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 ...
The H1 has the drive train and suspension of the 'real deal'. It's the civilian version of the military Humvee. The H2 and H3 have the straight axles since, if I remember correctly, the H2 is basically a suburban with a boxy 'Hummer' type body. I figure the H3 is based on a blazer chassis.
The 2006 model year will be the last for the Hummer H1.Oh, no, can the culture take the hit?
unimogs are cool.. but for $100k, i could build 5 jeeps that would trounce an h1 anyday.
Yeah baby! My favorite! I had about six of 'em.
Ironically, Jeeps and Unimogs are now part of the same Daimler-Chrysler "family".
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