to indicate it isn't even styled as well as the PT Cruiser. Unless HHR has something fresh and unique to offer (which I don't think it does), people will stay away in droves.

With regards to the sales of the PT Cruiser, yes they may have settled back into where DCX originally thought they'd be, but then after the launch Chrysler added capacity for up to 180,000 units per year, which it is now significantly below.

 

Yeah but does the PT have a supercharged ECOTEC under the hood? If GM pumps out an SS version of the HHR that would be one hot little grocery getter.

 

No, the PT has the 2.4L turbo. 2.4 turbo > supercharged ECOTEC.

 

Correct, the "GT" 2.4L Turbo is rated at 220 hp while the 2.0L SC ECOTEC only puts out 205 hp in the 200-lb lighter Cobalt SS.

However, who's to say GM won't produce a supercharged version of the 2.2L for an SS version of the HHR?

 

Whos to say that the 2.0 SC is really making 205hp?


I do like the black concept car that makes 270hp.

 

Ok....couple of things ...

Impala/Crown Vic being a huge market.....wrong....not a big market at all, and further, the majority of the market is fleet and political subdivision...which means they're practically given away......(ok..overstated the 'given away' part...)....you don't make money on police cars and such.....

Bringing Holden Stuff to the U.S.........not as easy as it seems......there were substantial costs to re-engineer the Monaro to make it meet all current U.S. Federal Safety and Emissions standards ....SUBSTANTIAL..........further, it isn't like they can crank out an additional 100,000 units.......

It is NOT lost on GM that we will lose some of our enthusiasts to the Mustang....believe me, it isn't! Doesn't make me very happy about it either.....but my lips are sealed...and for good reason....as I said before...read my book in about 10 years......and you'll understand. The best advice I can offer is to read "All Corvettes Are Red" ...and you may get a better understanding of underlying issues. Also a good read: "The Car" which is about the development of the Taurus....several years old, but gives you an inside look at product development.

Finally.....I'd challenge you to this: IF you knew everything that the top management at GM knows (the Rick Wagoners and Bob Lutzs and Gary Cowers) would you make a different choice? I'd submit to you that you wouldn't.......now......that's impossible to really answer, because you simply will never be exposed to the myriad of issues that these men are given to deal with every day.......my point is that it is very easy to criticize GM (or any other large company) when you don't have all the facts.

 

well if we had more facts, maybe there wouldn't be as much criticisim. Or at least not as much critisism based on igonrance.

 

If "we" had all the facts, then so would GM's competition. That simply isn't going to happen... and quite frankly you really don't want it to happen if you want GM to be successful and have the ability to offer the products they currently offer, let alone the products they'll offer in the future.

 

okay, I'll buy that. But still, a HINT, just a little HINT at a new Camaro would be awesome. Not to mention all of the publicitiy and interest this would stir up.

 

I think Red Planet's constant posts telling us to "keep the faith" should be enough of a hint for anyone.

However, its becoming appearant that isn't good enough for several people here.

 

Here's a hint for you....Red said that a "certian concept" was clinic'd (someone on the board was even there ) and it clinic'd higher than any other concept.

There's your hint...

(now if they just build it.......right)