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Grand Traverse, Mich. -- General Motors today committed to produce the innovative Chevy
SSR, the distinctive open-aired concept super sport roadster that has captured the imagination and fancy of auto show goers from Detroit to Geneva during the early months of 2000. GM president and chief executive officer G. Richard Wagoner, Jr., announced that customers will be able to "buy this vehicle" beginning in 2002.
Speaking before an annual University of Michigan sponsored automotive conference, Wagoner stressed that the Chevy SSR is GM’s icon for product innovation leadership, the company’s sense of urgency and renewed commitment to exciting vehicles.
"Just ten months ago this vehicle was little more than an image on a designer’s
computer screen. But what an image!" he said. "So we marshaled the resources that only a big and fast company can bring to bear, and we built it in just three months, in time for the Detroit auto show last January."
Wagoner noted, however, that the real benefit to the customer is the speedy production decision, which came just seven months after the first public showing. Chevy SSR (Super Sport Roadster) is the second of nine North American GM concept vehicles from the 2000 auto show circuit set to move from showstand to owners’ driveways. It joins the one-of-a-kind HUMMER H2 in the product plan. Wagoner emphasized that more concept-to-production announcements will be coming before "we unveil our next round of show stoppers beginning in Los Angeles and Detroit in just under five months."
Referring to the Chevy SSR concept pickup truck, which built such a huge following in less than one year, he said, "In production, you’ll buy this vehicle with its open-air sports car feel, retractable hardtop, storage and flexibility.
And the best part, it’s all Chevy heritage … rear-wheel-drive with strong V-8 power!"
Wagoner emphasized, "Innovation isn’t one thing, it’s a unique combination of many characteristics. I’m sure a
sportscar, pickup and roadster in one striking package fits that bill!"
Noting that in the past GM would never have spoken about a planned vehicle this early, he said, "We don’t have every detail buttoned down for the
SSR, but look at that truck! Doesn’t it just feel right! And frankly, the fact that we don’t have all of the details to offer you on the Chevy SSR today says something in itself.
"We know we can do it. That’s good enough for me!" How many? How much? Those answers will be decided soon. Bottom line, you’re going to be able to buy this vehicle".
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