Hummer Guy Hummer News and Opinion from an experienced off-road instructor
One good thing about buying a General Motors vehicle is that you know every single piece of the vehicle has undergone extensive tests for durability and performance. Unfortunately, the way GM conducts that process can take several years which significantly slows down the release of new features and new vehicles. HUMMER is looking to break away from the red tape typical of a large corporation, and will focus on becoming a lean and fast automaker.
“The team is super excited to be set free from a lot of the bureaucracy that always got in the way,” said HUMMER’s lead designer Carl Zipfel at last week’s SEMA show in Las Vegas. “We’ll be able to focus on one brand, and ‘off-road’ will still be the core positioning.”
“[HUMMER’s] business model is to run so much leaner and faster than what we ever could do inside GM,” says Zipfel. “It will be a major part of our strategy going forward.”
When asked if HUMMER’s new business model would get new vehicles (HX/H4) or new powertrains (diesels/hybrids) to the market faster, Zipfel said, “that certainly is the goal.”
Zipfel added that being independent from GM will also allow the brand to “do the right things – things we always knew should be done for HUMMER.”
Even though GM’s sale of HUMMER to Chinese heavy-industrial company Tengzhong isn’t yet complete, the definitive agreement has been signed and we’ve confirmed that development of future HUMMER models is currently underway.
Back in September, HUMMER’s CEO Jim Taylor confirmed that “A vehicle similar to the HX Concept will become a reality. For competitive reasons, I can’t divulge any more details at this time. Once the sale is complete, we will be working feverishly to bring a vehicle extremely close to the concept in design, size and capability to market.”
That is great news. I really hope they don’t change much on the HX/H4. Only thing that has me worried is the fact that it open with..
“One good thing about buying a General Motors vehicle is that you know every single piece of the vehicle has undergone extensive tests for durability and performance. Unfortunately, that process also slows down the release of new features and new vehicles several months or even years. HUMMER is looking to break away from the red tape typical of a large corporation, and will focus on becoming a lean and fast automaker.”
Call me crazy but I don’t want them rushing vehicles to market without stringent quality control and testing!!!???
Gotta agree there… I hope that they take thier time enough that they put quality vehicles out for the consumer; that said, I am extremely happy to hear the Hx is being pushed onward.
There’s a fine line — there are some things I’m willing to sacrifice. Take for example HUMMER’s iPod connector. It took 4 years after the H3 came out to have an accessory option.
Yes, we know it will still operate just fine at -50 degrees Fahrenheit, but do I really need it to? I would have preferred a less-capable unit be available four years ago.
HUMMER will still conduct extensive durability testing, but it just won’t take years and years to complete.
Who cares about quality control. Give me a HX NOW!!!!! 🙂
I hope to see soon the new Hummer Hx !!!!!!! I dreamed for years!
FINALLY!!!! The ridiculously extended development cycle at GM is what kept them fighting to barely keep up with the rest of the automotive world. I’m excited to see what Hummer will be able to accomplish now that they’re out from under the bean-counters at GM. I want a new H2 and an HX, and I want them ASAP!!!
I want a new H2, my wife wants the HX. Can’t wait.