Posted on 05/13/2006 5:53:02 AM PDT by kellynla
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 also has drawn the ire of environmentalists.
General Motors Corp. announced plans yesterday for the H1, which is the foundation for the automaker's Hummer brand. Based on the military's Humvee, about 12,000 have been put on the road since 1992.
"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. Mr. 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 Mr. 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. "If you have to worry about the price at the pump, you don't have the money to spend on the vehicle in the first place," said Erich Merkle, an auto analyst with Grand Rapids, Mich., consulting company IRN Inc. "It is such a frivolous purchase."
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
My guess as to why production is ceasing: costs about $130,000 to $140,000.
I had a Matchbox Unimog back in the 60's.
Boy, them were the days!
A buddy of mine bought one...camo paint job and all, for under $20K.
His only problem is maintenance...but it's cool when it actually runs.
I have been going off-road for years, deep into the backcountry on steep, narrow, windy trails, in various 4X4 pick-ups, Jeeps, etc., and I have yet to see a Hummer back there. Probably because they are way too wide and unpractical for most trails. For that matter, I have yet to see a SUV of any kind on remote dirt trails. In reality, all you ever see way back in the boondocks are Jeeps and 4X4 trucks.
That's really a shame they're dropping the H1 when they FINALLY got it right. The new model has the better diesel engine, a much better transmission (Allison) and is basically the same type drive line as used in GM's "Work Horse" chassis that is built for motor homes. The darn thing ought to be really reliable, only problem is the price. Yeow! $$$$$$$$$$$$
I'm surprised at the low number of Hummers. I live in Bullhead City, AZ and I'm constantly shocked by how many of these I see on the road here. I moved here from San Diego, and I never saw as many there.
I like it! And .. I was going to take a test drive in the new, smaller version.
I was joking earlier about how sales of an H2 would go if they introduced a tracked version.....
Anything will sell in the US...anything!
"As stylish as a brick on roller skates.....I never understood why anybody liked that box of saltines."
I agree. It was specifically designed for people with more money than brains.
A banker in my old neighborhood bought one. He looked absolutely silly driving it to work in his three piece suit.
The only time that thing ever went "off road" was when he was trying to back out of his driveway.
How are Humvees on maintenance/readiness rate?
Always seemed to me that there was too much technology for the purpose...of course, I'd happily invest in a brand new '41 MB or even the RVN era A1.
I like the smaller Hummer because it looks strong and powerful - just like our military. And .. I love to travel by car - and gas mileage aside - I'd just like to drive it around and see if it's something I might consider in the future.
That one must have really been beat all to snot, 'cause the Army has them torn down and rebuilt, because they need all they can get.
Paris Hilton will no longer be in the spotlight next year? We can only hope.
In Colorado, we were exited when they first came out, but quickly the reviews pointed out that they were too wide for our dirt roads in the mountains. They are useless for mountain driving.
Asking the wrong guy on that question..I only drove it once in fact...the rest of the time I was there I was driving the Chevy :D
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