Study Says: Huge Unserved Demand For HUMMER

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

I’m not supposed to let you in on our inner workings, but here is something I wanted to share with you for quite a while: There is a huge grassroots movement that wants the HUMMER back. How do we know this?

Well, we are keeping tabs on you, dear reader. Whenever someone types a term into a search engine like Google, and the search leads to us, our server records it and gives us the most used search words. Usually, “ttac”, “truth about cars”, or “the truth about cars” rank highest. Only incorrigible geeks like me would still type in http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com.

For several months now, we have noted an odd phenomenon: There are ever increasing searches for “hummer”. Yesterday, “hummer” was on position 4, behind “ttac”, “the truth about cars”, and “truth about cars”.

Today as I type this, “hummer” leads the list.

It gets odder: There is an old story from the dog days of 2009, titled “ Hummer to China. Why In The World?” Again and again, this ancient story ranks amongst the most requested stories of the day. Over the years, this must be one of our most requested stories (we don’t have THAT good a server that keeps tabs on this.) But we have a nifty graph engine that shows us the interest in a story. You see the needle moving when the story was published, then it dies down, and whammo! an explosion of requests.

A lot of people seem to suddenly lust for a Hummer. But why? Any ideas?

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

More by Bertel Schmitt

Comments
Join the conversation
5 of 30 comments
  • Jasper911 Jasper911 on Dec 31, 2010

    If they only knew that the bad ass four wheel drive the old guy down the street had was an International Scout! And no, they'll never make anything that cool again!

  • Stingray Stingray on Dec 31, 2010

    And there will continue to be. I lost count of how many Hummer toy cars I have found this X-mas. They range from the copy with the grille flipped down, to the licensed ones. So, I guess many kids around the world are dreaming about this things instead of a Prius, which is a good thing if you ask me. I even considered buying my son a power wheels style one, I didn't because I'll move and can't bring it. I will, in 2011. His uncle gave him a small R/C one. In many countries people want Hummers. Here in Venezuela it would have been a hit. GM was even going to import it because of the amount brought by individuals and take the prices down. Mr. Chavez however, had other idea. He didn't turned his eye to Toyota and its FJ. The thing is already a classic. And I don't understand why GM closed that brand. I could even use an H3, with a diesel or Alpha I-6/I-5 turbo and stuff. They look cool in yellow.

  • Robert.Walter Robert.Walter on Dec 31, 2010

    Owners are already searching for parts cars?

  • Lokkii Lokkii on Jan 01, 2011

    GM closed Hummer down because they really have no idea how to run a botique brand, and anything that sell less than 500k a year is botique to them.

    • Ronnie Schreiber Ronnie Schreiber on Jan 03, 2011

      I think the only GM vehicle that sells more than 500K units/yr is the Silverado.

Next