SAD times for HUMMER

[Buster]

General Motors submitted their next update to Congress, and although the plan for viability included information about HUMMER, much of it was already known. Even though GM’s actions around HUMMER have been clear for some time, Wednesday was the first time that keeping the HUMMER brand wasn’t even discussed as an option for The General.

“We will make a final decision to sell or phase out HUMMER by March 31st of this year,” said Rick Wagoner, who called a press conference Wednesday evening to discuss the highlights of the viability plan. The report noted that a final resolution for HUMMER is expected no later than 2010.

During a Q&A session, a reporter from the Detroit Free Press asked how long it would take for operations to cease if a buyer for HUMMER wasn’t found by March 31st . GM President Fritz Henderson responded by saying “we’ve been managing (HUMMER) inventories,” and that a wind-down of the HUMMER brand “would happen rather quickly.”

HUMMER was also mentioned in the dealership reduction area of the report. In total, GM is planning to drop over 2000 dealers by 2014, including the roughly 200 HUMMER dealers in the U.S.. GM also suggested that market share for their core brands (Chevy, Cadillac, and Buick) would increase due to reduced competition from HUMMER, Saab, Saturn, and Pontiac.

The overall report is rather mum when it comes to specifics on HUMMER’s future, though we won’t have to wait long. The definitive announcement on HUMMER is just over a month away.

courtesy www.hummerguy.net 02-17-09

 

[Silverbird]

Sigh, sadly the Hummer venture was ill-starred at the beginning, whatever possesed GM to simply introduce the first version of the vehicle with non-military components when it's really slloooowwww, heavy, and a big giant gas-guzzler? That's great for a piece of equipment to go on any terrain, but not to drive every day. The Hummer is NOT a jeep. Then it was the mini version, which was too low to the ground to go climb a mountain (which is the major strength of the Hummer - goes everywhere). Third try looked like they possibly got it right - but by now they've thrown way too much money at production and owners of the "older" versions were quite unhappy.

Hello, R&D and marketing, this was a good idea than could have worked, but you fell asleep at the wheel.

I'm sad it looks like they are taking Saturn out. There were some good ideas in that line.

 

[Viva_La_Migra]

Sigh, sadly the Hummer venture was ill-starred at the beginning, whatever possesed GM to simply introduce the first version of the vehicle with non-military components when it's really slloooowwww, heavy, and a big giant gas-guzzler? That's great for a piece of equipment to go on any terrain, but not to drive every day. The Hummer is NOT a jeep. Then it was the mini version, which was too low to the ground to go climb a mountain (which is the major strength of the Hummer - goes everywhere). Third try looked like they possibly got it right - but by now they've thrown way too much money at production and owners of the "older" versions were quite unhappy.

Hello, R&D and marketing, this was a good idea than could have worked, but you fell asleep at the wheel.

I'm sad it looks like they are taking Saturn out. There were some good ideas in that line.

You can blame AAAnold SwarzenShriver-Kennedy, AKA: Da Governator, for making GM think selling a military vehicle to the public was a good idea.

 

[CountryBoy]

Sigh, sadly the Hummer venture was ill-starred at the beginning, whatever possesed GM to simply introduce the first version of the vehicle with non-military components when it's really slloooowwww, heavy, and a big giant gas-guzzler? That's great for a piece of equipment to go on any terrain, but not to drive every day. The Hummer is NOT a jeep. Then it was the mini version, which was too low to the ground to go climb a mountain (which is the major strength of the Hummer - goes everywhere). Third try looked like they possibly got it right - but by now they've thrown way too much money at production and owners of the "older" versions were quite unhappy.

Hello, R&D and marketing, this was a good idea than could have worked, but you fell asleep at the wheel.

I'm sad it looks like they are taking Saturn out. There were some good ideas in that line.

Yeah I was suprised with Saturn also.

CB

 

[Buster]

I'm not going to try and defend the HUMMER line to people that just don't have a clue about the vehicle or it's capabilities, only to just regurgitate the same vomit and venom like they are in the know

..You have formed your ill informed opinions and that is fine (ignorance should be painful)...But before you rag on HUMMER, at least the H2 and H3 models..realize you are dogging a Chevy Tahoe with an outer skin of an H2 and the Chevy Trailblazer with an outer skin of an H3..Gas guzzler? LMAO!!! this is usually the ignorant arguement people use against HUMMERs..Lets' compare a lesser varity of 4X4s and pickups and SUVs that get TERRIBLE mileage, yet people seem to ignore these facts..Caddilac Escalades, Lincolns Navigators, Toyotas Land Cruiser, Lexus SUVs, Infinity SUV, Chevy Suburbans, and a dozen more Pickups and 4X4s..All of which get worse mileage than any H2 or H3..My H3 gets 21 MPG average...And It, with me, provided a service to my communtiy when the roads were impassable due to Ice and Snow, yet me and my HUMMER were able to get out in it and deliver old folks to hospitals and deliver food to elderly and sick that normal gas pinchers couldn't do for days..As do may Hummer owners do.
http://blogs.fourwheeler.com/647302...-disaster-assistance-to-the-rescue/index.html

And BTW to further educate the tree huggers that think they know all there is to know about the HUMMER..The H1 Humvee everyone calls a HUMMER, was discontinued form production back in June of 07, to fulfill the Military needs..And it was a diesel.

 

[Silverbird]

Yes, it was unfortunate. The first version was so slow and gas eating that its reputation got to all the other versions - that's why I kick the Marketing department as well as R&D. Old tales of less than 10 MPG, overweight, and terrible accelerations went on to all other models, so debunkers of the H2 would make it a mini-Humm that eats gas, moves like a snail, and has a low undercarrige, even though only the undercarrige and the size were true.

The Gas Guzzler that moved too slow: Original Hummer on commercial market. Unfortunately called "Hummer"

Hummer II: Too close to the ground to have the complete package of Hummer fun with

Hummer III: Finally got it right, but you spent lots of money and lost customers with Hummer I and II...

I liked the H3, but I never buy anything that doesn't have a couple years on the model, and I don't need an all terrain vehicle, and it's just me and the sig other in the car. The only road hazards we have are bad drivers and K Street (sorry had to make a DC joke).

 

[Buster]

Hummer III: Finally got it right, but you spent lots of money and lost customers with Hummer I and II...

I liked the H3, but I never buy anything that doesn't have a couple years on the model,

So you are in luck..The H3 has been out since 06 and the latest models are really sweet with creature comforts and special standard features...If you you do nothing else, you will be happy if you just go test drive one for grins and giggles..you may find yourself pleasantly surprised..the prices have dropped to ridiculous low amounts on these right now..and reliability is phenomenal

 

[rawiron1]

Hummer = evil golbal warmer

Jason

 

[Buster]

Hummer = evil golbal warmer

Jason

Not only are you ignorant, you can't spell.

 

[Steadygain]

Not only are you ignorant, you can't spell.

Thanks Buster - that made me burst out laughing

Ahh man that's good. It's few people that just say whatever and never think twice about it. :laugh:

 

[Buster]

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors Corp.'s auditors have raised "substantial doubt" about the troubled automaker's ability to continue operations.

The company revealed the concerns, raised by the accounting firm Deloitte & Touche LLP, in its annual report filed on Thursday.

GM has received $13.4 billion in federal loans as it tries to survive the worst auto sales climate in 27 years. It is seeking a total of $30 billion from the government. During the past three years it has piled up $82 billion in losses, including $30.9 billion in 2008.

GM says in its report that its auditors cited recurring losses from operations, stockholders' deficit and an inability to generate enough cash to meet its obligations in raising substantial doubts about its ability to continue as a going concern.

The company said in its filing that its future depends on successfully executing the viability plan submitted to the government in February to justify the loans.

"If we fail to do so for any reason, we would not be able to continue as a going concern and could potentially be forced to seek relief through a filing under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code," GM said in the annual report, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

GM, the report said, is highly dependent on auto sales volume, which dropped rapidly last year.

"There is no assurance that the global automobile market will recover or that it will not suffer a significant further downturn," the company wrote.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090305/ap_on_bi_ge/gm_annual_report

Thanks Buster - that made me burst out laughing

Ahh man that's good. It's few people that just say whatever and never think twice about it. :laugh:

Sorry, but I call a Spade a Spade (see my signature)

 

[Buster]

On Tuesday’s radio program, Rush Limbaugh commented on a couple of recent stories out of the New York Times from that feature HUMMERs. One is about the sudden HUMMER demand in Iraq, and the other a feature on Lynch HUMMER out of Missouri. Following his recap of the articles, he went on to say that HUMMERs are “being tarred, feathered, and destroyed by the Obama administration and the American left.” Full text after the video and the jump. Take a listen or look, then tell us what you think in the comments section.

I posted conversation otherwise you can go to www.hummerguy.net and click on the box to listen.


LIMBAUGH: ” ‘Iraqis love Hummers because they’re a symbol of power,’ said Mr. Hilli, a chubby 37-year-old who couldn’t stop laughing. Hummers in Baghdad are symbols of much more besides: increasing security, returning normalcy and a yearning for the trappings of sovereignty.” That’s what a Hummer represents to Iraqis. It helped that we didn’t have such a bad opinion of the Americans in one of the provinces, said Ali al-Hilli. ” ‘People often asked the soldiers to stop their Humvees so they could get their pictures taken in front of them. Soon conditions improved enough to drive all over the city. Hummer H3s began rumbling off the lot, at 50 to 60 thousand dollars apiece, in dollars, and all the money down, fully loaded. (No one wanted them any other way.)” No Iraqis wanted a bargain-basement Hummer; they wanted them fully loaded. “Iraqis are paying historically high prices for gasoline. At $1.40 a gallon, that wouldn’t break any Americans hearts, but not long ago in Iraq it was 19 cents a gallon.” It’s now a buck forty. The increase had no effect on sales of Hummers. ‘If you can afford this car, you don’t care how much gasoline costs,’ said Mr. Hilli. Iraqis love their cars. In Iraq, people judge you by your car, and you’re not a man without one,’ ” he said. … When it comes to Hummers, they’ll always nearly be bigger than anyone else’s car.”

Now, I have another story out here of St. Louis. Chesterfield, Missouri, near St. Louis, and it is — well, it’s The New York Times as well, I think: “A dealer’s big bet is on the line as Hummer falls from favor.” Now remember, you just heard about the Hummer. Iraqis love it, and they’re buying them as fast as they can, at full price and fully loaded. In a nation that is just emerging from the seventh century, thanks to us, and the people over there are buying Hummers and they’re excited. And here in the world’s greatest superpower, the greatest outpost for freedom ever in the world, the same automobile is being tarred, feathered, and destroyed by the Obama administration and the American left. “

Source: Mediamatters.org

 

[Buster]

On February 17th, then Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said GM “will make a final decision to sell or phase out HUMMER by March 31st of this year.” After the events in the last 48 hours, it’s possible the announcement regarding the ultimate fate of HUMMER won’t be made tomorrow as promised.

GM’s chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner was asked to step down by the White House over the weekend, apparently after some disappointing meetings in Washington with Obama’s automotive task force. Monday morning Obama addressed the nation regarding the automotive industry.

The president articulated his belief that neither GM or Chrysler had gone far enough with their plans for viability, and before the U.S. Government would loan more money to the automakers, they would need to make further cuts. Obama gave GM another 60 days for more planning, and also announced that starting today, the government would back GM and Chrysler’s new car warranties during their restructuring to help calm fears of bankruptcy.

Though it’s still possible that we may have some HUMMER news tomorrow, it most likely will not be an ultimate decision about the brand as previously expected. Regarding a sale, HUMMER spokesperson Nick Richards said Monday night they are “cautiously optimistic that we will report a favorable outcome to our efforts to sell HUMMER within a very short time period.”

Troy Clarke, GM’s president of North America told dealers Monday afternoon that “Our efforts to sell Hummer are proceeding, and there are several parties interested — and I would say really interested — in the brand…We’re still very much in the process, although that process is maturing.”

HUMMER owners, enthusiasts, dealers, manufacturers and suppliers are all on the edge of their seat tonight, and although a definitive answer may not come in the next 24 hours, there is plenty of evidence that suggests a sale is much more likely than simply discontinuing the brand.

________________________________________


In a press conference this morning, GM CEO Fritz Henderson confirmed that despite a promise from ex-CEO Rick Wagoner in February to announce a decision by the end of the first quarter, GM has still not made up its mind about what to do with the HUMMER brand.

“We have been in dialog with several interested parties,” said Henderson, adding that GM would not have an announcement today, “but frankly, we’re within weeks (of making a decision).”

www.hummerguy.net

 

[Buster]

Not only are you ignorant, you can't spell.

Case in point..

The Texas man behind nearly $15,000 in vandalism to five HUMMERs won’t have to pay a dime or serve any time in jail. 72 year old James Andrew Jeppe was only sentenced to five years probation for his destructive behavior.

The crime Jeppe admitted to is a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. So why did this admitted HUMMER vandal, a member of both the Sierra Club and Green Peace, only receive probation? Your guess is as good as mine.

He was picked up by police after vandalizing a HUMMER H2 with a camera-based security system. He initially lied and told police he must ‘have a twin’, then confessed to the incident on camera, adding that was the only time he had done it. Jeppe later confessed to vandalizing four other HUMMERs after police presented evidence that linked him to the crimes. The biggest question is how many HUMMERs Jeppe vandalized that the police didn’t have evidence on.

I suppose if you’re an eco-terrorist looking to vandalize tens of thousands of dollars in property, and repeatedly lie to police, the place to do it is Southlake, TX. Your consequences will be minimal.

www.hummerguy.net

 

[Buster]

General Motors President and CEO Fritz Henderson held a media conference this morning to discuss the progress on their viability plan. While HUMMER wasn’t a main focus of the talk, Henderson did reiterate that a sale is likely and that GM is currently considering several offers. When taking questions, Henderson hinted that even if HUMMER is sold, GM would not handle production of new models after 2009.

Henderson spent most of the time discussed how GM was accelerating their restructuring plan, and confirmed that the Pontiac brand would be phased out by 2010, and that HUMMER, Saab, and Saturn models would not be produced by GM past 2009.

Also discussed was a dealer body reduction from 6246 to 3605 by the end of 2010, a 42% reduction. Henderson said that affected dealers would be contacted soon about their options and what GM was offering. HUMMER dealers should be largely unaffected by this move since whoever purchases the brand would assume the dealer liability.

Even though GM said that they expected to have an announcement by the end of April, given their past history of blowing deadlines, we remain skeptical that an announcement will come in the next four days.

www.hummerguy.net

 

[James48843]

Oldsmobile- gone.

Pontiac- going

Saturn- going

Hummer- going.

Not much left. By the way- GM has downsized and gotten rid of more than 70% of the people it had employed in the year 2000......and it's still cutting back.

Chrysler is down to 26,000 employees, and the UAW just agreed to a further $7 an hour wage cuts for employees who remain.

Yet both GM and Chrysler build great cars and trucks.

When gas hit $4 a gallon, everyone complained that they wanted small cars.

So GM increased production of the Korean built AVEO, just in time to see gasoline prices collapse, and the dealership lots filled with small cars that no one wants any more.

You can't win for losing.

Tough times.

 

[Birchtree]

I drive an Acura 3.2CL and yesterday I got my first speeding ticket in 40 years. Am I the victim of an anti foreign car conspiracy - my car was actually made in Ohio. No I was just going too fast and the car was hardly breathing over 2000 rpms in fifth gear. I'll have to pay $269 and I told the friendly officer that perhaps he can catch me again on the way back - and he kindly said he hoped not.

 

[Buster]

After a GM press conference on Monday yielded few details on sale of HUMMER, we were skeptical that a final decision would be announced by month end as earlier reported. Upon further investigation our suspicions were confirmed. In Monday’s SEC filing, GM said this regarding their progress on HUMMER:

“We have received final bids from potential purchasers and are in the process of reviewing them. We expect to make a final decision regarding a sale or phase-out of HUMMER in early May.”
Since GM expected to have a HUMMER announcement by the end of Q1, and then expected to have news by the end of April, we don’t expect this to be the definitive time line. Stay tuned.


www.hummerguy.net

 

[Buster]

 

[OBGibby]

GM Said to Have Agreement With Sichuan Tengzhong on Hummer Sale


By Katie Merx and Cathy Chan

June 2 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Corp. plans to sell its Hummer brand of sport-utility vehicles to Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. Ltd., a Chinese equipment maker, according to five people familiar with the situation.

GM, which filed for bankruptcy protection yesterday, has a memorandum of understanding with the Chengdu, China-based company, said the people, who declined to be identified because the agreement is confidential. At least one other party is still interested in buying Hummer, though those talks are on hold, one of the people said.

The deal should be completed by the end of the third quarter, Detroit-based GM said in a statement today disclosing the memorandum of understanding. The biggest U.S. carmaker didn’t identify the buyer or financial terms of the accord. Hummer was estimated to be worth $500 million, Chief Executive Officer Fritz Henderson said in bankruptcy court documents.

Tengzhong is a privately owned maker of special-use vehicles, structural components for highways and bridges, and construction machinery, according to its Web site. A call to the company after regular business hours was not answered. A GM spokesman, Nick Richards, said he could not comment on speculation.

GM won approval in its first day in bankruptcy court to sell assets as soon as next month after collapsing under $172.8 billion in debt and failing to adapt to consumer demands for models that use less fuel. It also expects to shed Saturn and Saab as part of its restructuring.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a0Erg3Bcoz74&refer=home