Living Car Free - Hummer on the Block

Though y'all might enjoy this:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/general-motors-puts-hummer-up-for-sale-due-to-rising-petrol-prices-839616.html



General Motors puts Hummer up for sale due to rising petrol prices

Hummer, the sport utility vehicle (SUV) brand which symbolised Americans' love for hulking gas-guzzlers, is being put up for sale by General Motors because its customers have deserted in droves since petrol prices soared higher.

Beautiful

I can't believe all of this is changing so quickly. What's going to happen in 5 more years?

Well, this story was a big fat "DUH". I'm surprised that it took this long.

This might actually be a really good time to open a bike shop that specializes in utility bikes.

This might actually be a really good time to open a bike shop that specializes in utility bikes.

Now that you mention it, I have seen a Hummer-branded folding bike parked in my building.. ;)

United Grounds Planes To Save Fuel (http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080604/united_fuel.html?.v=2)

Ford Truck And SUV Sales Drop (http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080603173828.rs0e9s59&show_article=1)

Chrysler Also Sees Drops (http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSWNAS672020080603?feedType=RSS&feedName=businessNews&rpc=23&sp=true)

What's really dumb, IMO, is that they didn't see this coming. Toyota did, apparently. But, when most of us could see this coming, they didn't, and still invested in the types of vehicles people were bound to desert.

Who would buy it? Tata? They just bought Jaguar and Land Rover. China?

Besides trying to sell the Hummer line, GM announced the closing of plants in the US, Canada and Mexico that build light trucks and SUVs. Ford made some similar moves last week.

The US auto companies were caught with their pants down in the 1970s oil crisis. Toyota sold more cars than GM for the first time last quarter, and this is scaring the crap out of them.

On a more positive note, GM also announced that they're rushing production of the gas assisted electric car, the Volt. I believe they're planning to introduce in in the 2010 model year, which is really only a little more than a year from now.

What's really dumb, IMO, is that they didn't see this coming. Toyota did, apparently. But, when most of us could see this coming, they didn't, and still invested in the types of vehicles people were bound to desert.

+1, especially about Toyota (and others).

The first engine that passed the then-new US emissions restrictions in the early 1970s, doing it without a catalytic convertor, was by Honda.

On a more positive note, GM also announced that they're rushing production of the gas assisted electric car, the Volt. I believe they're planning to introduce in in the 2010 model year, which is really only a little more than a year from now.
This is the direction the North American auto makers should have been pursuing at least a decade ago. At that point, while fuel was still cheap, environmentalists were calling for cleaner transportation. Hybrids, electric vehicles and alternate fuel vehicles can meet that requirement while also providing more reasonably priced transportation.

Developing the Hummer for public use didn't make a lot of sense. It was originally designed as a military vehicle for rough off-road conditions and for moving troops and supplies. For the non-military public, it's far more vehicle than almost anyone will ever need. It also comes with its own handling issues, particularly in traffic, because of its size and weight.

If the demand for the Hummer remains, it would be worth General Motors' efforts to look into offering an electric or hybrid version of this vehicle.

... On a more positive note, GM also announced that they're rushing production of the gas assisted electric car, the Volt. I believe they're planning to introduce in in the 2010 model year, which is really only a little more than a year from now.Just thinking out loud. The general public probably has no idea that Volt, Voltage, etc. is Alessandro Volta's (http://www.answers.com/topic/volt?cat=technology) legacy, just as Bush's legacy will be the bus :roflmao2:

This might actually be a really good time to open a bike shop that specializes in utility bikes.

I'm in. Let's do it!

What's really dumb, IMO, is that they didn't see this coming. Toyota did, apparently. But, when most of us could see this coming, they didn't, and still invested in the types of vehicles people were bound to desert.

Actually, Toyota was even dumber - not being saddled with a plant to build big V-8 powered pickups and SUV's, they built one in Texas. And opened it just as the market crashed. Fortunately they've got all the hybrids and small cars which are keeping the profits flowing, but the losses on the trucks are cutting into that.

So much for Toyota's supposed precognitive genius.

Actually, the only major car manufacturer that's looking good at the moment is Honda, who have steadfastly refused to build vehicles for specific markets. They take the attitude that if it can't sell worldwide, they're not interested. And the Ridgeline (half a pickup) is as far as they deviated from that philosophy.

Besides trying to sell the Hummer line

You're jumping the gun - Hummer isn't for sale . . . . . . yet. However, GM is looking into the possibility.

Though y'all might enjoy this:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/general-motors-puts-hummer-up-for-sale-due-to-rising-petrol-prices-839616.html

Thanks for the great article! While I feel for the people who will be losing their jobs over this, I think that GM could easily make their money back and create plenty of jobs if they starting nailing out the future of super high MPG vehicles instead of trying to hold on to the ultra-consumerism ideals of the past.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzoo1k6BWrk

Smart Car vs. Hummer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkjZtfgqC2w)

Smart Car vs. Hummer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkjZtfgqC2w)

lol, that's awesome.

one of my favorite videos

They had a story here too:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/03/AR2008060303264.html

If you look at the sales, the reasons for this are obvious. Although I have no clue who in their right mind would buy the thing now.

http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2008/06/04/GR2008060400290.gif

A 2008 H1 would be a collectible. Put it on blocks for a couple of decades and you're set. ;)

Smart Car vs. Hummer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkjZtfgqC2w)

Hehehe...

And leave it to the guy to say, "Size isn't everything.." ;)

Smart Car vs. Hummer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkjZtfgqC2w)

:thumb::roflmao2::love:

I used to amaze people with just how much I could put in my 1978 Honda Civic 1200 coupe...then I bought a 1982 wagon:eek: and it had at least a third more capacity.

Aaron:)

Makes You Want To Watch "who Killed The Electric Car?" Again.gm Dropped The Ball Then Too,now They Have To Play Catch-up With The Ready For Sale Electric/hydrogen/hybrid Vehicle Makers.they Were Riding The Wave For Sometime Selling' Keep Up With The Jones' Suv/trucks And Laughed All The Way To The Bank.while It Probably Costs $5k More To Make An Suv Than A Car,the Profit Margin Is Huge On A 40 To Mid 50k Road Monster.it Is A Shame The Auto Workers Have To Pay For The Lack Of Foresight.i Expect The Jobs Will Come Back,but The Gap For R+d And Re-tooling Is Going To Be A While.

Hehehe...

And leave it to the guy to say, "Size isn't everything.." ;)

It was cute and all. But in all honesty the video illustrated more the benefits of Ikea style packaging rather than the cargo capacity of the 2 vehicles.

-D

http://media.techeblog.com/images/aptera_6.jpg
The Aptera was on the Evening News the other day (still not on the market yet). They were using it as contrast to the Hummer.

Really sorry to hear that! IMO people should be able to drive whatever they want. With the price of gas and diesel, the more they pay for fuel, the more money goes to fixing the roads. :)

Makes You Want To Watch "who Killed The Electric Car?" Again.gm Dropped The Ball Then Too,now They Have To Play Catch-up With The Ready For Sale Electric/hydrogen/hybrid Vehicle Makers.they Were Riding The Wave For Sometime Selling' Keep Up With The Jones' Suv/trucks And Laughed All The Way To The Bank.while It Probably Costs $5k More To Make An Suv Than A Car,the Profit Margin Is Huge On A 40 To Mid 50k Road Monster.it Is A Shame The Auto Workers Have To Pay For The Lack Of Foresight.i Expect The Jobs Will Come Back,but The Gap For R+d And Re-tooling Is Going To Be A While.

You type like you are trying to finish in one breath...

-D

It was cute and all. But in all honesty the video illustrated more the benefits of Ikea style packaging rather than the cargo capacity of the 2 vehicles.

-D

It still show that with a little ingenuity and smart thinking, size really doesn't matter. Now we just need the video pitting the smart car vs the Big Dummy/Xtracycle. :D

Smart Car vs. Hummer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkjZtfgqC2w)

:thumb: Excellent!

Now if they would only make a steampunk version of a smartcar I would buy one :)

http://media.techeblog.com/images/aptera_6.jpg
The Aptera was on the Evening News the other day (still not on the market yet). They were using it as contrast to the Hummer.

I'll take stuff like that seriously when you can actually buy one.

About 40 years ago, I had a chance to ride in a Tucker. Ghod, what a car that would have been had it actually come out in 1948 as planned. There's 53 of them in existence, all pre-production prototypes.

I look at the Aptera and all I can see is a Tucker.

http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/8_mollerb.jpg

I think it will come closer to real than the Möller, but yeah. It's cool looking vapor ware right now.

What does exist is the Gem Car (http://www.gemcar.com/).
http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea4f80/cmd.233/enclosure..eea4f81

Sadly, there are still companies out there marketing to the power-hungry, gas-guzzler, to-rich-to-care crowd. I saw one commercial the other day for a car where the city's power grid dipped as the car revved up. Sick imagery for these times.

:thumb::roflmao2::love:

I used to amaze people with just how much I could put in my 1978 Honda Civic 1200 coupe...then I bought a 1982 wagon:eek: and it had at least a third more capacity.

Aaron:)

Cue:

http://graphics2.snopes.com/photos/automobiles/graphics/lumber.jpg

What does exist is the Gem Car (http://www.gemcar.com/).
http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea4f80/cmd.233/enclosure..eea4f81

Oooooo as someone who lives with a disability I love the look of that GEM :thumb:

Cue:

http://graphics2.snopes.com/photos/automobiles/graphics/lumber.jpg

I take it you didn't like the Honda Civic 1200?

Aaron:)

I take it you didn't like the Honda Civic 1200?

Aaron:)

No, I apparently got busted by yanking a photo from this page:

http://www.snopes.com/photos/automobiles/lumber.asp

No, I apparently got busted by yanking a photo from this page:

http://www.snopes.com/photos/automobiles/lumber.asp

I finally figured out what you are saying. You linked directly to a car image on the snopes page and their server substituted the Mr Yuk instead of delivering the image. Nice of them, huh.

Edit to add: If snopes is concerned about copyright and so forth, they should be aware that Mr Yuk is a registered trademark of the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh...

Oh, I see it's been fixed. Never mind...

It still show that with a little ingenuity and smart thinking, size really doesn't matter. Now we just need the video pitting the smart car vs the Big Dummy/Xtracycle. :D

Not really. Watching that video it isn't even an apple to apples comparison. If you tried to fit the boxes they were putting into the hummer into the smart car, they would not have fit, regardless of how smart you think.

So yes, cute video. But otherwise worthless.

Some better comparisons would have been:

1. I saved so much money in gas with the smart car I could afford to rent a pickup truck for the day...
2. I saved so much money in gas with the smart car I could afford in home delivery...

Or what I would love to see

A comparison of crash safety between the two. Frankly the main concerns that "I" see with people is that they don't feel the tiny cars would be safe enough on the roads.

-D

Some better comparisons would have been:

1. I saved so much money in gas with the smart car I could afford to rent a pickup truck for the day...
2. I saved so much money in gas with the smart car I could afford in home delivery...

Then again, both of those options would be defeating the purpose of the Smart car. Renting a pickup truck means guzzling gas, and having home delivery (which is what I thought he was going to do) just sends another gas guzzler out there.

I'd add a #3, I saved so much money in gas with the Smart car I could afford to not buy the floor model.

Then again, both of those options would be defeating the purpose of the Smart car. Renting a pickup truck means guzzling gas, and having home delivery (which is what I thought he was going to do) just sends another gas guzzler out there.

I'd add a #3, I saved so much money in gas with the Smart car I could afford to not buy the floor model.

1. Renting the occasional truck to pick up large and bulky items is still better than owning a Hummer. Renting a small truck just for a short time such as this, the extra gas used would be negligable (Unless you are going out of state for furniture or something)

2. Busses and other mass transit are gas guzzlers. But they make it up by moving more people. Similarily getting delivery is still better than picking it up yourself in many cases. That delivery truck will lilkely make a bunch of deliveries in one run. One truck making say, 10 deliveries is gonna be better than 10 people coming individually to pick up their stuff.


But i never said those were great options either. Just a better comparison than what was shown in the video

-D

From one of the major car boards (edmunds.com), here's a real good, rational, honest look at what's going on with Hummer:

http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/06/like-its-outsized-persona-hummer-wont-go-quietly.html#more

Sadly, there are still companies out there marketing to the power-hungry, gas-guzzler, to-rich-to-care crowd. I saw one commercial the other day for a car where the city's power grid dipped as the car revved up. Sick imagery for these times.

This is America. They still have the right to drive what they want - as long as they can pay for it.

One truck making say, 10 deliveries is gonna be better than 10 people coming individually to pick up their stuff.

True, but then again, if they drove to the store to begin with, they'd save the delivery truck of another trip by taking the stuff home themselves; if they have it delivered, their round trip becomes merely an informational trip.

If they order via mail order, they could skip the drive to the store entirely, of course.

But yeah, they certainly skewed the video to favored the Smart. They didn't try bringing home furniture from a garage sale, either. ;)

This is America. They still have the right to drive what they want - as long as they can pay for it.

That's why I never go on the freeway unless I'm driving my Bradley tank. You'd be all advised to get out of the way.

That's why I never go on the freeway unless I'm driving my Bradley tank. You'd be all advised to get out of the way.

you've got a bradley? i've got one too! ain't america grand?!

I think AM General was surprised that the Hummer could be sold as a civilian passenger vehicle. It is such a piggy car - an embarrassing testament to the Bush years of the USA's slathering over-indulgence. It was the equivelant of driving your kids to soccer in a military tank. Why? It made absolutely no sense at all other than complete vanity.

I don't know that the end of the Hummer is as surprising as the fact that it enjoyed any success in the consumer marketplace to begin with.

No, I apparently got busted by yanking a photo from this page:

http://www.snopes.com/photos/automobiles/lumber.asp

I have seen that one before...IIRC the story behind it, the guys were stoned out of their minds. I was referring to the ability of my Honda 1200 to swallow a dozen large paper bags of groceries, 40# bag of dog food...when people with the similar year of Lincoln had problems getting that much in the trunk.

Aaron:)