General Motor Corporation's Chevrolet brand intends to develop world cars in the near future. In view thereof, the automaker will be entertaining ambidextrous Chevrolets to serve different auto standards in different states.
The automaker believes that flexibility is the key to yield universal success hence some Chevrolets will be manufactured in a right-hand drive (RHD). Now the prerogative of choosing RHD models is vested to those who prefer the said type of vehicle.
GM has restructured its product lines for Chevrolet to blend with the different global technical centers that use varied platforms. The product lines will be developed with the standards of various vehicles around the world in mind. This means that future Chevrolet models will be manufactured with less reliance on the GM-Daewoo technical centre which is based in Korea. Instead, building Chevrolets will take into consideration different auto standards in various states to cope with the global demands.
Unfortunately, the decision of GM came too late for the retro-styled HHR mini-MPV. The Chevrolet HHR (which stands for Heritage High Roof) is a retro-look compact crossover sport utility vehicle. It is designed to slot below the Equinox. The said CUV shares platform with the Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5 and the Saturn ION.
The Chevrolet HHR was penned by Brian Nesbitt, who was a former designer at Chrysler where he was the lead designer of the PT Cruiser. Nesbitt was recruited by the automaker to join its design staff. Now he is serving as the chief designer of the Chevrolet brand. The HHR is assembled in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico and is available for sale throughout the North American auto market. It is also available in Japan.
The Chevrolet HHR's design was inspired by the 1949 Chevrolet Suburban. The vehicle features huge, square fender flares, a hemispherical grille and a . The automaker's target sale is 60,000 units annually.
The Chevrolet HHR in LT trim is equipped with a standard MP3-capable radio and power driver's seat. It has a big cargo-carrying capacity for a car of its dimension, with a flat-load floor and fold-flat front passenger seat. The vehicle was launched at the Geneva Motor Show. It is manufactured in left-hand drive.
GM also confirmed that the new Cehvrolet Camaro muscle car will be built as a right-hooker, which makes sales in the United Kingdom as an image-leader for the brand a distinct possibility. The products of the new Chevrolet structure will serve as replacements for the Kalos and Lacetti models. These models will be developed in Korea.
Experts are saying that the globalization of GM's product development will take five or six years to work through. Moreover, Chevrolet's positivism will help iron out the different perceptions of the brand in different markets.
Davey G. Johnson, the associate editor at AIM, L.A., has this to say: "While the altruistic sorts over at Autoblog seem pleased as punch that General Motors plans to make every upcoming Chevy left-or-right-hand-drive capable because it would allow folks in foreign lands who drive on the wrong side of the car to experience the joys of mullet growth and Camaro ownership, we're more excited for a purely selfish reason. If the introduction of the Pontiac G8 wasn't enough of a harbinger, this edict is obviously one more yellow brick in the road to America for the Holden Ute."
