GM wants to exert more control over sales of the new Hummer, discouraging markups over and discounts from MSRP and handing out inventory in response to customer orders, reports
Automotive News. It's a bit of a test run for the General as to whether they can get away with more control, but from a consumer standpoint, much of it really sounds like common-sense measures not to frustrate would-be buyers. Clearly, the last thing GM wants is for someone to rage-quit the Hummer sales process to go buy a Rivian or a Cybertruck.
This is all codified in GM's electric models participation agreement, a copy of which a dealer shared with Automotive News. GM also makes it clear in this agreement how they will limit dealers' interactions with Hummer buyers. In fact, the first couple years of reservations will go through GMC.com, at which point a dealership will receive only what customers order. There will be none of the usual bulk allotments that we're used to seeing on dealerships' lots, so don't expect to roll up to your local GMC dealer and get to pick from one of a row of new Hummers.
The entire process sounds a lot closer to the direct sales model pursued by many EV startups than it does the usual dealership-based one we're used to with GM and other more established automakers. Per Automotive News, GM President Mark Reuss touts this plan as trimming the "waste" from its dealership model, blending the benefits of an established, widespread dealership network with the trimmed-down process of online sales.