GM wants consumers to start looking at Hummers as trucks and SUVs that are built to do a job, instead of gas-guzzling SUVs made for the rich and hated by environmentalists everywhere. Ever since GM rolled out the Hummer H2, owners have complained of getting mean looks from their peers and finding their giant vehicles keyed in parking lots.
A survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates last year said SUV buyers are avoiding the Hummer brand more and more mostly because they believe they are gas-guzzling vehicles.
“Hummer has an image of being the big, ponderous vehicles,” says Jon Osborn, research director at J.D. Power. “Really, it gets about the same or as good gas mileage as several others. … The name Hummer connotes a much more gas-guzzling vehicle than really is on the road today.”
Hoping to get rid of some criticism, Hummer stopped production of its five-ton H1 vehicle and started offering the H2 and H3 making them lighter and a little more fuel-efficient. The EPA rates the Hummer H3 at 14mpg, comparable to the Chevrolet Suburban which gets 16mpg and is powered by the same 5.3 liter engine. Future Hummer commercials will now pitch a more ‘Built Ford Tough’ style campaign where GM will try to persuade buyers that a Hummer to can be a friendly vehicle.
Mark LaNeve, vice president of sales, service and marketing for GM says he’d love for consumers to begin thinking of the Hummer vehicles as tools to get a job done. “No one criticizes a bulldozer for its gas mileage. That’s because it’s built to do a job.”
Hummer also showed the HX concept at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The HX Concept is an open-air, two-door off-road vehicle along with a convertible body via a pair of removable panels. Power comes from an E85 FlexFuel 3.6L SIDI V6 that produces 204 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.
Just out of curiosity - do you guys think of Hummer as the first truck when you think of getting a tough job done or the first when you want to show off some bling-bling?
Andrus Ciprian designer of Romania, presented what could be a new Hummer, he calls and HB is a possibility for the future model of small firm size, even GM. Before long it will confirm the passing of hands and a Chinese company will support the future of Hummer.
It consists of a body formed from carbon fiber and aluminum. It is available in two versions, one is equipped with a small windshield divided into three sections, and a series of cameras around the vehicle (designed for safety), and the second model is equipped with windshield classic One glance, and it is well lit, with large lights on the ceiling.
The bottom of the HB is protected by shield panels to protect the drive train, passengers rocks and other potentially dangerous objects. The motor consists of a measure of the use of biofuels V6. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
This project mix all types of uses that can be given to a vehicle of its characteristics (extreme security, off-road, etc.). And gives a nod to the future very important stylistic Hummer , which I urgently need this firm. The idea is excellent, as is its design. Ojala something very similar is true.
