Hummer GM
Hummer was a brand of trucks marketed since 1992 by AM General when it began selling
the civilian version of the M998 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV
or Hum-Vee).
In 1998 General Motors purchased the brand name and marketed three vehicles: the
original Hummer H1, based on the military High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle
(HMMWV, or Humvee), and the Hummer H2 and the Hummer H3 models that were based on
other, smaller civilian-market GM platforms.
The business viability of the Hummer brand was under review by GM management since
2008. The brand was not transferred to Motors Liquidation Company as part of the
GM bankruptcy in 2009; instead, it was retained by GM in order to investigate selling
the brand.
Chinese automaker Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company announced
in 2009 that it would acquire the Hummer brand, pending government approvals. However,
the Chinese industrial equipment maker withdrew its bid after failing to win approval
from Chinese regulators.[1] According to Reuters, the Ministry of Commerce of the
People's Republic of China rejected the deal on February 24, 2010,[2] but a spokesperson
for ministry denies that it rejected the application that has been stalled for eight
months.[3]
At the end of February 2010, General Motors announced it would begin dismantling
the Hummer brand.[4] Two days later, the automaker announced it had been approached
with new offers for the brand after the deal with Sichuan Tengzhong could not be
completed.[5]
By April 2010, any sale of the brand became unlikely as inventory was depleted and
Hummer dealerships began shutting down.[6] After filling a rental car fleet order,
the last Hummer H3 rolled off line at Shreveport on May 24
The original Hummers were first designed and built by AM General Corporation, which
was formerly AMC-Jeep's General Products division,[8] in its Mishawaka, Indiana,
assembly plant. The vehicles were created under a contract for the United States
armed forces. The first model, the Hum-Vee, was built in a variety of military-based
equipment and versions. The US$1.2 billion contract won by AM General in 1983 was
to produce 55,000 Humvees by 1985, which was later increased to 15,000 additional
units.[9]
AM General had planned to sell a civilian version of the Hum-Vee as far back as the
late 1980s. Having the same structure and most mechanical components, the civilian
Hummers were finished in automotive gloss paint, adding passenger car enhancements
such as air conditioning, sound insulation, upgraded upholstery, stereo systems,
wood trim, and convenience packages.[10] The civilian model began in part because
of the persistence of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who saw an Army convoy while filming
a movie.[11]
In 1990, two matching white Hum-Vees were driven from London to Beijing over the
rough roads of central Soviet Union. The Hummers made the trip with ease, for they
were built to drive on off-road terrain. The highlights of this journey were broadcast
in the United States on ESPN. This publicity would pale in comparison to the attention
that the Hum-Vee received for its service in Gulf War Operation: Desert Storm, the
following year. Also, a privately-owned Hum-Vee was modified into the first Snow-Vee,
including the addition of caterpillar tracks, a new rear compartment and a new engine.
This vehicle was designed for use in and just below the Arctic Circle, and the Antarctic.
In 1992, AM General began selling a civilian version of the M998 High Mobility Multipurpose
Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Hum-Vee) vehicle to the public under the brand name "Hummer
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In December 1999, AM General sold the brand name to General Motors, but continued
to manufacture the vehicles.[9] GM was responsible for the marketing and distribution
of all Hummers produced by AM General. Shortly thereafter, GM introduced two of its
own design models, the H2 and H3, and renamed the original vehicle H1. AM General
continued to build the H1 until it was discontinued in 2006,[12] and was contracted
by GM to produce the H2. The H3 was built in Shreveport, LA alongside the Chevrolet
Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups, with which it shared the GMT-355 platform (modified
and designated GMT-345).
By 2006, the Hummer began to be exported and sold through importers and distributors
in 33 countries.[13] On October 10, 2006, GM began producing the Hummer H3 at its
Port Elizabeth plant in South Africa for international markets.[13] The Hummers built
there at first were only left-hand drive, but right-hand drive versions were added
and exported to Australia and other markets.
The H2 is also assembled in Kaliningrad, Russia, by Avtotor, starting in June 2004.
The plant produces a few hundred vehicles annually, and its output is limited to
local consumption