Hummer to close
Thread started by
Gern at 02.24.10 - 1:05 pm
I say it couldn't happen to a nicer SUV!
Hummer to close after collapse of Chinese deal
By Chris Isidore, senior writerFebruary 24, 2010: 3:42 PM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- General Motors' deal to sell its Hummer brand to a Chinese automaker fell through Wednesday and the company said it now plans to shut down the brand.
GM did not give any details about why the agreement to sell Hummer to Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co. Ltd. could not be completed, saying only that it was disappointed it was unable to close the deal.
The large SUV brand is based on the Humvee military vehicle. It was always a niche vehicle but its image and sales were hit particularly hard by rising gasoline prices earlier this decade. Last year, GM only sold 9.046 Hummers, down 67% from 2008.
Hummer is the third brand that GM is being forced to shut down as part of its bankruptcy reorganization last year. A deal to fell Saturn fell through and GM is also closing the Pontiac brand, which it never attempted to sell.
Chinese automakers have shown interest in buying established western brands as companies there strive to become more global players. Geely is in the process of buying the Volvo brand from Ford Motor (F, Fortune 500) and Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings Co. bought the rights and technology to build some Saab models in China from GM.
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The Diesel models were superb, and used military versions are always the shit.
But, then they really fucked it up when they decided to introduce a Gasoline-only version built on a Tahoe chassis.
All bark and no bite.
bentstrider02.24.10 - 1:19 pm
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Now what are all the D bags, dildoes and poets gonna drive???
Prius?
BICYKILLER02.24.10 - 4:24 pm
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superb for what? there only use was carrying lots of shit offroad in the military. otherwise you just have a huge gas guzzling diesel that tops out at 55mph and is a terrible civilian off-road vehicle because of its size.
larsenf responding to a
comment by bentstrider
02.24.10 - 5:41 pm
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Not if you remove the governor, and aside from that, it could be utilized as a regular pickup truck for hauling shit like garbage and home-improvement supplies.
To me it's just another tool adept at getting the basic job done.
But, would I take this thing rock-crawling? No.
Other than that, are you suggesting that we gather a task force and forcefully confiscate all Humvees and related products for immediate smelting?
I'd hate to be the director of that enforcement-arm.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by larsenf
02.24.10 - 6:18 pm
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Sadly i remember this, they were supposed too make it a lil better and slightly efficient. They chinese had the proper diesel motor for the hummer for the H2 and H3 which it failed too have. A proper diesel engine and some weight reduction would have done wonders for the big bear box beast. Especially in the mpg range. But the deal went sour becuase of some bargining that just didnt work out. GM needed some tech they didnt have, but at the same time the china company wanted some designs from GM. Which im sure they didnt want too give up. Rather financial or political im sad too see the Hummer go. Because by 2013 they were supposed too have a new line up of the H3 with a better more efficient and capable grocery 4x4 mud slinging bear box. Fueled by a 4.2 liter diesel engine, not sure if it was gonna be turbo or not but thats the word i got a couple months back.
easyterror02.24.10 - 8:47 pm
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I got to joy ride one of those and it was a disapointment. It went up crubs really good though!
rev106 responding to a
comment by Girl Power
02.26.10 - 9:32 am
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Larsen, for what's it worth, I spoke too soon.
It appears that the USMC itself has been utilizing other vehicles outside the HMMWV.
For starters, Mercedes G-series and others that are small enough to fit on CH-53 Sea Stallions.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by larsenf
02.26.10 - 11:00 am
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WHAT? No way ... It wasn't the Hummer it was the driver ...
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by rev106
02.26.10 - 1:47 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
Good riddance. 
L.A.'s deputy mayor for transportation, Jaime de la Vega drives a Hummer.