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PHOTOGLOU
05-15-2006, 03:11 PM
This communication is a follow-up to today's IDL broadcast announcing the discontinuation of the H1 Alpha. Please refer questions to Jeff Edwards, HUMMER sales director, at 313-665-XXXX. Inquiries from the news media should be sent to Dayna Hart, HUMMER Communications manager at 313-665-XXXX. Thank you.
HUMMER H1 Alpha is its official name, but in 1992 when the HUMMER brand was born and first went on sale to the public, it was simply known as "the HUMMER." Now, fourteen years and nearly 12,000 sales later, the model will cease production at the end of the 2006 model year.
While the H1 was the foundation for the brand, the HUMMER sales continue to grow exponentially around the globe with the introduction of new models, like the H3. Rather than continuing to invest in the exotic, niche-market H1, HUMMER will dedicate its engineering, manufacturing, marketing and dealer resources to bringing more new or significantly revised models to market. AM General, the creator and manufacturer of the HUMMER H1, will focus all of its research and development efforts on continuing to make the finest light tactical vehicles in the world available to the U.S. Armed Forces.
Due to the H1's extreme capability and durability, it helped establish the heritage and extreme off-road credentials consumers associate with the HUMMER brand and H2 and H3 today. Since H1 has an unusually long lifespan (typically up to 15 years), HUMMER owners can continue to depend on HUMMER dealerships to provide warranty repairs, parts and service for their vehicle for many years to come. AM General's military HUMVEE will continue to represent the brand's extremely capable DNA.
AM General, maker of the H1 Alpha, has been converting its assembly lines from retail H1 Alpha production to production of HUMVEE models, which are in high demand by the U.S. Military. AM General and HUMMER/General Motors will continue to work closely together to produce the HUMMER H2, which is manufactured in AMG's Mishawaka, Indiana facility.
History of the model: in 1992 an unprecedented window of opportunity opened, when
production levels of the military HUMVEE decreased. This enabled AM General, using the same assembly line, to build a retail-version of the military HUMVEE, which was sold as the "HUMMER" model. The model name was changed to HUMMER H1 in 2000, after General Motors purchased the marketing rights to the HUMMER name. It became the H1 Alpha in the 2006 model year, and included an improved Duramax 6600 diesel engine, enhanced off-road capability, and improved fuel efficiency and driving comfort on the road.

Ziggy
05-15-2006, 04:13 PM
At the Vegas meeting last week they said the public version of the H1 is discontinued, Armoured military versions still to be built.
Less than a few hundred sales a year of those makes it a smart decision by GM.

Boatcop
05-15-2006, 04:41 PM
Only 12,000 sold in 14 years.
That's like, what, 857 a year. Not exactly a blockbuster sales record. Gas prices were the straw that broke the camels back.

Flying Tiger
05-15-2006, 04:43 PM
Jay,
Whats the Cali situation with GM flex fuel vehicles?
Neighbors moved to Idaho and said it's the BFD there, everyone wants them, and GM is leading the way.
What's the word, what's happening and predicted here in your circles of Biz?

Boatcop
05-15-2006, 05:39 PM
Don't look for practical E85 (flex-fuel) vehicles in California anytime soon.
There are 4 E85 stations in the entire State, and only one of those (San Diego) is available to the public. The other 3 are at private Labs.
E85 Locations (http://www.e85fuel.com/database/search.php)

MagicMtnDan
05-15-2006, 05:43 PM
No one's going to miss the H1. Sales were way down recently. While they're unstoppable offroad you wouldn't want one if there are any trees (can't fit between them :yuk: ) or Jeep trails (they can go anywhere but only one set of wheels can be on the Jeep trail, the others are making their own very bumpy and slow trail :yuk: ).

PHOTOGLOU
05-15-2006, 08:53 PM
Jay,
Whats the Cali situation with GM flex fuel vehicles?
Neighbors moved to Idaho and said it's the BFD there, everyone wants them, and GM is leading the way.
What's the word, what's happening and predicted here in your circles of Biz?
GM is getting the goverment involved as it will cost and average gas station $200,000 to upgrade to be able sell this fuel. It will be a reality and should be in full force be the end of 07 or early 08...... Flip side of the coin.... IT WILL be more expensive but get better gas mileage or be less expensive and get worse gas mileage ( I can't remember which) but will work out the same cost per mile JUST BE ALOT BETTER for the enviroment......

Ziggy
05-15-2006, 09:29 PM
GM is getting the goverment involved as it will cost and average gas station $200,000 to upgrade to be able sell this fuel. It will be a reality and should be in full force be the end of 07 or early 08...... Flip side of the coin.... IT WILL be more expensive but get better gas mileage or be less expensive and get worse gas mileage ( I can't remember which) but will work out the same cost per mile JUST BE ALOT BETTER for the enviroment......
The GM guy heading the E85 effort was just returned from heading GM Brazil where E85 is in full effect...and supposedly all new gm vehicles there are flexfuel capable. :idea:
Worse mileage on the ethenol but using a renewable fuel source...

NashvilleBound
05-16-2006, 03:08 AM
I had an 07 ragtop just waiting for the orders to be okay'd...... then this. I heard this last week. Only building for military.....geeeez....

PHOTOGLOU
05-16-2006, 06:39 AM
The GM guy heading the E85 effort was just returned from heading GM Brazil where E85 is in full effect...and supposedly all new gm vehicles there are flexfuel capable. :idea:
Worse mileage on the ethenol but using a renewable fuel source...
I knew it was one of the 2 :D