WHY WAS THE HHR DISCONTINUED?

History of the HHR: A Retro Revival Gone Wrong

The Chevrolet HHR was a compact crossover SUV that was produced from 2005 to 2011. It was based on the Chevrolet Cobalt platform and was designed to appeal to buyers who wanted a vehicle with a retro style. The HHR was available in two body styles: a four-door hatchback and a two-door panel van. It was powered by a variety of four-cylinder engines and was offered in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.

Sales Woes and Discontinuation:

Despite its unique styling, the HHR never really caught on with buyers. Sales peaked in 2006 at over 75,000 units, but quickly declined thereafter. By 2010, sales had fallen to just over 17,000 units. In 2011, General Motors announced that it would discontinue the HHR after the 2011 model year.

Reasons for the HHR's Failure:

1. Unfavorable Styling:

   • The HHR's retro design was polarizing
   • Some found it quirky and appealing, while others thought it was ugly and outdated.

2. Uninspired Performance:

   • The HHR's four-cylinder engines were underpowered and lacked refinement
   • It was slow, noisy, and lacked the athleticism of its competitors.

3. Cramped Interior:

   • The HHR's cabin was cramped and lacked headroom, legroom, and cargo space
   • It was uncomfortable for long journeys and impractical for families.

4. Poor Fuel Economy:

   • The HHR's fuel economy was poor for a compact SUV
   • It got only 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, which was below average for its class.

5. Lack of Updates:

   • GM failed to update the HHR significantly throughout its production run
   • This made it feel outdated and uncompetitive compared to its rivals.

Conclusion:

The Chevrolet HHR was a noble attempt to capitalize on the retro car trend, but it ultimately failed due to a combination of unattractive styling, uninspiring performance, a cramped interior, poor fuel economy, and a lack of updates. GM's decision to discontinue the HHR was the right one, as it allowed the company to focus on more popular and profitable models.

Five Frequently Asked Questions About the Chevrolet HHR:

1. Why was the HHR discontinued?

   • Sales declined due to its polarizing styling, uninspired performance, cramped interior, poor fuel economy, and lack of updates.

2. What were the HHR's best features?

   • Its unique retro styling and spacious cargo area were its main selling points.

3. What were the HHR's biggest problems?

   • Its cramped interior, poor fuel economy, and lack of updates were its main drawbacks.

4. How many HHRs were sold?

   • A total of 233,063 HHRs were sold during its production run from 2005 to 2011.

5. Is the HHR a collectible car?

   • It's too early to say, but the HHR's unique styling and limited production numbers may make it a collectible in the future.