Hummer: Difference between revisions
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==Criticisms== |
==Criticisms== |
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Be warned that the legal limit on almost every residential road is 6000 pounds. Hummers weigh more than that and are thus illegal to drive in most communities. This law can be enforced and Hummer owners may have to find alternative parking. It is very important to check you local community regulations and those of areas that you intend to drive on a regular basis. |
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http://carfamily.wordpress.com/2007/07/24/is-it-time-for-a-class-action-suit-against-large-suvs/ |
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Even though they are hardly alone among large SUVs in their inefficiency, Hummers are constantly singled out for criticism for their poor fuel economy. For instance, the H2 in one engine configuration averages about 15 [[Miles per gallon|MPG]] on [[highway]]s, (10 mpg on the street), is large, has relatively high maintenance costs and can be destructive when driven as an [[off-road vehicle]]. [[Environmentalist]]s see Hummers as excessively damaging to the environment. Owing to its over 6000 lb weight it is technically illegal to operate on many streets, a restriction rarely enforced. |
Even though they are hardly alone among large SUVs in their inefficiency, Hummers are constantly singled out for criticism for their poor fuel economy. For instance, the H2 in one engine configuration averages about 15 [[Miles per gallon|MPG]] on [[highway]]s, (10 mpg on the street), is large, has relatively high maintenance costs and can be destructive when driven as an [[off-road vehicle]]. [[Environmentalist]]s see Hummers as excessively damaging to the environment. Owing to its over 6000 lb weight it is technically illegal to operate on many streets, a restriction rarely enforced. |
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Revision as of 15:40, 24 July 2007
- This article is about the Hummer vehicle. For other uses, see Hummer (disambiguation).
| File:Hummer logo.svg | |
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automobile |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | , |
| Products | Sport utility vehicles, Large pickup truck |
| Parent | General Motors |
| Website | www.hummer.com |
Hummer is a brand of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) sold by General Motors, also known as GM. They are based on the military High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or Humvee. The Hummer is one of the larger SUV types, with commensurate high fuel consumption.[1]
History
Hummers were originally built by AM General Corporation, formerly the military and government vehicle division of American Motors, in its South Bend, Indiana assembly plant. AM General had planned to sell a civilian version of the Hummer as far back as the late 1980s. In 1990, two matching white Hummers were driven from London to Beijing over the rough roads of central Soviet Union. The Hummers made the trip with ease, for they were built to drive on off-road terrain. The highlights of this journey were broadcast in the United States on ESPN. This publicity would pale in comparison to the attention that the HMMWV received for its service in Operation: Desert Storm the following year.
In 1992, AM General began selling a civilian version of the M998 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Hum-Vee) vehicle to the public under the brand name "Hummer". According to sources, they began doing so after Arnold Schwarzenegger asked them to; apparently, he was impressed by a convoy of HMMWVs that drove by during his filming Kindergarten Cop in 1990. In 1998, AM General sold the brand name to General Motors but continued to manufacture the vehicles. GM is responsible for the marketing and distribution of all Hummers produced by AM General. In the next few years, GM introduced two new homegrown models, the H2 and H3, and renamed the original vehicle H1. AM General continues to build the H1 and is contracted by GM to produce the H2. The H3 is built in Shreveport, LA alongside the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups.
As of 2006, Hummer has gone international with selected importers and distributors in Europe and other markets.
Since October 10, 2006, GM has been producing the Hummer H3 at its Port Elizabeth plant in South Africa for international markets.[2] Hummers at the Port Elizabeth plant will be built both for local South African consumption and for export to Australia (for the 2008 model year), Europe, the Middle East, and Japan. As of October 2006, Hummer vehicles are marketed by about 300 dealers in 34 countries. 173 of those are in the U.S.
The H2 is also assembled in Kaliningrad, Russia, by Avtotor, starting in June 2004. The plant produces a few hundred vehicles annually, and its output is limited to local consumption (five dealers in Russia initially).
On May 12 2006, GM announced it would cease production of the original H1 Hummer.[3]
GM CEO Rick Wagoner has said the Hummer brand of trucks will run on Biofuel Powertrains in Last Year's Los Angeles International Auto Show. Schwarzenegger has subsequently had one of his Hummer's converted to run on biofuel and now promotes this approach.
Hummer H1 vs. HMMWV
The Hummer H1 is basically a HMMWV built for civilian use; it has no armor or weapons fittings. However, the drive-train, frame, body, suspension, etc., are exactly the same. The H1 differs from the HMMWV in having a civilian interior, including trim, comfortable seats, stereo, and air conditioning as standard options. As a result of its commercial use, features introduced in the civilian Hummer have been incorporated into improved military versions. The H1's electrical system is 12 volts, with the two batteries wired in parallel. The HMMWV runs on a 24V system, where the two batteries are run in series to generate 24 volts.
Owner Efforts
Since all Hummer vehicles have heavy-duty capabilities, they have been employed by owners for aid in large disaster situations. Hummer Owners Prepared for Emergencies (HOPE) was created by the efforts of The Hummer Club, INC. and the American Red Cross. Together, the two organizations train Hummer owners with CPR and First Aid skills, and basic off-highway skills so that they may assist victims during a disaster situation.[4]
Today, more than 200 owners have undergone HOPE certification and many assisted during the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
Many Hummer clubs have also developed local collaborations with law enforcement, fire, search and rescue and civil air patrol squadrons.
Enthusiasts
Throughout the US, and international markets, there are groups of Hummer enthusiasts. They use the vehicles for off-road driving and recreation.
Racing
Team Hummer Racing was created in 1993 and showcases the Hummer's abilities. Led by off-road racing legend Rod Hall, Team HUMMER competes in the Stock classes of both BitD and SCORE, which feature production-based vehicles with stock frames, stock suspension designs and production-based engines. Only specialized racing shock absorbers, tires and other minor modifications are allowed, along with the required supporting components and mandatory safety equipment. Minor modifications are allowed to the powertrain, although the rules stipulate it must be based on the stock engine and transmission combination.
The team's latest victories came in February 2007, with the H2 and H1 Alpha earning class wins at the Parker 425.
Team HUMMER has tallied one of the most impressive records in production-class racing, earning 11 class wins at the Baja 1000.
Licensing
GM has been very active and effective in licensing the Hummer. Various companies have licensed the Hummer trademarks for use on colognes, flashlights, bicycles [5], shoes, coats, hats, skateboards, laptops [6], clothing, jewelry, CD players and other items. [7]
Criticisms
Be warned that the legal limit on almost every residential road is 6000 pounds. Hummers weigh more than that and are thus illegal to drive in most communities. This law can be enforced and Hummer owners may have to find alternative parking. It is very important to check you local community regulations and those of areas that you intend to drive on a regular basis. http://carfamily.wordpress.com/2007/07/24/is-it-time-for-a-class-action-suit-against-large-suvs/
Even though they are hardly alone among large SUVs in their inefficiency, Hummers are constantly singled out for criticism for their poor fuel economy. For instance, the H2 in one engine configuration averages about 15 MPG on highways, (10 mpg on the street), is large, has relatively high maintenance costs and can be destructive when driven as an off-road vehicle. Environmentalists see Hummers as excessively damaging to the environment. Owing to its over 6000 lb weight it is technically illegal to operate on many streets, a restriction rarely enforced.
In August of 2006, McDonald's rolled out Happy Meals that included toy Hummers [8]. This promotional effort, seen to combine unhealthy fast food with excess oil consumption, was featured at several prominent blogs like Daily Kos [9], AdFreak [10], and others [11] [12] following development of at least one parody site by the Environmental Working Group.
Models
There are three current and possibly two future models in the Hummer line:
- Hummer H1
- Hummer H2
- Hummer H2 SUT
- Hummer H3
- Hummer H3t
- Hummer H3x
- Hummer H3 Alpha
- Hummer H4
See also
- Jeep
- High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (Hum-Vee)
- Lamborghini Cheetah
- Lamborghini LM002
- Toyota Mega Cruiser
- International XT
- Gas guzzler
External links
Company Sites
Criticism Sites
- Hummer H2, The Worst Vehicle Ever Tested
- Hummer Limos Pictures of stretched Hummers.
- FUH2 catalogs photos of people flipping off Hummers.
- Nothin' Dummer Than a Hummer - Peak Oil
- Green Hummer Project
- HummerDinger, maintained by the Sierra Club.
- I Humped Your Hummer hosts submitted videos of people humping Hummers.
- Ronald McHummer, maintained by the Environmental Working Group, an interactive site that satirizes the Hummer/Happy Meal campaign.
- Stupid Hummer Tricks
- StopHummers, Australian site
A brand of General Motors, established 1992 | |
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| Concept vehicles | |
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Automotive brands of General Motors | ||||||||
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