Hummer Guy

According to a recent news report, GM is considering investing $70 million in additions to its Shreveport, LA plant. The plant currently produces the Hummer H3, GMC Canyon, and Chevy Colorado. GM was not giving any details, just saying it was a “new truck.” So I just ran some simple math: Pickup Manufacturer + Hummer H3 Manufacturer + GM being secretive = Hummer Pickup Truck to be released in near future and produced in Shreveport (if GM gets the deal they want on reduced taxes on the project). Could I be wrong? Certainly, but Shreveport is a gambling town – and my money is on the Hummer H3T.

In a recent editorial on MotorTrend.com, Frank Marcus tells about his adventures of traveling to Russia on a trip sponsored by GM. In Russia, the car ownership ratio is still less than one car to six people – but that’s quickly changing. With a growth-rate of 6% each year, Russian market is one of the fastest growing in the world. Russia is GM’s top growth market, and is expected to triple in the next few years. The article is a little lengthy, but has some humorous moments.

During Rick Wagoner’s recent address to the Motor Press Guild, GM’s Chairman and CEO announced that Hummer will be the first automotive brand to offer biofuel power trains across its entire vehicle lineup. Wagoner said this will include all current and future models, and will be in place within the next three years. This would be a big deal for any auto manufacturer, but for Hummer to make this announcement before anyone else is surprising.

For Mike Powell, life is good (and a ton of hard work!). As an entrepreneur in the insurance business, he has been able to grow his venture and at the same time grow his collection of Hummer vehicles! But growing his business wasn’t easy — and still isn’t. He can still be found working until the wee hours of the morning three or four times a week. When you don’t have time to golf, hunt, or fish in between work and home — the one thing you CAN change is what you DRIVE between work and home. He doesn’t discriminate between his H1, H2, or H3 – as long as they’re red and polished! Right now he is the proud owner of a hard-top Hummer H1 with a truck bed, a SUV version of H2, and the latest Hummer model, the H3.

The General Motors West Coast Advanced Design Studio has won the LA Auto Show Design Challenge for the second year in a row. This year’s winner is the HUMMER 02 – a concept vehicle that not only conserves energy, it also provides a benefit to the environment – more O2 output. The Hummer O2 features an algae-filled body that uses photosynthesis to change carbon dioxide into oxygen, although it is technically a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.