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GM to display commercial offerings at Chicago Auto Show

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GM Fleet and Commercial Operations says it will showcase a broad range of innovative commercial vehicles — including the new HHR Panel, which is designed for both commercial and private uses — at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, scheduled Feb. 9-18 at McCormick Place.

FCO will display a variety of vehicles, including medium-duty trucks designed to meet nearly every customer need. “We don’t wait for change to dictate the development of our products,” says Mark Karney, GM FCO marketing director for vans and trucks. “We work with our commercial customers and anticipate their needs.”

FCO represents all GM car and truck divisions and has invested more than $2 billion in commercial products, including the Chevrolet HHR Panel, the Chevrolet Uplander with Sit-N-Lift power seat and the Chevrolet Kodiak/GMC TopKick. The company also added E85-compatible commercial vans to its product line. “GM is committed to this market and in providing our fleet and commercial customers with vehicles that enhance their core business,” says Karney.

With expected production to start late in the first quarter of 2007, the HHR Panel will be offered in LS and LT trims, with 2.2L and 2.4L engines – both of which help the HHR deliver 30 mpg in highway driving. Inside, the HHR Panel has seating for two and a large, flat cargo floor, tie-down points and two large storage compartments with a lockable option.

The Sit-N-Lift power seat takes the right-side second-row passenger seat from the interior of the vehicle to the outside, down to a height of about 20 inches from the ground. With the push of a button either by the person in the seat or someone standing outside the vehicle, the seat can be swiveled outward and out of the vehicle or retracted back into the vehicle.