A Note from HUMMER: Let the Speculating Begin
By Martin Walsh
General Manager, HUMMER
In preparing for the announcement about General Motors’ putting HUMMER up for strategic review this week, we anticipated that subsequent rumors and speculation about the brand’s fate would soon begin. They have, and we can expect these things to swirl while we examine possible outcomes. But I want you to know that in the end I believe the HUMMER name, and its line-up of iconic vehicles, will still be purchased and enjoyed by customers around the world.
Globally, in eight short years, the HUMMER name has become one of the strongest brand names in the automotive industry. Today HUMMER vehicles are sold in 37 different countries around the globe. And outside the US, where the world has been living with high fuel prices for the past decade, 2008 sales through April were up 34.8% compared to 2007. It is a high-end product that holds inherent profit potential and already has a loyal and vibrant customer base. And, with nearly 60 % of HUMMER customers coming from outside GM product lines, it has highest conquest rate of any brand in the GM portfolio and HUMMER buyers are among GM’s youngest and most affluent.
HUMMER’s products are unlike anything else on the market. In addition to unmistakable, distinctive bold design, the trucks boast unparalleled off-road capabilities and fuel economy that is comparable to, or better than, most of their competitors in the market. The newly introduced 2008 H3 Alpha has won numerous awards, including Four Wheeler Magazine’s 2008 Four Wheeler of the Year and Truck Trend’s Best-in-Class: Hardcore 4×4.
And for 2009, the products and portfolio become even stronger. Already in production, the 2009 H2 offers even more interior luxury with available rear-seat captain’s chairs and Bluetooth connectivity.
The 2009 H3 and H3 Alpha deliver increased off-road capability with an available front-locking differential and standard Hill Start Assist. And this September we will introduce the new 2009 H3T, HUMMER’s first midsize truck. The H3T will appeal to the consumer who wants the towing and hauling utility of a full size pickup combined with the capabilities of a midsize HUMMER. In fact, the H3T is already earning significant media praise from industry experts including the editors of Four Wheeler and Pickuptrucks.com.
Four Wheeler Editor, Ken Brubaker, says, “The Hummer H3T is hands-down the most off-highway capable pickup in its class.”
And looking toward the future, the biofuel HX concept introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show injected consumers with renewed enthusiasm about the future potential of the HUMMER brand.
I wholeheartedly believe that HUMMER can have a bright future. It is growing globally and fills a niche in the automotive spectrum that delivers unparalleled off road capabilities in a luxurious package.
In any outcome, there is no denying the potential of a brand which holds such a vivid place in today’s culture.
- Posted in Business
krivka
Martin, Instead of sending your minions for coffee, go out and get it yourself. You and many like you in the industry are so out of touch with reality that there is no DOUBT that you may personally be responsible for the great company’s demise. However I do believe that things should right themselves soon. I wonder whether you and your friends were cheering when Fiat was bought out. (suckers)
Christopher Popa
Just a quick compliment for addressing an issue that is currently in the news and that your customers and enthusiasts care about. It takes the blog beyond being a p.r. tool (which is painfully obvious sometimes). Now if only you would have somebody interact with the posters, responding, as best they can, to questions and other comments.
P.S. - My recommendation would be to sell Hummer, and use the money to improve GM’s historic, iconic brands Buick and Pontiac.
Ryan
Martin,
Hummer Needs to go so that Saab can flourish.
I invite you to comment on a recent post.
http://www.saabhistory.com/2008/05/18/saab-automobile-hummer-two-opposing-world-views/
Coll
If Hummer is so wonderful and doing so well, why is it up for strategic review?
Without the H1, Hummers are nothing but uglified GMCs which are redundant copies of Chevy trucks.
DHummerman
I sell GM vehicles and love the Hummer brand. It keeps my clients safer than any vehicle I have ever seen in real life accidents. It is NOT a GMC or Chevy and to see for yourself, take a chevy or GMC on our test track “They Flip Over”.
GO HUMMER!
Selena
Mr. Walsh, your comments give me hope. I really want to see HUMMER stay around. You guys are doing great things with the brand. I don’t currently own a HUMMER, but I have been lusting after them… and I am looking to add one to the stable in the near future.
I agree that HUMMER has an iconic status and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that GM holds on to it.
Steve Langdon
Dear GM,
You finally come up with a product that I have been waiting for you to put out for years and it has the possibility to crush Jeep and you want to toss it out the window like a used wrapper. I can’t believe you are even considering it. Like you said Hummer is new, it’s different and it’s off road capabilities are fantastic. If its doing as well as you say and its selling that well over seas then again, why would you sell it. You should make them here and keep shipping them over. There are so many possibilities with this brand and even though I like that most of you’re line up is very luxurious, you do not have to build all of them that way. I have been a little confused about where are you trying to class them anyways. Is the interior really supposed to be as nice as a Cadillac? Why can’t you put out a H3 with a nice torqued out 4 cylinder or V6? Why can’t you put out a Hummer H2 with a fuel efficient diesel V8 or even a diesel V6? Why can’t you put out a H3 or H3T with a fuel efficient diesel V8 or V6 or even a diesel 4 cylinder? How about a H3 with a fuel efficient V8 and a water proof basic interior? Why could you not build a plant overseas and keep the brand to yourself? And my biggest question is why can’t you build a full size Hummer truck with a regular bed, diesel or fuel efficient V8 with all the great off road capabilities? This would be the truck for me and many, many others. To have a full size truck similar to the Hummer look with a water proof interior, neoprene seats, power wash interior, four doors,. A truck that you would not have to worry about getting dirty or easily dents. A truck with a semi gloss gray/black paint job or even flat black. I bet if you put one out with a diesel V6 it do as much as you’re 4.3 liter V8 with much better mileage. This is one of the most disappointing new stories I have heard coming from a US auto manufacture.
Before you go kicking it to the curb you better get some real facts from real consumers across the US and Canada. You better get out and talk to people.
Jon
GM has shown that it can make best-in-class vehicles like Corvette, Malibu, Silverado, CTS, and Escalade.
Others, like Aura, H3, Solstice and Vue are half-baked attempts at great vehicles. They could have also been stars with the same level of dillegence that the Chevy and Cadillac vehicles get.
Saturn could have been great. The ads were much better than the little cars, but people bought in to the good-rebel image. Now Saturn finally has great products, but ineffective ads. The Aura is the same car as the new Malibu, but it did not get the same level of advertising so most people still do not know it exists.
Hummer looks like a rerun of Saturn. GM launced a great brand, but does not know what to with it. The H4 was the obvious next step for everyone but GM’s executives. It would have been the perfect addition 2 years ago. Now would be the right time to launch the H4e all-electric 4X4.
But the bosses have their hands full with Chevy and Cadillac, so someone else will get the opportunity to cash in on the Hummer name.
Rene Curry
BOB was right! We don’t need CAFE standards, the marketplace will take care of itself. We are seeing the shift in consumer buying patterns and sentiment without any government mandates.
That said, I can see the concern for the future of the Hummer brand. Higher fuel costs coupled with being the anti-green poster child.
Maybe you can alleviate a little of the anti-green perception with a little rebranding and engineering.
Create some add-on names to the existing vehicles to help the owner justify it’s use to the public. Examples:
Hummer Business
Hummer Municipality
Hummer Terrain Required
Hummer Towing Required
Next have commercials showing how an economy car cannot peform these tasks, yet the tasks are still required.
Comedy required!!!
In conjunction with the rebranding, utilize a diesel to show higher mileage numbers.
Next, keep NA manufacturing for export. Use the same branding justification in the other countries.
I think this is a better stategy than sharing your technology with TaTa or any other potential buyer.
Korina Meza
I sell GM vehicles and love the Hummer brand. It keeps my clients safer than any vehicle I have ever seen in real life accidents.
Barry
The least of GM’s problems are a vehicle that sells a handful of thousands of units a month. The big elephant in the room is the massive economic bubble brewing in China and other emerging markets. GM is counting on emerging markets to pull them through the malaise in North America. Emerging markets are going to crater and with these countries being bastions of social instability and less than transparent governments, GM’s risks surrounding Hummer will look like a pimple comparatively.
Mike
I have been a Jeep owner for years and recently upgraded to a Hummer … while I am anxiously awaiting the H4 to arrive I am fully enjoy my H3 (it is really fun to drive and well done). There are only a few global brands that truly radiate offroad capability and in a short time Hummer has set itself ontop of that crowd. It would be a shame to see the brand go now, when it has so much potential as a niche play (brand) within a full vehicle lineup. Sure Hummer is not for everyone, you either hate it or love it … but those that love it, buy it, and are loyal fans. We need both our volume brands and our niche brands to fully support the range of jobs our customers hire our vehicles for.
Martin Walsh
Christopher:
Thanks for noticing and commenting. If you ever have a question about HUMMER, don’t hesitate to ask.
- Martin
Bwright
Martin,
Would it be possible to roll Hummer into GMC and simply call it the GMC Hummer? Then you could better centralize your truck divisions and marketing. You would not have lost the Hummer brand but paired it up with its logical GM brother. Not sure what the inevitable legal/copyright name issues are but it seems to make sense to me. It would help GMC’s sales numbers in the near term and if the current oil situation turns out to be a bubble (seems likely) then would even bode well for the future.
Regards,
B
motorman
the hummer need the 6.2 liter engine as buyers that have the money to buy a hummer do not worry about what it costs to fill the tank. i am a 2008 corvette owner and filling the tank is one of the lesser expenses i have as the car payment is $600 a month but my SS check is $1100 so that leaves me $500 for gasoline.
Jeffrey
I love my HMMER! It is the best 4×4 I have ever owned! Selling the brand would be a HUGE MISTAKE! DON’T DO IT!!!!!
johnl
ABC News is reporting today about Jonathan Goodwin - the self taught Kansas mechanic who converts Hollywood stars’ Hummers to get 20 to 60mpg on canola biodiesel using GM Duramax engines. This is not years down the road with some magic new technology that doesn’t yet exist, but today on an existing H1 or H2.
Why isn’t this guy working for GM yet? Get his software tweaks into the 2009 models ASAP. Make his diesel conversions available as a regular factory option, even if only in small numbers. This is the kind of thing GM needs to fix the image perception issues with Hummer and GMC.
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GlobalWarming/story?id=5028894&page=1
Frankie
Martin, Martin Martin. I have been in your surrounding and know you always look like a million bucks. Still remember you when you were Marketing truck manager!
Why ask a question when you know the answer. Hummer is the emblem for the not so green community. It is the generic brand that exemplifies waste and blatant US infatuation. I am glad to see it gone. We do not need this kind of aggravation.
jeff
Give me a break! GM has managed to take a global icon and run it squarely in to the ground because Mr. Walsh and his brillaint team at GM have a myopic view of the car business. No one in the auto industry reacts as poorly to the market place than GM. Instead of designing a Hummer vehicle that gets better fuel economy for 2009…..they build a pick-up with only a 1000 pd. payload capacity and 14 mpg. Wow. Mr. Walsh! Great thinking! A truck that gets 14 MPG AND can’t get more than 5 bags of mulch in the bed……bet a lot of people want that!
A monkey with a note in it’s mouth could garner better market share with the Hummer brand than Mr. Walsh. Hello? Detroit Zoo? Wanna buy Hummer?
Ronald Orr
Baytech does conversions of GM trucks to CNG. Hummers use the same engines. Conversions cost approx $12,000; qualify for US and CA tax credits. Hummer could set up a line to do wholesale conversions of existing H2 inventory. CNG costs $0.65 to $2.50 gal (depending on market) and produces much less NO and 30% less CO2. CNG vehicles qualify for CA car pool lanes with single driver. T. Boone Pickens stated that natural gas is the only real alternative to oil. Natural gas (methane) can be made from just about any animal or plant waste. Whats not to like?
Rum Doodle
~ “…delivers unparalleled off road capabilities in a luxurious package.”
Isn’t that the problem — trying to combine and market luxury and off-road ruggedness?
Real people with rugged, tough, demanding jobs will always need heavy-duty, off-road vehicles.
But for the most part, you haven’t marketed the Hummer to real people doing rugged things. Instead, you’ve marketed it mostly to rich people who think they can appear “tough and rugged” if they drive around town in one of the Hummer series.
Even the rich will balk at paying $4.00 per gallon just so they can drive around in a gas-guzzler playing a role.
Les
Its simple- if its not pulling its own (making money) -get rid of it. GM does not need another money loser- we have enough of them now. They are going to put us out of business.
edvard
The problem for Hummmer is it’s image and legacy, which has been relatively short in terms of being a consumer brand. The problem is that it gained early notoriety for being the biggest, most gigantic vehicles known to man on US highways. They weren’t just big, they were ridiculously big, which was fine when gas was cheaper.
That said, I think the Hummer is too distinct of a brand to scrap. But it does need a serious face lift. The problem is that even though the H3 are based off of a Chevy Colorado with a 5 cylinder engine that gets admirable fuel economy for its size, the public still sees “Big Honkin’ SUV” when one rolls by. The fact that an H3 looks very similar to the H2 means the average person probably automatically writes the model off as being too excessive.
I’m not saying lose the image or the big SUVs. But I think a whole new lineup of product is required- particularly products that maintain the tough utility appearance yet also appear to be economical and practical. That’s a delicate balance, but that’s what you need at this point.
Edwin
Agree with Bwrights comment above to roll GMC into HUMMER, though I would simply call it HUMMER with descrete GMC labeling. Unless someone comes up with a better option, this is good idea.
It would no doubt help GMC conquest rates and open the door to develop new light SUV product lines.
Hummer should offer a light 4 cyclinder. Its the ”brand name” that has appeal.
GM needs to make some news, and this would show leadership.
Edward Hayes
Hummer is up for strategic review? Yeah I got your strategic review right here.
First the microeconomics of Hummer. Last spring 2007 Hummer H3’s were offered with lease deals as low as $99 to $159 a month. When I got mine with chrome accents and sunroof I ended up paying not much more than what was advertised.
Now operating a Hummer is not much more expensive. I drive 9 miles to work. 18 miles a day 5 days a week. That translates to about $20 a week in gas. In other words, let me put it this way, the #1 factor in determining your gas bill is the length of your commute.
Now some do pay, what $300 for a hybrid a month for lease or sale, I still make out better than them with transportation costs at between $270-$300 a month. No, not exactly wealth requiring numbers here.
Now macroeconomics (see I knew that class would come in handy for something). Look the truck category took a wallop last month, to be expected, but so did every GM brand from Cadillac to Saturn. Now while we were voting on the Beat, Trax, and Groove, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota started building it.
While we were adding up the votes, they started shipping it. While we were thinking about it, their vehicles began hitting our shores. While we finally got the winner down they began selling them. When gas prices hit $4 a gallon we said “Well it’s time to run it by the board for approval. Okay yup they are selling! Wow look at those Honda sales go!”
Now it’s approved, “Okay it will be here next summer!”
Mind you, it didn’t take us bloggers long, from the moment we saw them we pleaded with you…”BUILD ALL THREE, IMMEDIATELY AND AT ONCE!!!”
The same plea was made for the compact Cadillac again we must wait. A compact Buick? I fought for the Pontiac G5 when no one else would. It’s not a Solstice but its strategic importance is clear now. And the Corsa and the Miriva and the pleas for small vehicles went on and on to no avail. So when gas prices spiked we were not ready.
But here is the macroeconomic part. Trucks probably would have financed these vehicles, so sales were down for trucks but they were down for Toyota trucks and Nissan trucks as well. Yet, the weaker competitors will fail first, like Mitsubishi, Nissan, Land Rover, and forget about new competitors. So when the truck market rebounds we win. But don’t sell the gold standard of truck brands so our competitors can sell Hummer pick ups in the future and challenge Detroit in its last field of dominance.
Furthermore, when gas prices spiked which we knew would happen, we could have won, if we had a swarm of small vehicles. The public would still consider our brands but even our car brands and sales suffered. We offer small but we failed to build the brands around small and better yet, a brand tailored to small.
In short…
Eight brands affords us the ability to be on top whether gas prices spike or fall. Yet we failed to offer what the public wants because we failed to tailor our brands to every segment of the market.
In the end we failed our brands, our brands did not fail us.
Bottom line…
Customer wants one thing, everything. And a well rounded lineup in each brand, and a strategic edge in every corner of the market with strong brands in each of those corners is the only lineup that will do.
Joe Gakenheimer
I feel at ease after reading this blog. I am a HUMMER fan and would like to own one someday. I only have a couple of qualms about any of the vehicles. Firstly, I do think the mpg’s are a little on the low side. I think a concentrated effort should be made to increase the H2 and H3 by 20%, then it would be inline or above potential competitors. Secondly, I am not thrilled with the 3.7 inline 5 of the H3; I am sure it is fine for some people, but I see no fuel saving potential over a 4.5′ish V6. The H3 Alpha is very nice and if I can ever afford one it will definately be on my list. So I hope to see HUMMER’s on the road for sometime, men like me still dream of the day when one can be our own!
Nate
I disagree with the statements made by GM. If the Hummer were doing that well why would its fate even be in question.
As someone who briefly looked at the Hummer and similar competing vehicles including Jeep and Toyota’s FJ amongst others, I consider the Hummer a dieing joke of a vehicle.
The original H1 was a beast, it truely was an awesome vehicle derived from military service. But the H2 and H3 seemed to have truck-ified the vehicle. Gone was the great independent suspension and the tie down hooks that are only used in serious vehicle usage (like being dropped from a plane or loaded on a ship). These were aspects of the H1 I always found extremely cool and part of what gave the H1 its appeal. GM removed these things (at least functionally). The solid axel made them seem less rugged and less military grade. All that was ok except the Hummer was all about pretending to be cool. Their ridiculous price and fuel usage made them seem like something only the yuppy crowd would buy… many of which never used them offroad.
Quite honestly Hummer needs a rethink or to be axed. The H3 is finally nearing the size where I would consider one, except for fuel economy and the fact that an H3 truck was never offered.
If GM wants to keep the Hummer brand around, bring back the H1 for serious off roaders, and make the H3 a bit more civilized with a nicer interior, quieter ride and better fuel economy… heck make it a hybrid or a diesel. I’d consider buying one if it wasn’t a fuel hog. When I look at GM’s lineup I don’t see anything that looks masculine that is between the Chevy/GMC SUVs and the Colorado and Trail Blazer. All of which are either to large or hideous (Colorado and Trail blazer). Sure the new crossovers and Enclave are awesome but they lack the appeal of a true of road machine. However in today’s market such a true offroad machine lacks the civility to justify paying that much cost for that level of drivability… just my thoughts.
Nate
Rum Doodle
~ “Now operating a Hummer is not much more expensive. I drive 9 miles to work…the #1 factor in determining your gas bill is the length of your commute.”
Unless you live in Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, or some other rugged place, why on earth would you be commuting in a Hummer?
Michael P. Gallagher
KEEP THE BRAND! (Get someone to bring back a real iconic brand while their at it…..Oldsmobile!!!)
KEEP Hummer alive and make it even better by expanding the technology. Biofuel Hummers, Hybrid Hummers, Diesel Hummers…..someday a Hydrogen Powered Hummer….etc…, Hummer needs to showcase the ultimate in off road capability while at the same time being ECO-concious and as fuel efficient as possible. A Duramax Hummer with a Gear Vendors overdrive should have been out years ago. Active Fuel Management and E85 should be standard on Gas Models…..
GM=CarKing
Martin, you are either in a state of denial or fantasy. Hummer is going to die anyway. The shift to small cars is inexorable. The Mazda2 and upcoming Ford Fiesta are all going to do well. The Japanese automakers are gonna OBLITERATE GM’s market share! Wake up now!
I hate to see you lose your job
but it is possible. And I predict GM’s market share will be eclipsed by Toyota, Honda and even Nissan, even GM still thinks small cars are not for real men. You get what i mean.
Dragonlord of Windsor
Rum Doodle
~ KEEP Hummer alive and make it even better by expanding the technology. Biofuel Hummers, Hybrid Hummers, Diesel Hummers.”
Just think of the possibilities. Why, that’s exactly what we need — a biofuel/hybrid urban assault vehicle.
Kyle
The Hummer is an ugly, bulky, difficult to handle, gas-guzzling monster built for people who want to bully other drivers. Get rid of it.
Norm
They need to focus NOW. Fast tract the H4 and offer the H3 with a turbodiesal … and discontinue the H2. GM needs to get lean and fast moving to survive!
joseph
People love Hummer…..or they hate it! Or….they love to hate it!
What to do with Hummer? Make it the Jeep killer.
GM should make it the “green” truck of the future. Design a Hummer “volt” and every one would love it.
I have a Hummer. Yesterday, a mom with 2 kids asked if they could sit in it…it is their dream truck. It’s a winner when you make it “green”.
If GM doesn’t do it, some one else will and it will be remembered as another GM goof.
Or, GM can do it and it will be a big win, bigger in the pr area than Chevrolet Volt.
Worth a lot, I think.
SierraGS
GM needs to do what it should have done years ago with Hummer - give it a lineup to compete with Jeep.
Cadillac had the luxury SUV market with the Escalade but GM had no iconic off road competitor for Jeep, at least until the H-3 was introduced and it sold well at first, but lacked the right powertrain.
GM fixed half of the H-3 problem with the Alpha model powered by the 5.3L V8 but did not give it the 2.9L Turbo Diesel it needed for the U.S. market.
I will give GM credit for at least putting a smaller Diesel in the H-3 for other markets.
The H-3 and H-3T with a good Turbo-Diesel will get good MPG for this type vehicle; add a BAS Hybrid system with built in electric generator like the old GMT800 mild Hybrid and GM has a versatile high MPG off road vehicle.
Following these moves with a new H4 Wrangler competitor (2D and 4D) will boost sales volume.
The vehicle that would really turn the Hummer brand around is an “Urban Buggy” a cross between a Dune Buggy and a small Crossover built on a unibody chassis with a small I-4 for power (maybe the new 1.4L Turbo and 1.3L Turbo-Diesel as a high MPG option with a possible BAS hybrid). It would has an aggresive stance and be easy to get through city traffic and past off road obstacles and its light weight making it a good sand buggy.
Finally - Put the HUMMER vehicles with Pontiac and Saturn and all three will thrive.
Ryan
GM needs to take HUMMER and change a negative into a positive. Think about changing HUMMER from the world leader in the most inefficient vehicles to the world leader in efficient vehicles. Make HUMMER the green line of vehicles for GM. What noise does an electric engine make, it humms. Kill the H2. Turn the H3 into a hybrid and start the G line. The G1 could be a version of the Volt. The G2 could be a Vue hybrid. The G3 could be a Vibe or cobalt hybrid.
Turn HUMMER to shinning symbol of pride. It is risky but the world is changing and GM needs to change more than it already plans to.
getalifeagain
Hummer is the elite brand among all the other players in the 4*4 market.
Rum Doodle
~ getalifeagain said, “Hummer is the elite brand among all the other players in the 4*4 market.”
Huh? With all due respect, the real elites of the 4×4 off-road world are Pinzgauers and Unimogs.
Pinzgauer high-mobility all-terrain vehicle
Unimog - Universal-Motor-Gerät
Kevin Riley
Martin,
You turned Cadillac around, made the products sexy and attracted buyers. I have faith you can infuse the same greatness into HUMMER - it takes time and now that I can afford a HUMMER I hope you’re still in charge of the brand when it comes time to buy my next vehicle.
Phil
AS USUAL, people are expressing extremely dated, stupid opinions of GM.
What do you call the new Pontiac Vibe, a gas guzzler??? What do you call the new Saturn Astra, a weak American offering???
ALL the enthusiast mags just PRAISED the new Chevy Cobalt SS as an amazing ride with good mileage to be so fast!!
THESE ARE ALL EXCELLENT SMALL CARS, and with the 1.4 turbo coming soon, many GM cars will have world-beating mileage numbers. Hell, the Vibe IS A TOYOTA! I think every American owes it to themselves to go test-drive mulitple GM cars and compare the mileage to that of Toyota’s offerings.
Believe me the 4Runner, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser DON’T GET GREAT GAS MILEAGE, nor do their Lexus counterparts!!! HUMMER doesn’t look bad next to them!
Know what you’re talking about before you open your mouths fools!!
bryan
HUMMER is a powerful, well-recognized, global brand and I hope GM keeps it. Add diesel and turbo diesel engines, hybrids, etc. to improve fuel economy and let us keep enjoying the activities that we can only do with a properly equipped 4×4. Why send the brand somewhere else after you’ve developed it to this high level. Leave the H1 for military use - develop the H2/3/4 for consumers of the 21st century. Don’t do the Jeep move to AWD cars (sell the marque if that’s the plan).
Chad
Martin,
I have been racing for HUMMER since 1993. I raced the H1 even the H1 Alpha winning the BITD championship with it. I thought my moved to racing the H3 Alpha would be a step backwords, but let me tell you it is a huge step forward. My family has won the Baja 1000 in (Stock based HUMMERS) H1’s, H2’s, and the H3 Alpha 11 times, the last 7 years in a row. I’ll bet Toyota thinks a HUMMER is LIKE NOTHING ELSE. Keep up the good work.
Chad
Kyle Timlin
Martin,
It’s painfully obvious that your post is meant to attract the likes of Tata Motors. If Hummer is such a great brand and money-maker with brand strength and strong sales growth, why would you be selling it off? Doesn’t GM care about making money, or is it just the latest fad that drives your organization like a bunch of lemmings?
Here’s how I see this playing out - GM will sell Hummer for a song to another manufacturer. Then the oil prices will fall, and GM’s latest fad will change from green back to something else. GM will then buy back Hummer for a price premium and the entire cycle will repeat itself.
When will you learn?
Jeffrey
Hybrids don’t have enough torque to go off road (that’s what they say anyway). So why cant they make a Hybrid HUMMER on road and be able to turn the electric motor off while off roading?
Edwin
Dear GM execs,
1. Many are excited about the HUMMER brand name. It has youth appeal as well.
THE HUMMER Brand and a HOW TO HAVE A SALES GAIN and make a profit.
Enthusiasts such as myself have been saying, even before the gas price issue, that the way to leverage the business against the foreign competition is to target the luxury market. Why not target both luxury cars and SUVS?
Fact: HUMMER is a luxury brand, it lures Mercedes buyers. So during your brand review think about expanding the use of the brand. We say Roll GMC into HUMMER. Use HUMMER as a flag ship. The suggestion from enthusiasts has been and is take on Mercedes, to take both HUMMER and Cadillac up and down to reach upper class youth. Give Cadillac a hot 4 cyclinder, and give a V-12 sedan. Give it to HUMMER too. Offer the more fuel efficient 5.3 V-8 with active fuel management (or a new fuel efficient V-8), as an option in a Cadillac CTS. Offer a fuel efficient V-8 in the Buick Invicta too.
GM still has a luxury sedan deficit. A blunt assessment is that the new Malibu, new CTS, and Buick Invicta are all GM has to offer rising professional taste levels in a luxury sedan, and the Buick is not even on the market yet. Get it to market now. The problem for luxury buyers is that the new Malibu looks better than the Buicks. Why can’t we have better looking Buicks is the luxury sedan buyers on the fence concern. Not that Buicks don’t look good, its that we expect a stylish sedan. Your best customers own Auroras and Cadillacs and Park Avenue Ultras. Do you want to drive these people outside of GM? Right now these car owners have only two sedan choices from GM a new stylish Malibu or a new CTS/DTS to meet their level of taste. How long do we have to wait for a sedan from America that inspires to trade. American car buyers are waiting to see the Lincoln MKS before they buy. Don’t expect your best customers to lower their status, they want to have a new car that looks at least as nice as the one they already own or they won’t trade. There are many many customers on the side lines right now waiting for a nice looking American sedan choice.
Ask yourself, what sedan looks as nice as the Buick ULTRA right now or the Aurora or the Deville? You might be tempted to look outside GM. The Invicta and Malibu design has that appeal. The Lucerne has issues like the tail lights are too small for the headlights. Many are still trying to decide if they like the LaCrosse tail lights now that it has a better looking grille. The LaCrosse has the best engine choices. So in order to have a nice engine you have to have questionalbe tail light designs? Why is that? These sorts of issues hurt your business. Design nice looking sedans and you won’t have these issues.
Thus, GM execs are probably underestimating the sales potential of the Invicta. The CTS needs a small V-8 to lure the American luxury buyer. Not everyone wants a V-6 or 500 hp high performance. There are those in the mainstream of luxury you are missing who perceive the small V-8 as perfection, balance, and American quality. It is these folks who are disenchanted with you, they are your core buyers too. Powertrains are important to luxury buyers, a fuel efficent V-8 option keeps them inspired about American luxury cars. The small 4.0 V-8 and the 5.3 V-8 need to be in stylish products in order to beat the competition. Not in a sedan that says well, I like it a little better than a Toyota Camry or about the same as. It has to be a beautiful sedan like the Malibu or the Invicta design or the CTS. The DTS is great but it may be too large in appearance for the first time luxury buyer. The DTS is something to trade up to.
Likewise with HUMMER, GM has to seize the luxury market. Where are the LIGHT weight SUV/SUTs? By light weight we don’t mean light weight.
Stop saying you can’t make a profit. Your foreign competition, whom I don’t even enjoy spelling their names, make a profit, huge profits, on light weight products, and simple sedans. This is why the public and the media are scratching their heads. And I understand the finances of health care costs. Its just that the others have the same gross profit margins (before taxes), when your gross profit margins (before taxes and health care) should be higher. The obvious answer is the LUXURY MARKET. It is your gravy, because it IS your foreign competition’s gravy. Some might say, that your foreign competition intentionally targeted your luxury base. Time to TAKE it back.
The HUMMER brand should become the standard bearer for Luxury SUV/SUTs. It could retain discreet GMC labeling.
The reason for GM to target the luxury SUV/SUT market is now evident, when the economy goes into a lull the first ones to suffer are the contractors and those who buy trucks. This is a key reason to target the luxury market in order to maintain profit.
HUMMER brand represents a rugged form of luxury, it has GMC consumer appeal. In essence, the HUMMER is also professional grade engineering from the buyers point of view.
Thus, GM should roll GMC into HUMMER and synthesize its product luxury SUV/SUT product line. Let HUMMER brand name lead the way to more sales with new products.
Maintain consistency with names like the HUMMER Denali for example.
HUMMER could make a stylish light weight high mileage SUV/SUT. Go for it. The younger crowd would love it.
Dazzle America with some new high mileage HUMMER products. Of course, offer the high end product too. Just keep the sales momentum.
GM has great names, names like Toronado, Riviera, Denali, and HUMMER. When the bean counters told you to build bubble looking sedans they were wrong, the people started looking outside GM for style. Let’s see more of the great American style. Congratulations on HUMMER, CTS, Malibu, Invicta. If the stylish products and fuel efficient 4 and 6 options were available, along with V-8 American prestige, GM will have a sales and profit gain. GM quality has always satisfied American buyers, its only when GM styles slip up and sales drop the door opens for media and adversaries play the quality straw man. Don’t let them. GM quality always goes up, GM builds the best cars, trucks and SUVS. Just don’t ignore style and marketing and media and culture.
Sam Jomaa
Having travelled around the globe, I have not seen a vehicle brand that has done so much to its parent company as the HUMMER did to GM. HUMMER is all about status, and not so much about fuel economy or affordability. In some remote parts of the world where HUMMER is sold, affluent and status seeking buyers perplex on whether to buy a Bimmer, a Kompressor, or a HUMMER.
For those concerned about commute expense, and are only concerned about making it from point A to point B, you should not even be reading this Blog - HUMMER is not for you. A prius, Civic, or the like is what you need. And if you’re loyal to GM, buy the acclaimed Malibu. Or just wait for the Volt to come out in 2010.
Why should GM keep the HUMMER? It is the Halo effect, stupid. HUMMER brought customers to the GM fold that otherwise might have never turned an eye at a Chevy or Pontiac dealer lot. But when a HUMMER owner is considering another vehicle, say a fuel efficient car, for mother, father, daughter, mistress, or whomever else they care for, they will likely go to http://www.gm.com/shop.
And have we even discussed rock climbing?! Well, no need to. Becuase if you were into this sport, HUMMER is not about status - it is a necessity.
So, should GM sell the HUMMER brand, even if it brought in a billion or two? Hell not. That would be a blunder. But who said they are! It is under “Startegic Review”. That could mean so many things, including a PR stunt (think about this Blog!).
Now let me spoil it for you. I am a GM Chassis engineer who helped engineer those great rock climbers. And I can assure you that the H3 is not a Chevy or a GMC; it is not a copy cat. It is a HUMMER at the DNA level. But don’t let this spoil my previous statements - they were provided in good faith (I swear).
Even for a Hummer, Fuel Economy is important. So, hopefully some strategic plans to help improve the line PAFE will come out of the corporate review.
Now I have to go home and aspire my neighbor’s flashy yellow H2. My plan is still to better him someday…. I will replace the sod infront of my house this weekend.
Mike
I have just recently bought my 2nd H2 in light of the current fuel prices. Why? because I love Hummer and everything about the brand. And I’m far from being rich. I am willing to sacrifice a few dollars more for fuel every month for the comfort, safety and driveability of the H2. I do care about the environment and believe that GM needs to look more closely at what is here and what is to come. the HX is right on the mark with what Hummer personifies and what eco friendly vehicles can be for the Hummer enthusiast. In all the worlds posturing and medias’ hypocracy of being green and eco friendly, I have to really laugh at what some people think Hummer is. GM can make this brand better and give us what we need to succeed in todays changeing market place. I remember a few years ago when Hummer was the only brand that GM was making a profit with. Not a word was said about CO levels. Hummer was stouted as an American Icon ! Some tweaking and adjusting GM can be a leader in off road eco friendly vehicles. But it needs to be done now ! Hummer can become an American icon again and with a greener future it surely can be “Like Nothing Else”. That slogan could propell GM into the stratusphere if they make the necassary corrections. And Hummer will thrive like no other niche brand.
waiting4myTdi
GM, I have been a long supporter of GM and your vehicles. I also work in the auto industry and do work for GM as a supplier. Regarding Hummer and ALL GM makes in N.A.
Your going to miss the boat again! I want an H3 with a direct injection turbo-diesel! I also would like to see Tdi in my SAAB’s! If diesel hit $7.00/gal as I just paid in Germany, I dont care if I am getting 27+ MPG in a Hummer and 40+ MPG in a Saab with a 1.8Tdi!
I want my Turbo Diesel!
Truck Factoring
Hummer is superb. GM can be proud of it.
Alexandre
Hello M. Walsh,
HUMMER should stay. HUMMER and GM has a great opportunity to do a great marketing stunt.
Go Green now! Let’s say… in 2010, all HUMMERS would be available ONLY in Hybrids or Plug-in. No gas, no ethanol (poor image), no diesel (also poor image). HUMMER would be the ONLY brand to do such a move, probably 10 years before anyone elso could do it, even Toyota.
Why could HUMMER pull out someting like this? Because there is no competition for HUMMER. The truck and the image is unique. most people who buy this, don’t care if they pay 30k or 40k for the truck, they whant the image, the icon. It’s not like a CTS and a BMW 3. For these vehicules, competitive price matters… not for the H3 or H2. So go ahead, charge 6-8k for the hybrid powertrain. You will lose customers for sure, but you will also gain new ones…. people who are not driving HUMMER because of the negatif image. Also, remember this, If you do not do this, HUMMER will always have that polluting label. No matter what you do, the media will always hit HUMMER with a negative image, each time the gas goes up, they will show a HUMMER. Sames goes when the ICE caps are melting etc. But if you go exclusively Hybrid, this means another vehicule (hopefully not GM) will get that crappy image and HUMMER/GM will finaly get a break.
Solution is simple, mirror your opponent, is this case, the race for the green image, TOYOTA. Go Hybrid!
Imagine, HUMMER would go from the worst brand to the Greenest brand.
Fred
GM… PLEASE don’t get rid of the Hummer brand.
Their only image issue right now is with efficiency. That’s a hell of a lot better than GM’s other brands. Make BAS and flex fuel standard if you have to. Imagine that… Hummer being the FIRST brand to only sell hybrids. Or just wait it out till the intensity of this whole green movement goes away.
Hummer is totally fixable and has a lot going for it. I would be hugely disappointed if it went away. Or even worse, became foreign owned.
gtjeff
The strategic review is a wise move. This brand doesnt fit the image of a company trying to be more socially responsible.
GM like any other company, doesnt have unlimited resources. The time is right to sell both Saab and Hummer.
All these brands are doing is siphoning resources from your underfunded volume brands Buick and Pontiac. To increase market share, focus resources on your core brands instead of neglecting/renaming them. After all, do you have 3,000 Saab and Hummer dealers in the US, like you do for Buick/Pontiac/GMC? (more like 430 dealers for both brands combined!) Time to look at the big picture.
Thomas
I truly believe that this is a golden opportunity for General Motors and Hummer to turn the Hummer brand into a leader for GM’s green initiatives. Hummer would be an excellent brand to introduce GM’s 2-mode hybrid into each of its vehicles in addition to weight saving initiatives to improve fuel economy. Add technologies to all powertrains such as direct injection. Hummer has the potential to be GM’s green leader - with incredible off-road credentials as opposed to their fleet of gas guzzlers.
Brian Roche
I could understand a review of the brand if it didn’t fit into a competitive market. But you bought / built the Hummer brand to compete with the Jeeps and Land Rovers of the world. There are other brands in the lineup that are grossly overlapped in offerings (GMC/Chevy anyone?) (Cadillac / Buick?) (Saab / Cadillac?), that it would make more sense to trim and refocus those brands.
Saturn is now the “green” brand of GM, Saab is stuck out there as a half-brand euro fighter that never really gained any ground and is swallowed up in the Cadillac wave.
A Saab divestiture would make sense and allow Cadillac to size down from the CTS (which is the main reason they haven’t done it in the first place).
Really, 3 “luxury” car brands is too much to deal with, as Ford found out.
If GM sells the Hummer brand, they surrendered to Jeep as the only true “off-road” brand, reguardless of whether or not Moms across america take them where they’re designed to go or not.
Keith Osburn
Get rid of HUMMER, GMC, Saturn, and Saab. Focus more on Chevy, Pontiac, Buick, and Cadillac.
Toolman
“The vehicle that would really turn the Hummer brand around is an “Urban Buggy” a cross between a Dune Buggy and a small Crossover built on a unibody chassis with a small I-4 for power (maybe the new 1.4L Turbo and 1.3L Turbo-”Diesel as a high MPG option with a possible BAS hybrid). It would has an aggresive stance and be easy to get through city traffic and past off road obstacles and its light weight making it a good sand buggy.”
This is the best idea I have seen on this page. Hummer is was and must remain the OFF ROAD KING. Jeepers don’t get mad. A buggy type vehicle would be a first for anyone I believe…GM needs a first, its been a while. Tune down the H2 and amp up a buggy.
Roger Strain
The H2 is the first GM product I have bought in 25 years. It has been rattle, squeak and trouble free with no return trips to the dealer. I absolutely love mine and so does my wife and grandchildren.
People forget that there is a true need by many for a TRUE 4 X 4 vehicle to get around the ranch, through creeks and the snow with.
What have you seen pictures of on TV during the Mississippi River flooding in the Midwest? Lots of Hummers, from the military Humvee to civilian H1s, H2s and H3s. The H2 and H3 sell to the top 1% of income earners in the US, including many CEOS and movers and shakers. Do you really want to turn them against GM products by selling the brand?
Brandon
I do think Hummers look nice, but prior to the introduction of the H4, I would not have considered buying one. Now I see the H4, smaller, more rugged, powerful, perfect vehicle for me! Now it’s evaporating before it ever goes into production. I think it would’ve been a hit.
Jim Jamison
I’m a 51 year old vetrenarian in Wyoming. What many people fail to realize is that there are people that NEED Hummers and nothing will substitute. My Hummer has saved numerous horses in the middle of a snowy or rainy night. I’ve owned Land Rovers, Jeeps, International Harvesters, a modified Explorer, an Expedition, an F350, and NOTHING performs and carries my equipment like my H2. I climb rocks and ford creeks daily going to ranches to save cattle and horses and don’t know what I would do without my H2. I’ve hauled horse and cattle trailers behind my H2 with ease. If they discontinue the H2 I will buy two more and warehouse them for future use.
Rick
The pro’s and con’s of keeping Hummer are out weighed by world market, not NA. The fact that you have an overseas plant building the H3 at what I assume a profit only speaks for its worldwide strength. The Hummer line could be alot greener if the H2 was available with the Duramax or the option of the 2mode hybrid system and assembled in that medium truck plant scheduled to close in Mexico. A redesigned lighter weight Chassis for the H3/Colorado should also be a priority, and last but not least, an H4 would most probably be the future of Hummer with a an H4T styled like that original H3 P/U.
Jacquelyne "Bebe" Theisen
Dear Mr. Walsh,
I am a Hummer owner. I purchased my H3 in June of 2005. I have over 77,000 miles; we have been through The Rubicon, Fordyce Trail, many trails in Moab, UT, Washington, Oregon, Red Cone Trail in Colorado, and in the deserts and Sierras of California.
I’m sold on the HUMMER as a lifestyle. My lifestyle has completely changed in the last three years since purchasing my HUMMER. Charity events, Trail workdays, community events, and lots and lots of trail time, mean more to me than you could possibly imagine.
There is an incredible community of owners that have banded together across this country, all brought together by the HUMMER, and produce thousands of hours of volunteer service to the likes of the Red Cross, to Trail Maintenance, Toys for Tots drives, getting special kids to remote summer camps, etc.
We as owners have learned to brush off the snide comments, the multitude of single digit gestures, being confronted in parking lots, gas stations and grocery stores. We don’t care what the sheeple think of our vehicles.
The solution is simple.
Make the H4, and leave the rest alone. Add a hybrid engine here or there if you must, but keep the brand as is. It is unique, useful, fun and worthy.
You designed it as a lifestyle vehicle. We’ve been sold on the lifestyle.
Thank you,
Jacquelyne “Bebe” Theisen
BaneX
Dear Martin,
there are a few things i want to clarify.
We have a new setup in a country and are intent on importing Hummers into that country. Whilst trying to get to you guys in the USA, i have been led around in circles in the Asia Pac region.
I outline to you our plans.
We will repackage the Hummer.
We have spoken with the relevant Authorities about the following,
Hummer in Charity Work
Hummer in Disaster Relief
Hummer in Leisure and Tourism
Hummer in Sports.
We have recieved vocal agreement from authorities to bring in 300 units of the Hummer.
However,we are now stuck. We need a mandate from you empowering us to sell Hummers in the relevant country, as such we have been trying very hard to reach you but to no avail.
We are short of time, we need to show papers by mid July else the entire deal goes kaput.
In spite of the directions mentioned above, we are going to actively sell the Hummers and we already have people asking us on the price.
Our group loves the Hummers for the image of the vehicle, the capabilities, the raw ruggedness and the pure beauty of it.
Our only move in the direction at the present moment is only 2 mails sent to the GM ODC in Singapore.
We need to move fast.
We love GM and we love the HUMMERS.
Do drop me a mail if you can offer me any help in any way.
Gary Dikkers
Jim,
There are people such as you who do need Hummers to do their jobs and make a living. I don’t think anyone has ever said or thought people such as you shouldn’t have them. If I owned a ranch in Wyoming or Montana, I’d definitely want one. (Although if that was the case, I’d really prefer a military M998 Humvee.)
But let’s face it, there are an awful lot of people in this country who own them who don’t need them. They buy them to be fashionable, or unfortunately to make some kind of social statement. Those are the people who should get no respect from anyone for driving a Hummer.
I just spent several days on Long Island, and I was flat flabbergasted by the number of Hummers I saw on the road there. Why exactly does a lawyer or financial trader driving in a civilized place such as Long Island need a 4×4 urban assault vehicle, unless they are trying to make some kind of social statement?
Hard working people such as you who need them for their jobs and to provide a vital service to people in remote areas should have them. (Although as someone above mentioned, the Pinzgauer would probably do as well for your job as a Wyoming vet.)
What too many people have forgotten is that true to its military roots as AM General’s M998 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee), the Hummer can be an important tool for civilians who need to get into remote areas and do tough, important jobs. However, the Hummer should not be marketed as a fashion statement, or accessory — something of which GM has unfortunately been guilty of.
Regards,
Gary Dikkers
Toolman
Bring on the H4
Edwin
Gary above wonders what or why consumers need?
Fashion statement, absolutely.
HUMMER has gained appeal to be a fashionable brand.
Social statement, absolutely.
HUMMER is a status brand.
What exactly does a lawyer or financial trader need with a foreign luxury vehicle when he/she can have an American one instead.
Rick
Bob, If you are really serious about selling Hummer, make it a package deal. You gave us the Solstice, and If you really want the North American market to thrive, give a perspective buyer something, throw in Saturn, Saab, GMC and the Corvette. That Caddy roadster would could take the role of the ZR-1. The money spent on the new Camaro as well the Corvette super car, would have been better spent on an Alpha replacement for both a replacement for a new Soltice/Camaro/Holden Monaro, and a small Caddy to compete with the 3 Series BMW.
geo
GM must do something now and the measures may be drastic. Market share and the stock of its company is dropping faster than the titanic.
Bill Purcell
Hello Martin,
I’m ready to buy an H3 Alpha as soon as you offer one with Fuel Management and E85 (or E100) capability. Please let us know what to expect from Hummer in the future. I just bought GM stock at $13.39 and one week later it is $9.98. When I worked at the Van Nuys GM Assembly Plant in 1964, the stock was at a higher price than it is now. GM needs to be very pro-active and let people know what is going to change with their brands. GM should have a blanket policy that all gasoline powered vehicles are at least E85 capable.
Joe O'Bremski
Where is the diesels? Fuel prices are way over $4/gallon. An ethanal capable Hummer is not going to help people. A diesel H3 would get about 25MPG (just comparing to other gas vs diesel vehicles). This would push hummer out of the earth polutiong 16MPG spotlight that the greenies like to point out. Also with a diesel you allow people to runs a larger variety of fuels from: vegitable oil (free), biodiesel ($1/gallon), waste ATF (free), diesel ($4.85/gallon)etc… Ethanol (@ $3.60/gallon) seems to be keeping pace with regular gasoline and just keeps going up.
We needs diesels!
tony morris
HUMMER H3 owner since January 08. I’ve wanted one for years and finally able to make the purchase. The HUMMER Brand is highly respected and it would be a mistake to bury the name. My H3 gets 16 MPG in the city and is no more expensive to operate with $4 per gallon gas than many of my neighbors Land Rovers, Escalades, and X5’s. The H3 is a high quality, well respected American Icon and SHOULD NOT BE RETIRED!
Jay G.
The H3T should have been built as the concept small two door and fully capable off road. The H4/HX needs to be in production ASAP. E85/E100 or any variation is useless if the nearest station is 200 miles or more away. Diesel/Bio-diesel is the way to go, until fuel cells take off. Anyone remember the H2H? If I’m not mistaken I think it was the first hydrogen powered SUV. I implore GM not to take the easy way out with HUMMER. There is still a lot of potential left in the brand.
KokomoKid
HUMMER should never have existed, and should be dropped immediately. The H2 is overweight, and has about half as much interior room as it should have for its weight. Also, it has three-foot-high bumpers designed more for killing people in other vehicles than anything else. GM needs to put their major efforts into Chevy and Cadillac, both truly iconic brands. Then, they need to get serious about making Saturn a major player in the “mass market Eurocar” business. They need to sell more rebadged Opels, including diesels, and they need to vastly increase their dealer presence.
Mark H.
I would love to see GM keep Hummer and make a H3 EV. Take two Volt drive motors to make an H3 that is electric. It would be awsome off road, total torque all the time. Then when you are camping you would not need a Generator. Also rock crawling would be awsome and quite. Going slow over rocks and not reving an engine. Do an E-Rev H3 and you get great gas mileage, better enviromental presence and great off-roading.
James
Hummers are ridiculous vehicles for the civilian market and are one of the reasons why your once-great company is going bankrupt. And deservedly so as you kept pushing vehicles like the Hummers.
Trucking Dude
A big thumbs up for Hummer and GM!!!
Sameer
Hummer - the brand itself has great potential !! GM can actually make money with it by discounting it to a low-end trim & material cost reductions & reducing Weight ( Reduction of Engine power, reduction thickness of Sheet metal panels, reduce the unnecessary legal parts not required for certain countries ) as much as possible from the vehicle keeping the basic identity only and selling it as low cost SUV in the GLOBAL Market including Emerging markets like South Africa, India, China, thailand, Uzbek, Russia , Brazil etc. That’s what exactly any thrifty Emerging market vehicle manufacturer will probably do after acquiring Hummer brand from GM stable. So let’s Keep Hummer ALIVE in GM world !!
sws56
Man Oh Man!!! GM, go ahead and panic! That’s right, go ahead and panic! I know, your emotions are getting the best of yuh aren’t they?
GM, Instead of running from the fuel crisis/ liberals/green piece eco idiots, Why not embrace the challenge? Why not cut the crap in your “marketing/engineering” board rooms and get out and talk with your customers and I mean the end user not a dealer!
GM Hummer engineers get to work and give us a Hummer H2, H3 etc that will shut the liberals/green piece eco idiots up! If we can put a man on the moon 40 years ago, you can give us Hummers that silence the critics and once again motivate the weak to be strong and return to hummer with confidence! I swear every person I have met that has owned a Hummer would not give it up! The Hummer brand is still in the infant stages as a whole, why bail now? Geeez,
I am 52 years old, have owned many vehicles personally and corporately since I was 16, and with out question my 2005 Hummer H2 SUT is the best vehicle I have ever owned hands down. I could give a crap what the critics think or say negatively about Hummers. Hummer critics are those who can’t afford one or have never owned any thing bigger than a lawn mower.
GM wake up and make a stand! When times get tough you don’t bail!!! What the hell is wrong with you guys? I can’t believe the one exciting “NEW” brand that GM has marketed and branded in years to be “American” unique in every way, wants to unload it. To bail on your dealers and customers because you can’t figure an engineering way out of the situation is lame and just plain wrong.
So you want to sell it to the Russians, Chinese, or Indians? What are you serious? You guys are investor scared, I’m not sure you really know who your investors are!
I have been reading the blogs and the Pro Hummer blogs/fans are right in every way. Most of the blogs have very good advice and suggestions for improvements to existing Hummer models. GM, Read the blogs from the Hummer fans, especially the owners, they are very informative and innovative in everyway.
If you/GM would take these blogged ideas seriously, raise the capital, use it to build hummers with the same current quality, reliability and with improved efficiency performance, you will regain the numbers you are looking for. Remember, Hummer is a unique niche brand that will always bring back repeat customers.
Steve F
Mr. Walsh,
I believe that the constant talk of selling the Hummer brand has been one of your biggest enemies. I for one would like to buy a new H3 , but the uncertainty of the line is reallyy pushing me to another brand. What would happen to the warranty?parts? service?
As other posters have stated the Hummer line should be rolled into GMC or Chevy. There will be plenty of room if you can get rid of Trailblazer/Envoy and Equinox.
Also where is all of the tech from the other brands? Flexfuel, active fuel management……..
Finally, get back to what the truck is about. Who cares about luxury. H1’s status was a go anywhere, do anything vehicle. Instead of putting in leather and monsoon sound make the truck rugged and basic - off road packages with cloth seats and removable carpet. You don’t see leather in a Wrangler.
I would hope you resolve these issues with the brand soon so that I can buy a new all American H3.
Thanks!
A P Wren
HUMMER epitomises everything that’s wrong with the American auto industry. They’re crudely engineered, badly packaged and vulgar beyond belief. Other vehicles can make articulate statements about their owners; HUMMER’s vocabulary consists solely of four-letter words.
Brits like myself look at these vehicles, their preening owners and their macho histronics with bemused contempt.
If you’re desperate for a modern, sexy and relevant 4×4 go check out the Land Rover LRX.
Tony T
Have you thought about getting rid of GMC and replacing it with Hummer? It’s CRAZY but it just might work: The Yukon & Yukon XL can be H2 & H1 respectively, their pickup truck counterparts can be the H1T & H2T, and the Canyon can just be the H3 line as it already have. Acadia? HX! Savana? How about Havana (A nice Cuban name that starts with an “H”) GMC could use new styling and a new name: how about the Hummer name and Hummer styling. And that’s how the strategic review of Hummer can be handled!
H1: Yukon XL: facelift to Hummer face
H1T: Sierra HD: facelift to Hummer face
H2: Yukon: facelift to Hummer face
H2T: Sierra 1500
H3: Just keep the H3
H3T: Canyon: Just use current H3T
HX: Acadia: Change name and styling
Havana: Savana: Change name and styling
And voila!!!…a mightier GM with bargain Hummer prices & a tougher brand portfolio!!!