Hummer Guy

A new online business may be the first auction site where the LOWEST bidder wins. A company called Limbo auctions items off for the lowest bid. If two people text message the same number, they knock each other out. The object is to find a number that no one else chooses and it has to be the lowest number. The biggest prize recently was a Hummer H3 that a woman bought for only $36.65! Some of the other items are a Video IPOD for 95 cents, and a plasma HDTV for $5.86. Interesting marketing concept — time will tell if this takes off.

While filming for the upcoming movie, “Evan Almighty”, actor Steve Carell sprained his ankle while getting out of a Hummer. He’s said to be doing fine, and filming will not be held up. I normally don’t post this kinda thing, but I like “The Office” and I thought it was amusing. Ha!

The H3 is going to debut soon with some exciting changes for ‘07. The engine is getting a boost to 242 HP and 242 Torque — this will definitely increase the ‘oomph’ factor. The exterior colors will change slightly. The Green H3 color has been unavailable for some time, but for 2007, Superior Blue will be replaced with Imperial Blue. The H3X will come in all H3 colors, and two exclusive colors: Sonoma Red Metallic and Desert Oranage Metallic (Pictured above). One change that we’ll have to wait for ‘08 for will be the Alpha version on the H3X. Here is a breakdown of the H3X extras:

H3X Unique content

-18” tires
-18” Chrome wheels with center cap
-Body color, hard plastic spare tire cover with chrome accent
-Chrome squared wrap-around brush-guard
-Embroidered headrests with “H3”

Additional Package content

-Body color grill
-Chrome package including bright crossbows
-Chrome fuel filler door
-Chrome tubular assist steps
-Leather interior required

Well the rumors were correct. GM announced Friday that they will no longer produce the Hummer H1, built by AM General in Mishawaka, IN. GM will continue to sell the H2 and H3 SUVs that accounted for more than 99% of Hummer’s sales last year. H1 production should end in June. What does this mean for people who want to buy and H1? Don’t expect to get ‘close-out’ pricing on an H1 anytime soon. A rare niche-vehicle like this will most likely sell for sticker price or higher after the recent announcement.

Did geigercars really produce a 700 HP Hummer H2? Probably. Was it for a Texas county sheriff? Probably not. Online discussion points out that 1) Tax payers (even in Texas!) wouldn’t go for such an expense — look at those wheels! 2) There’s no name of the county on the entire vehicle — have you ever seen a police car without the name of the town or county? 3) The front doors look like they have a white magnet on them, similar to the camouflage magnets hunters use on their H2s to protect from branch scrapes. Overall a cool/fast truck, but as the reality of it being buzzing around Texas, I’m not so sure…

It is still anyone’s guess what changes will take place in late 2007 with the release of the 2008 Hummer H2, but GM suggests that the engine and interior will have some changes. Expect to see some changes in the dash and cargo area, and an increase in engine size — the trick will be to see how Hummer does this without sacrificing gas mileage. Most likely, they will use a 6-speed transmission, since General Motors Vice Chairman Robert Lutz says the automaker has “plans to significantly increase the number of vehicles equipped with six-speed transmissions.”

Hummer sales have nearly tripled from a year ago, despite $3-a-gallon gas. The Baltimore Business Journal says people are buying Hummers precisely because of high gas prices — buyers want the world to know they can afford the gas. Another interesting note on vehicle sales: One out of every four vehicles purchased from January to March 2006 had an eight-cylinder engine, according to a study by J.D. Power and Associates.

General Motors Corp. presented Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush with the keys to two Hummer H2 sport utility vehicles at the start of the NFL Draft this past weekend.

Bush will be allowed to drive the vehicles for a year.

GM had a similar exclusive deal with the NFL during the Super Bowl. At that game, the company presented MVP Hines Ward with a 2007 Cadillac Escalade SUV.