Filed under: SUVs, Trucks/Pickups, Marketing/Advertising, HUMMER
GM needs HUMMERS
Actually, Hummer needs more Hummers. That's the news coming out of GM today as Bob Lutz told reporters at the opening of a Hummer dealership in Paris (we hope the dealership is well fortified, and Lutz is prepared to take a pie in the face). As for any particulars on what new Hummer models we may see, good ole' Bob as the usual non-committal statements, like a truck would be an 'option' or a Wrangler competitor is being 'considered.' Furthermore, the number of new models that may be needed seems to hover around two or three.
With the production of the civilian HMMWV, the H1, kaput, GM has an opportunity to remake the Hummer dealership into an off-road enthusiast destination, and maybe lose some of its negative image as a symbol of 'American excess.' With the sales of the smaller H3 leading its range, we bet any new Hummers model lines will be developed off smaller platforms. This would be a necessity, especially in the case of a possible Jeep Wrangler competitor. It is interesting though, to see how Hummer may transform from this H1-only brand to one that no longer markets what was originally its namesake.
Thanks MikeUF for the tip.
[Source: CNNMoney]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Jeff 7:58AM (9/29/2006)
and maybe loose some of its negative image as a symbol of 'American excess
Maybe they should LOSE it.
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Stoneman 8:05AM (9/29/2006)
we need another Hummer truck just like you need a root canal every day.
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
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Moses 8:07AM (9/29/2006)
And the Lord saith, HUMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
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Big One 8:10AM (9/29/2006)
GM should have released the that H3T concept! that thing was awesome! and if they come out with a Wrangler fighter I would definitely get one!!!! I just hope that they dont start bastardising the brang by using dumb platforms and come out with something that looks like that Jeep Compas, blah!! What a Turd ;P
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Richard Warren 8:16AM (9/29/2006)
Gotta laugh at the headline!
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SaveGas 8:39AM (9/29/2006)
Lutz is going to bury GM with his asinine antics. Too bad gas is going down; maybe then society would resist the proliferation of shit like this more.
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MadeinDetroit 8:40AM (9/29/2006)
Stoneman we need your reviews and un-original comments
like we need a root canal every day. It may not be a product you want to buy or can afford, but it is a product that GM makes that there is a market for.
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Justin 8:51AM (9/29/2006)
I would contend that the earth, climate, ozone layer, air quality, and people in general dont need a Hummer.
We may want it, but we certainly dont need this overpriced, overrated piece of scared-to-drive-suburban-housewife/guy-whose-manhood-is-too-small crap.
pseudo-utilitarian bs...
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JackOfShadows 8:57AM (9/29/2006)
Hey guys, if we don't need a Hummer 3 with a 5 cylinder engine, then we don't need any small trucks; like the Chevy/GMC, the Dakota, the Ranger, etc.
I'd rather see smaller trucks/suv's with 5 or 6 cylinder engines than Dodge Rams with a hemi.
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Tina 9:35AM (9/29/2006)
Curse those SUVs, doesn't everyone know that they are the Sole reason for global warming. I mean thats what AlGore says and he's credible right? I mean he invented the internet right. Oh if only we could FORCE everyone to drive small cars, the world would be such a better place well because it would FEEL right. If anyone dares disagree with what I say I will attack your person and call you names and say you are scared. Well because I'm right and it FEELS right and I will throw a flower at you. Flower Power!
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Poleaxe 9:56AM (9/29/2006)
Ozone layer? Someone thinks cars are punching a hole in the ozone layer? I didn't realize SUVs now produce CFCs and insert them into the upper atmosphere over Antarctica, in addition to raping Mother Gaia by conventional means. Damn you, GM!
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Andrew 9:59AM (9/29/2006)
I really like the H3 pickup concept. In fact my son has a Hot Wheels toy that is exactly that. I think that and the smaller Wrangler-esque off-roader are great ideas, and would compete well with Jeep.
And as someone else noted, they're more efficient than the full-sizers, to appease the whining hippies. Even the little Japanese trucks are getting bigger, e.g. Tacoma. If small pickups become cool again due to fuel economy, people will not buy more truck than they "need". I'm all about free choice and driving whatever you darn well please, but if downsizing of trucks is the next big trend, why not encourage GM to lead the charge?
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Skizzo 10:03AM (9/29/2006)
Wow - this is sad. You're all arguing over whether or not the world needs Hummers, and here they are watering them down to make them more palatable to people just like you. They're getting rid of the 85mph top speed $100K+ civilian model which has the aerodynamics of a brick, gets horrible mileage and costs much more than it should and contemplating replacing it with a vehicle just like any other GM that many of you probably already drive. And you're bitching about it?!
The other irony is that people whine about Jeep watering down their offroad offerings - and here Hummer, who made vehicles that the military purchased to replace the Jeep because of their offroad capabilities, is watering down their lineup, and nobody has brought that up yet, either.
I'll end with agreeing with #1 poster. You guy run a car blog - writing is either your passion or something you get paid to do. It's sad that you spelled 'lose' wrong. The Internet is grammar's worst nightmare.
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That One Person 10:06AM (9/29/2006)
That truck is sweet. But if GM decides to build it or something like it and make it the size of the H3, it really needs the 4.2 liter I6. I dont care if the five cylinder is getting a power boost. Also, and the hippies will hate me, but Hummer should build something off the Suburban platform. Just my two cents...
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rwdmtparkingonly 10:29AM (9/29/2006)
The H3 really needs the new turbo ecotech, it makes 260 ft/lbs and gets really good milage. As the roads in America become even more third world a rugged suv is becoming necessary, but the turbo 4 could make it efficient also.
Hummer can go smaller, but it can't lose the body on frame and live rear axle.
#14, the H2 is based on the Suburban/Tahoe platform. They could make a long wheel base version (Suburban length instead of Tahoe length), but the H2 is mainly an urban yuppie/rapper truck and those customers need the short wheel base to park easily.
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wake up 10:32AM (9/29/2006)
Tina are you insane? You really think that the SUV's are the sol reason for global warming? Go read a book!
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DriftPunch 10:36AM (9/29/2006)
Yet another series of posts bitching about 'waste'. Suprisingly, nobody sees the 'waste' in a 4 door performance sedans or luxury cars. Be honest folks, if you don't like the segment just say it! Don't rationalize it with weak arguments.
If one is interested in being an environmentalist, one should not be an automotive enthusiast. A person who purchased a 3/4 Ton Suburban in 1996 and has driven it daily for 10 years, has created less pollution and enviornmental degridation than someone who purchased a Tercel in '96, a Civic in 99, then a Prius in '04. Focusing on fuel use is myopic...
Bicyle blog, that-a-way--->
I think they should produce something to compete with a Wrangler.
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goat 10:46AM (9/29/2006)
The H1 was the whole raison d'etre for the brand. With it gone, I don't see the point of HUMMER.
And the H1 wasn't all that wasteful. With the Duramax Diesel, it got 15-18 mpg...not at all bad for a 7500+ lb. vehicle. The H2 is the wasteful one, and it's utterly pointless.
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MikeW 10:59AM (9/29/2006)
Not until they fix the ones they have already. Where is the 6 speed automatics? H2 sucking it up with the wholey antiquated 4L60, same with the H3.
GM let the H1 alpha die because they jacked the price sky high and did not do anything to justify the outrageous prices. Where was the extra overdrive ratio in the Allison? where was the shorter axle ratio to go with that? from 2.56 to 2.73. Better acceleration, better mileage (more torque converter lockup) nothing
H2, for $50,000 large you could demand the same corvette engine (LS2) as in the 30,000 GTO. The best thing about the H2 is the engine air filter.
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GhostDoggy 11:15AM (9/29/2006)
The civilian Hummer means only one thing in this world and that is status symbol. No one expects real performance, which is a good thing considering they ain't getting any. Of course, I am talking about the H2 and H3 (Colorado Reduex). But then an automaker doesn't really care if they can create the illusion and sell, sell, sell, right?
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