Hummer Guy

Many online forum and blog-goers often ask, “Does anyone in Detroit actually read any comments by actual owners online?” Well that question was answered recently on GM’s Fastlane Blog when Ed Welborn, the VP of Global Design at GM, recently took time to thank everyone for their comments on a release about Cadillac and Hummer production in South Africa. The story spawned new debate and suggestions for making the Hummer more appealing in the global market. Some voiced concern over making the interiors more colorful. Others had issues with the environmental aspects of Hummer vehicles, which was handled very well by Welborn. I only recently found out how interested in off-roading many South Africans are — its hugely popular and almost a modern pastime. So, feel free to leave some comments on the site — you never know who may be taking them into account!

The Showdown in the Desert is normally a grueling 89 one-mile laps in the Las Vegas desert, but torrential downpours forced race officials to adopt a “Grand Prix” style finish whereby every classes’ last lap would occur once the first overall finisher crossed the finish line. It forced all the teams to race each lap as though it were their last — and it paid off for Team Hummer. Rod Hall (Driver and Owner of Team Hummer) brought the Team HUMMER H3 across the finish line first in its class, after 5:16:14 hours of intense racing and nearly 45-minutes faster than the nearest mini-stock SUV competitor. Hall’s victory in the 178-mile race marked the 15th consecutive race in which the team has placed a HUMMER on the podium.

I’m not sure why Don Hammonds of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently reviewed a 2006 Hummer H3 when the 2007s made their debut 3 months ago — but hey, good press is good press — even if it is a little out-dated! From the article: “By the way, don’t expect anything but the best road manners from the H3. Despite its upright posture and imposing profile, I always felt stable and secure driving it.”

GM always brings an impressive lineup of vehicles to the SEMA Show in Las Vegas — and 2006 is no different. This year they’ll be bringing two never before seen options on a Hummer H3: E85 Ethanol Capability, and a canvas top Hummer H3. The E85 H3 could be an interesting look into what GM has planned for the future of that vehicle – with numerous other ethanol vehicles, GM surely has the technology to make the switch to an E85-friendly engine. We saw a version of the “H3 Street” at last year’s show that had many of the options on the current H3 limited edition “H3X” – however that vehicle also had a large retractable sunroof. I wonder if this year’s truck will be similar or have an even larger opening – maybe paving the way for the hinted at soft-top Hummer H4? Probably not – but its fun to dream sometimes…

Humvees are made to blend into the environment they’ll be working in. I remember in the early 90’s seeing the stock-piled Humvees at the plant go from feilds of green camo to a uniform desert sand color. (Real desert sand, not GM’s H2 color ‘desert sand’ - which was greenish?) Now the military is going to a more technical approach to camouflage with digital camo. The Highet Kräcker Design company chose to take on the challenge of creating one of the first digital camo Humvees. After 4 weeks and a lot of hard work - their project paid off. The vehicle is used by the N.C. Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command Center. The Humvee has already gotten so much acclaim they’ve sent 3 more to be produced - and other states are calling about the unique pattern and how they can get their hands on it. Nice job by the folks at the Kracker group who took on the difficult project to start with — looks like it may pay off!

CNN recently announced its plans to put their recently restored Hummer on the auction block — and give the proceeds to the Fisher House Foundation — a group that builds homes for families of hospitalized military personnel. The vehicle restoration was documented and filmed by the TLC program Overhaulin‘ and plans to air mid-November (see story below). “We are delighted to learn of CNN’s efforts to honor America’s heroes – its service men and women wounded in the global war on terrorism,” Fisher House Foundation chairman Ken Fisher said. “The visibility that will result from this initiative will help Americans understand the selfless sacrifices of the men and women who risk their lives to defend and protect us.”

Kudos to CNN for their effort to help military families - in a cool way too!

Want to bid? Here is a link to the auction house — they’re planning on a January 20th auction.
More from CNN:
CNN purchased the Hummer in 2002 from the King Hummer dealership in Kuwait. Network producers, video journalists and correspondents used the vehicle when they were embedded with the First Battalion, 7th Marines in the war in Iraq in 2003. The vehicle came under heavy fire near Baghdad in April 2003 as Iraqis celebrated the arrival of coalition forces in Baghdad.

This summer, Overhaulin’ took the Hummer to the show’s workshop in Irvine, Calif. Crews overhauled the Hummer’s engine and body and installed an extensive entertainment system that includes a DVD player, four LCD monitors and a state-of-the-art sound system. Airbrush artists Dru Blaier, Mickey Harris and Mike Lavallee painted images of journalists and military men and women onto the vehicle as a tribute to those who served during the war in Iraq or covered the war.

The Overhaulin’ program featuring the Hummer will premiere on TLC on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).

GM has invested in building a manufacturing plant for Hummers in South Africa for Export to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia — the plant is now ready to start production. GM had been concentrating on building the Hummer brand in North America, but will now try to tap into the world market. Last year GM announced a US$100 million investment in its South African operations to fast track the production of the first batch of the autos. The investment included the expansion of the Struandale plant in the Eastern Cape. The vehicles produced will be identical to the US-counterparts, except for the right-hand drive setup.

To travel the rough terrain in the Middle East, CNN has two Hummers that transport cameramen and correspondents to war-torn areas. The vehicles were purchased in Kuwait a few years back, and now after several tours of duty, one of the Hummers has been selected to be renovated on TLC’s hit show Overhaulin’. The show will air on TLC on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 9 p.m Eastern time. The truck dubbed Warrior One will then go on a national tour of military bases and other sites before it is auctioned off for charity.

Unfortunately, the Humvee is not light and could be stronger when faced with road-side bombs and RPGs. Thus, the military is looking for the next mode of transportation where these situations are common. The Pentagon is calling for a Humvee that is, “30-40% lighter, more fuel efficient and with better armor to protect our troops.” International and Lockheed Martin are in the running to produce what the Pentagon is looking for. However, as stated in earlier reports, the Humvee isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

This story is a little old, but an interesting read. A 15-year-old girl runs away and takes a local Hummer as her get-away car. The police find it using OnStar’s tracking device — “When an officer parked his cruiser behind the Hummer…he saw two teenage girls inside. They put the car in reverse, and sped backward until they hit his cruiser.

The Hummer left tire tracks on the car as it drove on top of it, police said. Then it accelerated forward and drove away.

Another police cruiser pulled in front of the Hummer in an alley at 50th Ave and 9th Street N. Officer Mike Stano saw the passenger get out, police said.

Then, police say, Jacobs drove the Hummer into his cruiser, peeling away the roof and smashing the engine as she drove on top of the car. Then, the Hummer toppled and fell on its passenger side.”

You can check out the complete story here.