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GM Says It's the End of Road for Hummer H1(R.I.P.)
The Washington Times ^ | May 13, 2006 | David Runk

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 ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: automakers; generalmotors; hummer; suv
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To: kellynla
Had it sold like hotcakes, I'm sure they wouldn't be stopping production.

My guess as to why production is ceasing: costs about $130,000 to $140,000.

21 posted on 05/13/2006 6:43:36 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It. Supporting our Troops Means Praying for them to Win!)
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To: pctech; Disambiguator
Wow, someone here besides me knows of the Unimog

I had a Matchbox™ Unimog back in the 60's.


22 posted on 05/13/2006 6:49:38 AM PDT by Flyer (.)
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To: pctech
Here's a pic from the UnimogUSA site showing a good choice for the hunter or fisherman.


23 posted on 05/13/2006 6:53:48 AM PDT by Disambiguator (Unfettered gun ownership is the highest expression of civil rights.)
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To: kellynla
Why would anybody in a city need a piece of junk like that?

If they really feel they need an off road vehicle that bad why not by a John Deer tractor? They'll look just as ridiculous driving through New York and have all that "practicality" they desire.
24 posted on 05/13/2006 6:58:03 AM PDT by Porterville (I gave at the State Franchise Board; leave me alone you blood sucking liberal.)
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To: zeebee
Yikes, that's huge!
25 posted on 05/13/2006 6:58:45 AM PDT by BunnySlippers (We want our day: A day without hearing SPANISH ...)
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To: Loud Mime
Starting with the Battlegearboat in Vietnam, while in the Navy, and later working for Haliburton, I've driven a remarkable variety of boats and vehicles and have flown in some weird planes.

Boy, them were the days!

26 posted on 05/13/2006 7:03:49 AM PDT by battlegearboat
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To: kellynla
now buying one of the surplus armored Army/Marine Corps Humvees would be excellent!

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.

27 posted on 05/13/2006 7:05:32 AM PDT by Recovering Hermit (I will not need to come here again…I will send my android instead.)
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To: kellynla

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.


28 posted on 05/13/2006 7:07:42 AM PDT by Inyo-Mono (Life is like a cow pasture, it's hard to get through without stepping in some mess. NRA.)
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To: Recovering Hermit

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! $$$$$$$$$$$$


29 posted on 05/13/2006 7:14:59 AM PDT by SiVisPacemParaBellum (Peace through superior firepower!)
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To: kellynla

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.


30 posted on 05/13/2006 8:08:14 AM PDT by Hildy ("Whenever someone smiles at me all I see is a chimpanzee begging for its life." - Dwight Schrute)
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To: Loud Mime

I like it! And .. I was going to take a test drive in the new, smaller version.


31 posted on 05/13/2006 8:57:01 AM PDT by CyberAnt (Drive-by Media: Fake news, fake documents, fake polls)
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To: CyberAnt

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!


32 posted on 05/13/2006 8:59:15 AM PDT by Loud Mime (War is humanity's way of dealing with the tyranny caused by liberalism)
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To: Loud Mime

"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.


33 posted on 05/13/2006 9:07:15 AM PDT by EEDUDE (A penny saved is......a penny Congress overlooked.)
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To: Disambiguator
The cool thing about the Mog is the numerous configurations it can carry.

Google pix unimog

34 posted on 05/13/2006 9:09:38 AM PDT by Rebelbase ("Mr. President if democracy is good for Iraq, why not Mexico?" --FReeper, rrrod.)
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To: GulfWar1Vet
Since you raised the opportunity:

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.

35 posted on 05/13/2006 9:16:49 AM PDT by norton
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To: Loud Mime

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.


36 posted on 05/13/2006 9:40:33 AM PDT by CyberAnt (Drive-by Media: Fake news, fake documents, fake polls)
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To: Recovering Hermit
A buddy of mine bought one...camo paint job and all, for under $20K.

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.

37 posted on 05/13/2006 10:12:33 AM PDT by El Gato
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To: kellynla
The 2006 model year will be the last for the Hummer

Paris Hilton will no longer be in the spotlight next year? We can only hope.

38 posted on 05/13/2006 10:49:49 AM PDT by RightWingAtheist (Creationism is to conservatism what Howard Dean is to liberalism)
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To: xcamel
B) If you've never put one through it's paces offroad, you have no clue of what you're missing.

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.

39 posted on 05/13/2006 10:57:31 AM PDT by Vince Ferrer
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To: norton

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


40 posted on 05/13/2006 3:49:58 PM PDT by GulfWar1Vet (Remember 9/11...and the reason we are fighting. Islam is a threat to our national security.)
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