Hummer Guy Hummer News and Opinion from an experienced off-road instructor
General Motors reportedly had two credible offers from American company Raser Technologies to purchase the HUMMER brand prior to its decision to shut down the brand completely. One before GM decided to proceed with a deal to China’s Tengzhong and one after that deal fell apart.
While neither anyone at GM or Raser has been willing to go on the record, we have had contact with sources familiar with the matter that are confirming that in the latest round of HUMMER brand bids, Raser Technology had a very serious and credible offer that for unknown (at least to us) reasons was turned down in favor of shutting the brand down.
Similar sources told The Car Connection that Raser had met nearly all the conditions for a takeover of the HUMMER brand, and that their intention was to eventually turn HUMMER into a ‘green’ brand with the use of plug-in, electric technology.
In 2009, Raser worked directly with General Motors on their construction of a 100 MPG Hybrid H3. General Motors used the project to test the feasibility of an electric powertrain in HUMMER vehicles – which for offroading, has long been the alternative fuel powertrain of choice due to its ability to deliver high levels of low-end torque.
“Prior to the brand’s sale, we began exploratory work on the feasibility of plug-in hybrid technology in a vehicle like the H3,” said HUMMER CEO Jim Taylor during one of HummerGuy.net’s ‘Ask Jim‘ features. “The project included technology from Raser Technologies and vehicle integration from FEV. This vehicle has been touring the country and is undergoing testing of the component durability and packaging. We will continue to study the impact that plug-in hybrid technology has on the durability and vehicle capability in the off-road environment.”
The question today remains, “Why would GM turn down a credible offer from an American company?” Is it because they didn’t want HUMMER to become a green brand – something that under GM they would have never been able to do? Is it because Raser didn’t have experience running a worldwide auto company (neither did Tengzhong)?
We’re working on bringing you the answers – but the deal is so fresh that many aren’t willing to talk.
Un-f******-believable. Thanks GM!
OK, now that all the pieces are coming together, this is whats going to happen……….
1)GM pays back Obama’Gov, releasing them, 100% from all Gov red tape.
2)They become profitable again, publicly traded etc.
3)They bring HUMMER back, BUT this time totally retooled and more of a GREEN off-roading vehicle. Redesigned H3/H3T and H4, maybe even H2.
4)They either hire or buy out Raser for their technology.
5)The NEW HUMMER is launched with all GMC dealerships.
6)Eventually the NEW HUMMER absorbs GMC.
GM will have Chevy, Buick, Cady and HUMMER.
HUMMER “Like Nothing Else, Professional Grade” loooool!
Real question is attaching time frame to each step. 2, 5 years who knows….
For now, I’ll drive around in my new Mica Red 2010 MB C 300 4Matic 🙂
I think all Hummer lovers should punish GM for this. They are killing my brand for no good reason other than likely fearing the competition. I had trouble swallowing a chinese ancestry for my Hummers but I would have accepted it to keep us alive. Now we find out GM had a viable US offer???? Chaps my butt… Obama and his boys will have to answer for this and I’m a loyal Democrat. What an Un-American thing to do to the most recognizable American Made vehicle since the Mustang.
Utter bull####! I live in SA and own a Hummer and enjoy every moment of it. Now, just to find out Government Motors are playing games. Screw GM – I will never buy a vechicle from them again. Keep pushing for answers Hummerguy.
Im gonna move to SVT raptor
Really,f*ck GM, i will never buy it’s cars,HUMMER war my favorite brand, and now it’s over because of their stupid policy!
I think all of us should load up fritz hendersons email box with our disgust.
@panama red
I emailed nick richards, the spokesperson for HUMMER, and asked him if the brand would resurface years down the road if new technologies appear. He said its highly unlikely. Maybe he’s bluffing. I don’t know.
@HummerAddict
SO instead they get nothing for the brand that they will never resurrect!
WOW fantastic business sense, I gotta say, bravo GM Executive F#&k Tards!!!!
I hope the GM tanks……and bring the scum bang Unions with them!
@panama red
I think they were just scared raser would do a better job of marketing and selling trucks. They didn’t want the competition. Its the only thing I can think of as to why the deal is dead.
Sadly, such an acquisition would have saved US jobs and a global network of dealers that were forced to upgrade their dealerships recently at a substantial price. Also, it was an excellent chance to showcase Raser’s powertrain technology which would further showcase the US in a positive light during our “greening age.” Hard to believe the government that bailed them out is allowing GM to thumb their noses at US jobs and green technology when a viable bidder was at the table.
I am sure GM upper management has no idea how far reaching their decisions are affecting people’s perception of the company. But one has to wonder if they even care.
@ESM – Excellent points.
Bad move GM. You leave “my brand” like this you lose my future business.
GM was afraid HUMMER would become 1000 times better than it was when they had it… And that a HUMMER hybrid would steal all of their business from the Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade hybrids… Im never buying GM again!!!
You guys call GM Government Motors. What should we expect? GM is being ran just like our country is being ran. Both are on the downhill slide.
On a positive note… maybe we’ll see GMC H3, H3T & HX. These vehicles are just as green as any other GMC truck out there. And haven’t I seen somewhere that H3 is profitable in Africa and Russia? Wouldn’t make sense to shut down a product that is still making a company money.
@preston
Personally, I could care less now if GM introduced a GMC H3. They pissed me off for the last time.
This is incredible unbelievable. You cannot make this S_ _ T up! Only GM can do this. How is the government letting this happen. The US goverment would rather not have jobs then Hummer? With Hummer going away there are many jobs lost over this and the US Government does not step in. This is just not right. GM has lost a customer for life!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is absolutely infuriating. The government should force GM to make the sale, to not only bolster their cash reserves, and help pay back the tax payers, but also save thousands of jobs!
With a niche brand like Hummer, does GM REALLY need to worry about it being threatening competition?
God damn, all I can say. Looks like I’ll be hanging on to my H2 for a long, long time.
My last six vehicle have been GM products….I can tell you right now, I will never buy a GM product again.
Hey GM. Go f?ck yourself. Oh yeah, I want my tax dollars back.
CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMEN IMMEDIATELY. Tell them you want them to re-evaluate the Raser bid because you want to save American jobs and bolster American innovation.
ADMIN, do some research, make a post, and let all the blogs carry it away. Contact Raser Technologies for some more information. Get the Congressional switchboards in a frenzy, and maybe something will happen.
Didn’t Tesla motors get a government loan/grant for green technologies?
@Brock Samson
x2. Lets do it Brian.
I’ve contacted my congressman already. I’m also sending a letter to GM in the mail tomorrow.
Hey guys, can’t you see the picture. GM’s ball are held by the gov’t. That’s their goal. Get the HUMMER out of the picture, which has a stigma of gus guslers and to be “GREEN” and look good.Like healtcare, whether you like it or not they will do it, as if their concerned
I bet GM is afraid of the competition a Raser Hummer would pose for GM’s own hybrid SUVs.
I would email my congressmen. I’m with Brock and Addict.
I just emailed my congressmen, I’ll also be mailing a letter to GM tomorrow.
I agree! All should contact their congressmen. All HUMMER dealers should do also. I just e-mailed mine.
@admin
Brian, is there a way for you to contact ALL HUMMER dealers to ask them to do this?
hahahahaha what a shame!! government motors what a laugh! fuck it im getting away from hummer and gm all together!!! and maybe buy another tow vehicle hmmmm chrysler? new ram 3500? i will take that over a chevy shitterado or a gmc crapperra any day!!
HUMMER LIKE NOTHING ELSE ….I REALLY LIKE THESE VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED 5 AND STILL OWN TWO .I WILL NEVER BY A GM PRODUCT AGAIN OVER THIS STUFF .WHAT A LET DOWN . I AM ALMOST 60 YEARS OLD AND HAVE PURCHASED AT LEAST THIRTY GM TRUCKS CARS AND SUVS IN MY LIFE TIME .SAVE HUMMER OR BUY A JEEP .NOW MAYBE JEEP WILL BUILD SOMETHING A LITTLE BIGGER ..BY THE WAY I HAVE AN 09 H-2 AND IT GETS 14 MPG MIX IN TOWN AND HIGHWAY MY H-3 08 GET 16-18 MPG BUT ON THE INTERSTATE I GET 15-16 IN MY H-2 WITH 43 POUNDS OF AIR IN THE TIRES AND MOBIL SYNTHETIC OIL AND DRIVING SPEED LIMIT .H-3 GETS 18-20 HIGHWAY MY GMC TRUCK GETS 11 TO 12MPG AND MY JEEP GETS 12-14 BUT THE GREAT GREEN TOYOTA FAKE JEEPS GET AROUND 12-15 MPG THATS A F-J SO WHAT WAS ALL THE NEG ABOUT ANY WAY BY FAR HUMMER WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF 4.00 A GALLON GAS THANKS WASHINGTON D.C. OH BY THE WAY LOOK AT ALL THE PEOPLE OUT OF WORK NOW ..