HHR's inspiration

0 Comments | USA TODAY, June, 2005 | by James R. Healey

HHR stands for heritage high roof. Heritage refers to the 1949 Chevrolet Suburban utility vehicle that inspired HHR's appearance. High roof is a description of the elevated roofline of the HHR and a reference to the extra headroom provided by such a design.

HHR is manufactured in Mexico using what GM calls its Delta platform. Chevy Cobalt, made at Lordstown, Ohio, also uses that platform and similar powertrains.

HHR is a preview of GM's model strategy. Mark LaNeve, vice president in charge of GM's North American sales and marketing, says building HHR as a second Chevy model on the Cobalt platform makes more sense than building a rebadged Cobalt for another GM brand.

Cobalt predecessor Cavalier also was sold as Pontiac Sunfire. They were so similar that they...