Autoblog: "Retail Issues Aside, HUMMER Still Offers Capable Vehicles With a High Level of Style"
Retail issues aside? Like, um, the fact that GM's pulled the plug on the brand, assuring depreciation that would give a Maserati buyer the Willies? While I have no doubt that Autoblog's Dan Roth would tell us if he had someone in the HUMMER business, I also have no doubt that if he did, that person would be well pleased with Dan's blog on the doomed maker of militaristic SUVs. "Moving product is a tremendous challenge when the bobbleheads on the nightly news continue shrilly about the price of fuel and you've got a lot full of low-mpg, high weight trucks that happen to be a favorite target of vandals euphemistically masquerading as 'activists.' Customers that do make it through the door are looking for deals, and HUMMER will spot you five thousand bucks to take an H3, PLEASE." In other words, it's a great time to buy! "If you've got a boat to pull, and want to look like the Governator, an H2 could still be just the thing, and now you'll be able to find one for a song; most likely the blues." As Dave Edmunds sang, "Everything's wrong but nothing is right."
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I drove an H3 a year or so back offroad on some pretty tough trails (steep rocky ascents and descents with lots of loose stuff), river crossings, etc, and it is very capable offroad. They've done a couple of quiet clever little tricks like using the ABS to replicate a proper rear diff-lock (when the computer picks up wheelspin it applies the brake slightly on the tractionless wheel to send power to the wheel with traction). On the road its as fast as an obese snail. And offroad chops or not, it's a very big truck with piss-all interior space, and shocking visbility. And its looks will always count against it - it makes you look like a rapper/gangsta wannabe, or like you're trying to hard. Or both. So the handful of pose-jockeys will buy it because they have to, and everyone else will run a mile because they know they'll look like arses. A bit like 300C owners.
Jeep's most popular offroader is the Wrangler. Most people don't take them offroad. In the meantime, the top comes off. The doors come off. Outdoorsy, fun, young image. The H3 is Hummer's best selling vehicle. Most people don't take them offroad. The top does not come off. The doors do not come off. Has commercials of moms getting pushed aside at the playground then going and buying one to feel like less of a loser. I wonder that if Hummer had intro'ed the H3 first, maybe they would not have such a negative stigma attached to their brand. Then again, their marketing seems to say "I was a wimp but now I drive an H3 so now I'm not", and I don't know who exactly that would appeal to.
rpenna- Isn't the Liberty Jeep's most popular vehicle? I would also guess that more Wranglers get taken off road than any other 4X4, SUV, or Truck. Unfortunately, off roading is easier said than done and just turning off the highway into the dirt usually results in either gunshots or being arrested. RF- OK, I kind of hope that HUMMER as a brand is dead because I would like to see the H3 turned into the new Chevy Blazer.