I work at Year One--right before the HHR was released last year, we were one of four companies given pre-production HHRs to customize for marketing and design studies. Of the four companies, three of us built Panels. That made the execs at GM sit up and take notice.
At the time, they also had a panel concept show vehicle going together in their design studio. The rear panels opened up for surf board and guitar storage or something dumb...It was based on the whole "Southern California is soooo *****in'" theme.
At the time, we were told that GM had zero plans to offer a panel to the public. As a small business man (I run a swap meet), I told everyone there I talked to that it'd be PERFECT for businesses, the other builders told them it'd be perfect for shop trucks, etc. etc. etc.
Then they took our concepts out on the road and showed them. Feedback was good.
It's not a "true" panel, but I'll tell you what--access behind the front seats is a great idea, because you can stash small things up there and get them in and out easily, rather than climb into the back door and crawl up behind the front seats to retrieve something.
I think (and hope) GM has themselves a winner here. A lot of small businesses are going to get them, and they'll make fine service vehicles for a lot of companies. I think fleet-type vehicles will do well. If Chrysler re-tools the PT into a panel, they'd be smart. Ford, for once, has nothing to compete.
Brad
