All new HUMMERs are equipped with OnStar, so when I heard about an announcement in Dallas about some new features and some entertainment – I signed up. Just like the event, this post is news first, entertainment second.
If you’ve ever tried to enter a destination into your GM navigation unit while driving down the road, you’ve no doubt encountered the built-in safety feature that doesn’t allow you to plug in an address unless the vehicle is stopped. Now, OnStar has introduced new technology that allows an advisor to enter in a destination for you while driving called Destination Download. After sensing your location, the navigation selects an appropriate route to your destination. But what if that route has long term construction or heavy traffic? OnStar has you covered there too. Teaming with XM’s NavTraffic service, OnStar will soon be able to find alternate routes around trouble spots and download that info to your navigation. For now, it’s only available in selected large cities, but more disappointing to some HUMMER owners is the fact it’s only going to be available on the H2. HUMMER H3 owners will still need to pull into the creepy gas station w/ paper-bag drinking bums to enter in a navigation destination.
OnStar has been running a pilot program with MapQuest that allows you to plan a route online, then access it from you vehicle later. The pilot must have gone well, since it will be available to all turn-by-turn navigation capable vehicles soon. OnStar is working to integrate this program with the previously mentioned Destination Download service.
XM Radio helped supply the entertainment for the event, which was up-and-coming artist Crystal Shawanda. A mix between rock, blues, and country, Shawanda delivered a soulful performance with both original songs and covers. More often than not it seems that artists who use covers use them because they don’t have great tunes of their own. Such is not the case with Shawanda – I found myself liking the covers, but loving her originals, especially the upbeat bluesy rock songs. There’s no album yet, but it sounds like one is on the way.
Between the E85/Ethanol HUMMER announcement last week and the Dallas Auto Show opening yesterday, we’ve gotten a few tidbits on where HUMMER is going with particular models. Let’s break it down:
2009 HUMMER H3T – HUMMER general manager Martin Walsh introduced the H3T to Texas which will be an important market for the newest HUMMER. Pickup trucks in general do well in the Lone Star State, but last year almost 12 percent of all HUMMER sales were in Texas – a good starting point for the H3T. We found out that the H3T will be the first to offer HUMMER’s new backup camera system (check out the current version here), in which the monitor is actually behind the glass of the rearview mirror. I’ve seen some systems that have tried that integration, but it leaves a large void in the mirror, or the mirror is very dark. I had to ask to clarify the H3T on display was equipped with it since it was impossible to tell – nice! Some of the suppliers that worked with HUMMER to create over 125 officially licensed accessories were also announced. They include SnugTop, Defenderworx, Truck Vault, MileMarker, Bushwaker, Boomerang, and DiamondBack Truck Covers. Also notable, the 2009 HUMMER H3T will be Bluetooth capable.
2009 HUMMER H2 – Speaking of Bluetooth, the 2009 H2 will also be ‘hands-free’ enabled with the addition of Bluetooth integration. Cold weather drivers will be happy with the addition of a heated steering wheel, and we also got confirmation that rear bucket seats will be available for the first time in the 2009 H2 model – no more folding the seats to get into the third row!
The Dallas Auto Show starts tomorrow, and our day is packed. First we’re off to a HUMMER H3T event, followed by a press conference where more details of the H3T will be announced. Later in the day it’s off to Gilley’s in Dallas for another announcement, this one from OnStar. More details to come – stay tuned!
This morning, we were on hand when HUMMER announced their 2009 H2 lineup will be E85-capable, helping make good on their commitment to offer biofuel powertrains in every model they build by the end of 2010. Alternative fuels can be tricky with a brand like HUMMER due to their strict off-road requirements, but the new E85 capable vehicles are showing that HUMMER is committed finding solutions. “A Hummer’s off-road capability and care for the environment are in no way mutually exclusive. This is simply one more step in our effort to promote responsible adventure,” said HUMMER’s General Manager Martin Walsh.
E85 consists of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, and is a cleaner-burning, less polluting fuel source. Right now ethanol is primarily made from corn, but there are several promising scientific endeavors underway to create ethanol from non food-based sources. GM has partnered with Coskata, one of the companies leading cellulosic ethanol research and production.
The 2009 E85 HUMMER H2 announcement came as Classic Chevrolet/HUMMER opened the first dealership-owned E85 fuel station in the country. To help raise awareness for the new pumps and E85 technology, General Motors sponsored a two-hour event in which flex-fuel customers could fill up at 85 cents a gallon, compared to the normal E85 price of $2.74 per gallon.
“There’s no telling where this might lead,” said Larry Burns, GM vice president of Research & Development and Strategic Planning. “We have to keep looking for ways to improve the overall ownership experience of our customers.”
At a time when General Motors is preaching about ‘going green’ you don’t except one of the Vice Presidents of the company to say that global warming is a crock. The always outspoken Bob Lutz has once again undoubtedly sent the PR crew at General Motors into a frenzy after comments he made at a lunch in the DFW area with Dallas-based D Magazine: Global warming is a “total crock of ****.”
So why then is GM motivated to go green, and have all HUMMER’s run on biofuels by 2010? While not responding to HUMMERs in particular, Lutz made his viewpoint on global warming known: “I’m a skeptic, not a denier. Having said that, my opinion doesn’t matter…I’m motivated more by the desire to replace imported oil than by the CO2 (argument).”
The reduction of foreign oil is top of mind for this ex-marine turned GM top dog – I wonder what the official response will be? We’ll let you know!
Normally the only time I anything from the show Walker Texas Ranger is when Conan O’Brien pulls his clip lever. However, I found this clip of a HUMMER H3 chasing down a motorbike from the show pretty amusing. Just like Conan’s clips, I don’t really have much background into what’s going on in the show – but who needs it? Enjoy!
We know that HUMMERs are safe vehicles, they do after all have a 5 star frontal crash rating, the highest any vehicle can receive. Reinforced doors, standard roof rail air bags, low glass ratio, and being built to take a beating all play a role in keeping occupants of the HUMMER H3 safe. The incredible safety benefits were realized first hand when a Sewell Hummer customer was in a 2008 HUMMER H3 loan car while their vehicle was in for service. The HUMMER H3 was struck from behind by a cement truck, then crushed underneath a semi truck. Amazingly, the vehicle’s driver and sole occupant only suffered a broken leg along with some scrapes and bruises.
We hear stories of these amazing accidents all the time – and individuals swearing they’ll never buy another vehicle because having a HUMMER saved their life. This one hit a little closer to home since it was in our backyard one of our customers. We hope this doesn’t happen to anyone, but we’re glad to see how well HUMMERs stand up in the worst scenarios.
With the SEMA show right around the corner, it’s hard not to get into the spirit of Custom Hummers! With that in mind, here are some 2008 models that have been added to the Custom Hummer page. These Hummers are showcase vehicles from Sewell Hummer of Dallas, where 2 or 3 new custom Hummers are created every month. Here are the latest:
1)The new solar flare metallic 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha, with all black moldings and bumpers painted to match; finished with a chrome brush guard, off-road lamps, chrome accessories, and 20 inch chrome wheels:
2) Also new for 2008 is the Greystone color on the Hummer H2. This vehicle is equipped with 20inch chrome wheels, and all black moldings and bumpers have been painted to match — a very polished and classy look:
3) Last but not least is my favorite, the 2008 Hummer H2 White Monotone. Again, the moldings have been painted to match – which on a white vehicle, makes a huge difference. The 22 inch wheel and tire combo is also a more aggressive look, staying true to the Hummer brand:
More customs to come – just out of the shop is a black 2008 Hummer H2 with zero chrome on it. At least there’s no chrome in the traditional sense…pictures and info coming later! Have a custom Hummer or know of one you think should be featured on the site? Drop me a line at brian (at) hummerguy.net!
The Dallas Hummer store has again wrapped a 2008 H3 to welcome in the Texas hunting season (See last year’s 2007 camo H3 here!) . This year, a ‘woodland’ camouflage wrap was chosen for more of a duck-hunting feel. In addition to the Hummer, the dealership set up a hunting boat, and numerous fake hunters throughout the showroom. One of the nice things about wrapping a Hummer H3 in camouflage is after the season is over (or after a few seasons are over!) the wrap can be removed and leave a finish that’s free from scratches and scrapes.
With off-road grille lights, super-swamper tires, fender flares, mud flaps, tail lamp & brush guards, and custom black wheels — this is the perfect vehicle to get you in and out of the woods easily and stealthily.
The camo H3 was recently featured at the Dallas Ducks Unlimited fundraiser banquet, and was under the tight watch of “Trigger” the dog and his trusty 12 gauge. We think this system of security was much far effective than ‘the club,’ and will likely catch on with hunters of all types.
Even though some of the roads are a little rough in Dallas, you have to drive a little ways to get into some good, Hummer off-road territory. We drove a little further than usual to hold an event at the beautiful Tonkaway Ranch. And it really is beautiful, just check out the picture I snapped of the sunrise and early morning fog outside our bunkhouse – what a sight! Tonkaway is a working cattle ranch of about 2400 acres that specializes in bird hunting, but holds many corporate and special events. The Dallas Hummer event was the first of its kind on the ranch, but you wouldn’t have been able to tell by the course and the superb staff.
After checking out the land a few weeks prior, we knew that it wouldn’t take much to organize our off-road excursions. However, the ranch enlisted a bulldozer operator (who owns two Hummers of his own!) to create some moguls and side slopes for good measure.
This was our first two day event with an overnight stay, allowing us more off-road time with a more intimate group. What we didn’t plan on was having so many people wanting to spend and entire weekend with us! Even though the waiting list grew and grew, we ended up with around 30 customer Hummers in all – the perfect size.
After splitting into groups, we headed out on the first of three trails. One trail encompassed a mud pit and a very intense V-ditch (the remnants of an old creek). The next had some more sandy V-ditches and some muddy areas, and the final trail had man-made moguls (see below) and the side-slope or “S” curves that really tested drivers. I’m of the thought that if half the drivers get stuck, and half of them don’t – it’s just about the right difficulty level. There were some areas that were probably a little sloppy to drive through, but it gave us a good opportunity to teach some new off-road drivers proper recovery and safety techniques.
This was also the first time we used CB Radios instead of the two-way radios we used in the past. Much improvement! We used some Cobra hand-held CB units for keeping the convoy together coming from Dallas, and out on the trail to keep in contact with the other leaders and the group. Some of the best moments on the trails were in between obstacles when the chatter between the ranch staff, dealer staff, and customers got pretty entertaining! We’ll have a more in-depth review of the Cobra hand-held CBs coming soon.
I’ve posted a few pictures along with this post, but the folks in the Sewell Marketing department did a great job compiling photos from the event with a professional photographer. You should be able to get a good idea about the event from the 1000+ pictures on the special event page. If you can’t get a good idea from that, you’ll just have to come with us next time!
E85 consists of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, and is a cleaner-burning, less polluting fuel source. Right now ethanol is primarily made from corn, but there are several promising scientific endeavors underway to create ethanol from non food-based sources. GM has 
