Goodbye Hummer H1

**the_wildthing** · May 13th, 2006 03:47 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060512/...e/goodbye_h1_2

From Yahoo News:

DETROIT - The 2006 model year will be the last for the Hummer H1, the hulking, gas-guzzling status symbol that has attracted celebrities and off-road enthusiasts but has drawn the ire of environmentalists.
General Motors Corp. announced plans Friday for the H1, which is the foundation for the automaker's Hummer brand. Based on the military's Humvee, the about 12,000 put on the road since 1992 defined the Hummer name.

"It's a reflection of where we're going with the Hummer brand," Hummer general manager Martin Walsh said of the decision. "The Hummer DNA still resides in the Humvee. ... It will always be the core from where we come."

GM expects the last H1s to be built next month.

Walsh said Hummer plans to focus on models with broader appeal instead of the niche-market H1. Since taking over the Hummer name in 2000, GM has introduced the still hefty H2 and a midsize H3 sport utility vehicle.

The H1 gets about 10 miles per gallon, but Walsh said rising gas prices didn't factor into GM's decision. He noted that H1 buyers typically have been less sensitive about gas prices than most other drivers.

Auto analyst Erich Merkle with the Grand Rapids consulting company IRN Inc. said the decision fits with steps GM has taken to bring the Hummer brand to more mainstream drivers with the H2 and H3.

"They're going to continue moving Hummer in that direction," Merkle said. "It's a great brand. There is a lot that can be done with that in terms of leveraging its ruggedness and toughness."

Merkle added that the kind of drivers who buy the H1 don't worry about things like gas prices.

"It's really one of those over-the-top vehicles," Merkle said. "It doesn't really have much of a place in everyday society. You can't put it in the parking ramps. Parking spaces can't accommodate it."

The H1 attracted well-heeled drivers looking for a military-style vehicle with an intimidating stance. For the 2006 model year, the H1 was offered as a high-performance H1 Alpha that costs about $130,000 to $140,000.

The vehicle first was marketed to the public as the Hummer in 1992 by AM General, which also makes the military version. Under a 1999 deal, GM bought marketing rights to the Hummer name and called the vehicle the Hummer H1.

Hummers often have been associated with celebrities who owned them, such as actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. California's governor was AM General's first civilian customer, buying a custom-made conversion of the military model as well as civilian production models.

Last year, GM sold 374 H1s, down 16 percent from 447 in 2004.

AM General, which builds the H1, H2 and Humvee in Mishawaka, Ind., said in a statement that it doesn't plan to cut any jobs as a result of the decision. GM said workers there were expected to be shifted to military production.

So if you guys are planning to get one, better get one soon.

**nugundam93** · May 13th, 2006 10:10 PM

or...get it thru the army. :D

**OTEP** · May 13th, 2006 10:17 PM

At least the army version is still in production. hehehe. Time to contact Alana Motors Corp.

**AG4** · May 13th, 2006 11:37 PM

From a civilian point of view the H1 is the least practical of all Hummers, its their largest, heaviest model but can only seat 4 people.
It wasn't really meant for civilian use.

On the brigher side the smallest Hummer, the H3 is expected to have a diesel option in the near future.

The mid-size H3(left) and the larger H2(right), which will now be Hummer's flagship model after the civilian H1 is discontunued.

**the_wildthing** · May 14th, 2006 08:53 AM

I'm sure the 374 who bought last year didn't buy it for the practicality...

**al_motor** · May 14th, 2006 09:04 AM

so much for 30 inch bling bling rims... hehehe.

**AG4** · May 14th, 2006 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by the_wildthing

I'm sure the 374 who bought last year didn't buy it for the practicality...

True, and the lack of practicality is the main reason why the demand for the H1 has been declining.

**kimpOy** · May 14th, 2006 11:18 AM

well according to their Slogan...the H1 is not for Everyone

**AG4** · May 14th, 2006 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by kimpOy

well according to their Slogan...the H1 is not for Everyone

Yes, but as the demand goes down, "Not for Everyone" might become "no One".

On the other hand Mercedes's Military derived G-class "Geländewagen" was given a 4 year extension(until 2010) because of the strong demand for this old boxy off-roader.