A nuclear waste disposal company and a pizza shop typically have little in common. But GM’s latest commercial release, the Chevrolet HHR Panel, is an ideal fleet vehicle for both businesses, says Tim Cavanaugh, marketing product manager of fleet & commercial operations at GM. 

The new HHR model was built specifically for the commercial market with input from customers. Following the initial HHR launch and responding to customer requests, the HHR Panel now offers delivery/courier truck features, said Cavanaugh.

Side Panels Can Display Graphics

Most distinctively, perhaps, are the HHR Panel’s smooth, windowless side panels. The exterior “blank canvas” provides space for customized logo and business graphics. The van offers a customer-suggested finished interior with hidden storage areas and tie-down loops. 

The HHR Panel features a 900-lb.-maximum payload capacity and nearly 63 cubic feet of interior cargo space, including three storage compartments in the load floor. The compartments can be ordered with optional locking doors. The front passenger seat can be folded flat, allowing transport of an object up to 8 feet long.

The flat, durable, and easy-to-clean composite payload floor allows users to slide items in and out of the vehicle. Ten tie-down rings easily secure cargo. 

“One company we talked to was in the business of nuclear waste clean-up and wanted a floor robust enough to handle their cargo, should it ever spill,” Cavanaugh said. “The designers created a floor mat to accommodate all kinds of chemicals. It also has a deep catch that may trap chemicals running across the floor.”

The standard-size fuel tank allows drivers to cover up to 450 miles before refueling, with an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

The HHR Panel van offers small-size vehicle maneuverability. It’s a small enough that drivers can get to places where a full-size truck wouldn’t fit, Cavanaugh said.

GM works with Adrian Steel and Master Rack for bin package arrangements.

Customers Select Options

The HHR Panel can be completely customized according to customer needs. “We give customers everything they would have in a regular HHR at the base price, then let them select customized options from a menu,” Cavanaugh said. Optional features include OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation system and a 40-amp outlet integrated with the turn of the key.

Popular “creature comfort” features on the HHR Panel van include XM radio with traffic updates for every local area, power seats, lumbar support, cruise control, and all the features on a typical retail vehicle. The vehicle also boasts a NHTSA Five-Star crash-test rating.

Pricing for the HHR Panel begins at $16,750, including destination.