Sign of the times? Hummer registration plummets
Although none of the Hummer models are really all that worse than any other body-on-frame SUV powered by a large engine, the ex-military marque is considered by many to be the anti-green brand. If that's how you feel, you'll likely be glad to hear that Hummer models are languishing on dealer lots all over the country. Hummer spokeswoman Joanne Krell suggests that the downturn in sales is directly related to the upturn in fuel prices. That makes sense, now doesn't it? Maybe not... Acura is the only brand that has seen similar drops in new registrations with nary a V8 engine in sight. All of this raises a few questions: Is the Hummer brand is just plain falling out of favor? If so, would flex-fuel engine options help their cause?
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ale 6:17PM (4/23/2008)
Diesel? perhaps... i mean its a no brainer isnt it? (i know there's not alot of that to go around in dearborn lately)...
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Chris Carpenter 9:43AM (4/23/2008)
Hummer is falling out of favor as a nameplate. It has 2 major strikes. It is the poster vehicle for fuel gluttony, for starts. It is definitely not the worst (see Bentley and the Italian sports cars for that shameful lineup), but because of its size, it is an easy scapegoat for those who wish to be absconded from their own carbon sins by saying things like, "at least I don't drive a hummer. On the other hand, and possibly somewhat overlooked, the hummer is the vehicle associated with the military during the time of an unpopular war (over oil). While folks support the troups (people with families just doing their jobs), it is not necessarily true that folks have favorable subconscious views of the icons of the government in the war (military vehicles, weapons, ships, etc...). Let's face it, when you see a hummer you think of two things - either its perceived excessive appetite for fuel or it's ties to the military.
So how is it my business to worry about who drives a hummer? Think about this: world oil and consumer pollution are like a family dinner. If someone came to the table and at a ton more than the rest of us, we'd be bent, right? If they proceeded to go dump the aftermath of that binge fest in our toilet and didn't flush, we'd be doubly bent. Is it their right? Sure. Is it beneficial to the whole? No. So how, then, do we ensure that the equally important rights of non-Hummerdom are protected as well? Laws? (least fav) Grass roots green discipling (personal fav)? Encouraging folks to innovate and come up with clean-green retrofits to their Hummers that will help everyone out (again, personal fav)? Well, I'll let you decide. Personally, if we continue to eco-slap Hummer owners, they will just become less likely to care what we have to say. If we partner with them to innovate and integrate towards greenness, we might find that they have some pretty sweet contributions.
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jmspearman 10:17AM (4/23/2008)
Americans love their market-driven choices, and they'll be damned if they do anything about the environment on their own, so thank the lord for $4 gasoline. When Bob Lutz wants to make an electric car, you know the shit has not only hit the fan, it's hit Bob right in the face.
Baseball, Apple Pie, and Gas Guzzlers. That should have been the mantra, as we have been carrying on our tawdry love affair with big cars in this country for a long, long time. As Reverend Wright said, " . . . the chickens have come home to roost." Every part of the American life is rife with overconsumption--oversized houses, oversized cars, oversized diets, and an insatiable appetite for material goods.
The Hummer, I think, is a tipping point, a ridiculous symbol of two American pursuits: our lust for imperial power in the world, and our lust for overstuffed luxury. It was, and is, a luxurious military vehicle, meant for assaults on the local elementary school, soccer field, grocery store, and boardroom.
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Bill 2:10PM (4/23/2008)
Hummer sales plunged post-Katrina.
Dealerships here folded then.
Sadly, almost no Hummers on the road are based on the real Humvee - the popular "H2" is essentially a pimped-up Yukon.
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armmat 2:20PM (4/23/2008)
CHRIS CARPENTER:
I agree with most of what said except for a couple of points.
1) The people you speak of DO NOT have a right to piss away and gorge resources that everyone needs. If they want to do that, they can go to another planet and piss in their own back yard. Until then and while they are living among us, they have no right whatsoever. If they want to drive cars like that, then they need to do community service, give something back, go and clean up shit from the oceans and do hard labor clean ups. Not just whine about they are paying more for it. Tough shit...that doesn't cut it.
2) Working with these people is like trying make a brick understand what you concerned about. They are denser and more stupid than hard foam. These people don't deserve to be given a choice, or to do what they do. Do we let mentally challenged people walk around the streets freely and do whatever they want? So what's the different? This group is just mentally challenged and retarded in another way.
Wastefulness should be labeled a disease...I bet then all these idiots would clean up their act considering how image conscious they are already are to want to be seen in a 6000lb POS to go buy a loaf of bread.
You're giving stupidity a green light. They have not right to it and they don't deserve it.
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Throwback 2:51PM (4/23/2008)
So armmat you are the arbiter of how people should be allowed to live? Are you the arbiter of who has rights in a free society? Based on some of your responses and the language you use I wonder who is "mentally challenged"?
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Noz 3:15AM (3/16/2009)
Sounds like you're one of the people Armmat is talking about...no wonder you got bent out of shape.
Ron Fischer 4:07PM (4/23/2008)
Could GM respond to higher fuel prices by building smaller more efficient Hummers, which don't fit the brand image, or adding hybrid technology, which is expensive? It may not be possible to innovate (within cost) to meet new market needs while upholding the brand image. Let's be clear: you can build lighter AND stronger Hummers and give them hybrid powertrains. But is the resulting truck so expensive that its customer base can no longer afford it? Worse for GM, does this problem extend to all their large SUVs, which provide significant part of their income.
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Peekoyle 7:53AM (4/24/2008)
Now when I see a Hummer I see the usual Gas-Hog, War for Oil chariot. I also see lots and lost of wasted cash! Cash wasted on spiralling fuel costs and rapid depreciation.
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Chris 9:49AM (4/24/2008)
armmat,
Sorry, but considering how most Greenies celebrate kooks like Al Gore and other super wasters of resources I am all for allowing people to own Hummers, Bentleys, and other such.
Sorry, but the use of resources by their cars is probably a very small amount of the impact they have on the environment.
These consumers HAVE EVERY RIGHT.
If you don't think so then move.
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Rick 11:24AM (4/24/2008)
I have to agree with Armmat. Last time I checked, we lived on a closed planet. What you see around you is what we have. Let's be honest, this planet is overpopulated with a species bent on overusing the resources around it. What you do WILL affect the other 5.999999999 billion others around you.
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Kevin Nugent 5:25PM (4/25/2008)
still now green in my opinion
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Hummer H3 12:53AM (3/16/2009)
Hummer H3 is suitable for both on-road and off-road driving in all conditions. The Hummer H3T was a concept vehicle from Hummer - mainly used as a media diversion from the Hummer H3. The H3T offers the same powertrains as the H3 SUV.
http://www.localcarsnow.com/browse_by_make_model_res.php?MID=HUMMER&MOD=H3
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