Chevy Retro Styling Pays Off at SEMA

Chevrolet’s retro-style HHR was recognized today as the most accessory friendly SUV at the 2005 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, capturing one of three SEMA Vehicle Design Awards and joining a prestigious list of past winners.
“The aftermarket will have a heyday with this SUV, and die-hard GM fans now have their own little HHR cruiser to kick out,” said David M. Gordon, western regional sales manager for Hamsar Diversco, Inc., adding that the “retro-looking multi-use HHR lends itself to many different styling directions.”
Those included in the Vehicle Design Awards selection process were SEMA member companies who regularly participate in technology sharing programs; the Chevrolet HHR received more than 60 percent of the votes.
“Our manufacturing members that participate in this program had early access to this vehicle and found the design and engineering lends itself to customer personalization,” said Carl Sheffer, Vice President of OEM Relations for SEMA. “Based on feedback from the OEMs, we are having a positive impact on the design and marketing of future vehicles.”
For several months, the Chevrolet HHR has been among the vehicles included in SEMA’s information sharing programs between original equipment manufacturers and SEMA members. Chevrolet’s participation in data sharing, measuring sessions and technology transfer initiatives with SEMA members resulted in the aftermarket being in sync with the launch of the Chevrolet HHR.