What Should GM Do With Hummer?

[Snafu_SS]

Why can't it be a REAL off road brand...focus just on the strong off road trucks

[jbernie]

I have no problem with the brand staying around, the biggest image issue was always the H2. Keep it as a niche player, maybe competing against Jeep. Use hrybrid tech, use lighter weight bodies, diesels etc.

[CadiEldo67]

Originally Posted by Hitman1970

Right, but you're going to have to close down all 71 stand alone Hummer stores too. Recommend moving the H3 and H3T to the BPG outlets as well.

That would sound great, "__________ Pontiac Buick GMC Hummer". I think that the Hummer brand should be America's Landrover. The SUV's at Cadillac should migrate to Hummer, and Cadillac would have a car/wagon/crossover lineup, and Hummer could be the upscale brand sold right along side it. Well, let me rephrase, I just glanced at the above post and now think that Hummer should span from $23K-$75K. The lower priced models go after Jeep and possibly Subaru. These are the models that while may dilute the Hummer brand slightly (as far as pricing) but would also give the brand more awareness among the middle class. The models that migrated from Cadillac would go more after Landrover and would have excellent technologies, like Landrover. Hummer would be a better global brand with a lineup like this.

[Ming]

HUMMER's small electric car caught testing!



But seriously, I'm sure that the brand could be milked with more products like this one, laptops, perfume or whatever else they sell with the HUMMER name plastered on it.

Should be a good sale for a company willing to take it. Maybe the Chinese who make the toy above.

[Gagarin]

Slap three big red letters on it...

now THAT's professional grade!

[Saturn69]

Originally Posted by Gagarin

Slap three big red letters on it...

DUD?

[Black Rabbit]

People will always need good off road vehicles, stand alone dealers on the other hand.. not so necessary. A new fuel efficient off road capable, 5000lb tow rated truck is needed to replace the canyon and twin, why not build a nice SUV off of it too and give it to chevy, GMC, and hummer. The hummer one would just be more expensive with a few high end off road features. Toyota still manages to sell a ton of land cruisers, just not in the US.

There's no reason to kill a storied brand.. just limit advertising to truck shows and magazines.

[Exploder]

In fact, I think Hummer would really only need two vehicles, a full-to-mid-size SUV and small off-roader as I mentioned earlier in this thread.

On the other hand I really have to wonder about the stigma attached to Hummer. Because apparently, no one buys Land Rovers for the same reason as they buy Hummers...

[dederer]

The only reason GM would sell hummer would be to raise cash. The brand is iconic, but GM knows it will need cash to change to a more environmentally image. I don't know who would be interested but we'll see.

[LAMRONH]

Originally Posted by SierraGS

I agree with the MBA part, absolutely the main problem with all U.S. based companies.

Like the Dune Buggy part (see my post #58 above) sorry I did not read through the posts before I made mine or I would not have duplicated the idea.

The Bike and outdoor products idea is great!

Sell Hummer brand accessories that can be used while off-road (in your Hummer) or owners of other SUV's can buy them, as could beach dwellers for cruising the beaches and boardwalks.

And while I didn't say it in previous posts, I agree wholeheartedly with others who post that GM needs smaller, more fuel-efficient Hummahs.
Something on the order of Jeep's old CJ5 (...with 4-wheel drive, and Smokey on my tail...but that's another story, and another song).
A four-passenger diesel or gasoline turbo 4 with stump pulling torque and highway MPG of 30 or better would sell.

GM should partner with the Chinese and build a refinerly in China to supply diesel at Hummer-Beijing gas and propane stations in the USA.

IMHO the sky is the limit with the Hummer brand.
It may, unfortunately, take people from a far hungrier nation that's less piled-on with top-heavy, candy-assed, meeting-addled bureaucracy and structure than ours to run with the possibilities.

Originally Posted by Ming

HUMMER's small electric car caught testing!



But seriously, I'm sure that the brand could be milked with more products like this one, laptops, perfume or whatever else they sell with the HUMMER name plastered on it.

Should be a good sale for a company willing to take it. Maybe the Chinese who make the toy above.

This item is along the lines of what I was thinking.
Next: Hummer golf carts.
After that: Hummer electric town runabouts.
After that: Hummer electric small boats (canoe or row boat size) with wafer solar-panel canopies that will recharge while cruising.
After that:

[gardnet1]

If Hummer is kept, H2 must go. Just sell varients of the H3, H4 and a future Jeep Eagle type crossover. Go to aluminum frames and cut weight where possible. Mild & two mode Hybrids and plug-in versions.

I would even consider 2WD versions for the true boulevard cruisers as they would get better mileage and sell for less. I mean toyoduh gets away with it and their prerunners right?

[ksr]

Keep it. The brand itself is strong. Phase out the H2, which won't be hard considering the direction of sales. Keep the H3. Bring out the H4 and bring out more fuel efficient vehicles but keep the Hummer image and styling.

[goggles pizano]

This is unbelievable a few years back Gm is touting the Hummer (large profit vehicle)and getting the dealer body to build stand alone stores now they throw up I mean out that they could sell it. It seems as if they do not know what they are doing. I think they should keep it and improve it.

[caddyman23]

Sell it off and/or (if financially feasible), shut it down.

None of the options above - as nifty as many sound - think past the next design cycle. I doubt anybody here would argue the price of fuel will continue to rise in coming years/decades. The era of SUVs/full-size trucks-as-commuters is arguably over forever; now and until perhaps decades in the future, is not time to waste even ONE dollar on a brand or model predicated on an image of conspicuous consumption or environmental degredation. Want an affordable Jeep-esque competitor? It should have a four-banger or hybrid powerplant and be sold through GMC. Need a dedicated vehicle for towing or hauling your Brady Bunch? Your options should/could lay with Chevy/GMC/Buick where a suitable wagon or CUV awaits.

Going forward, body-on-frame, 3+ ton, lifted trucks are (and should always be) for utilitarian purposes only - not for image, not for luxury.

[ghughes]

Come on - they already killed the brand when they stopped selling its raison d'etre -H1