Filed under: SUVs, Plants/Manufacturing, GM, HUMMER
H2 factory shuts the line down for two weeks

GM has recognized that dealers are suffering from a severe glut of H2s on their lots and has determined that the best way to avoid adding to the over-supply problem is to cease production at its Mishawaka, Indiana plant.
This is not the first time that GM has made course corrections in the production of the Tahoe-based Hummer. Back in January of this year, the automaker transferred 170 employees off the line and into another plant to make up for shortfalls in H2 sales. Currently, the Mishawaka plant only has 600 employees, down from the 1,000 that it normally utilizes at full tilt boogie.
[Source: Freep]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
rwdmtparkingonly 9:14AM (10/06/2006)
"Tahoe-based Hummer" explains the entire problem. Regardless of gas prices nobody is going to want this when they can have a Tahoe on a new platform instead of this thing on the old one.
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John C 9:57AM (10/06/2006)
It is not a Tahoe! The front of the platform is the Tahoe the back is the rear section of the Suburban! When are you guys going to get it right! It is a combination of 2 frames, which is totally used only for H2. Who writes this crap!
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christopher 10:00AM (10/06/2006)
There's a reason why those H2s aren't selling... they look totally ridiculous. Maybe it's time to redesign the H2 and make it less fugly or even make a diesel or hybrid version... a revamping might help get it off the lot.
And they base the H2 on the Tahoe? So people are paying that much money for an ugly Tahoe? That's just sad.
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Tim UF 10:03AM (10/06/2006)
the best way to stop adding to the supply (are they up to a year on back lots yet?)... is to literally stop adding to supply... pure GM genious at work somewhere...
as for tahoe vs unique... i'd rather not drive a vehicle thats less aerodynamic than an airbrake, thank you.
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MC 10:08AM (10/06/2006)
Wait, nobody wants to shell out 50K for an ugly, clumsy, 3-ton vehicle? I'm shocked...
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Ed 10:37AM (10/06/2006)
Tahoe, Suburban same thing one is longer than the other. I you ever sat in a H2, I have and were is the room? There a joke, that is why thay don't sell.
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ChaoZ 10:43AM (10/06/2006)
Shut it down for good. I'm no tree-hugger, but the H2 and H3 are just wannabes of the Hummvee/H1. Seeing a H2 or H3 on the road just screams how stupid the driver is.
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Nelson Muntz. 11:03AM (10/06/2006)
HA-HA!
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Jamie 11:04AM (10/06/2006)
It'more likely that everybody who wanted one has one already (kinda like the Camry). No but seriously.
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Silver 11:05AM (10/06/2006)
Wow, does this mean American consumers are finally waking up and getting a clue? Astounding.
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Ed 11:44AM (10/06/2006)
Robin.... Now who is being STUPID? 1% of Hummer see off road ( that might be too high) and you know that. No one had said anything about shuting down GM and Ford, they need to wake up and make products that people want. Were not anti-America we just want the good stuff for our hard earned money.
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B-NOIT 12:10PM (10/06/2006)
RE: 11, 12.
Not only do the American 3 need to start making products people want, but they also need to steal a page from the others' guideline manual and update their cars to keep them competitive. The Cavalier/Sunfire, Venture(Uplander)/Montana(SV6)/Silhouette(Terrazza)/Relay, and the Blazer are all vehicles that GM has kept in production far too long without any significant changes. They shouldn't go more than 3 years without an update, and the whole product should be overhauled extensively at LEAST every 6 years. GM's current minivan situation is quite underwhelming, what with the basic components and styling that originate from... what was it, 1998? Meaning it was designed in 96-97? Not the most forward-thinking philosophy.
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timmy 12:11PM (10/06/2006)
Hey I just heard kerkorian is pulling out of GM and his buddy York left the board. Bad move Wagoner
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Finished Law School 12:14PM (10/06/2006)
It's an overweight Tahoe and therefore a waste to begin with. GM should have created a new frame for the H2, a stronger frame that would be fit for a Hummer.
But asking GM for innovation is like asking a UAW member to do some work, it does not happen.
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Robin 12:15PM (10/06/2006)
Ed your a child. It's a free country. Yes 99% of Hummer buyers buy them for image! Grow up! Aren't people buying larger more expensive homes? Upscale clothing? It's a free country, buy what you want! But it would be a good idea if you would try to buy American.......ASS
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Ed 12:23PM (10/06/2006)
ROBIN.... Your a poor misguided fool. Nice try and I guess your TV and the computer is all American. Think before you type.
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KC 12:33PM (10/06/2006)
Ed, I agree with Robin, You must be a teenager not to see what the point is.
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stompin 12:34PM (10/06/2006)
Ha-Ha. Burned now aren't you Eddie.
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Allen Klosowski 12:51PM (10/06/2006)
I'd be seriously amazed if even 5% of Hummer owners even take them off pavement, let alone into the wilderness. Frankly, I live in Texas and there aren't even that many places to use them unless you own a ranch. If you own a ranch, they are useless vehicles, and too expensive to boot. Ranch owners want useful vehicles like trucks, off roaders are usually prone to buying good off road vehicles that can get scratched up like Jeeps. Maybe in 10 years when these things are sitting for $3k in a used car lot might they start getting used for offroading, not now with those 10k 25 inch rims and in-seat DVD players. I remember when Corvette used to scream "small penis complex", it seems that GM has successfully moved that designation to Hummer drivers...so I guess it helps save the Corvette brand in a way! :-)
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Corey W. 12:52PM (10/06/2006)
"the best way to stop adding to the supply (are they up to a year on back lots yet?)... is to literally stop adding to supply... pure GM genious at work somewhere..."
Then why is this a good move when any other company does it??
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