Tax Break Keeps Hummer HQ In Detroit
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has announced a ten-year, $20.6m tax break package that will keep the headquarters of Hummer in Detroit after the brand is sold to Chinese firm Sichuan Tenzhong. The Detroit News reports that Hummer will employ 100 workers at its headquarters post-sale, and plans to invest $9.4m over the next five years and hire an additional 200 employees. Negotiations between GM and Sichuan Tenzhong are ongoing. In other Hummer news, a study in the Journal of Consumer Research [via Science Daily] seeks to understand the mentality of the now-rare Hummer driver. And it turns out that, at least in the minds of Hummer drivers, giant SUVs are patriotic.
As we studied American Hummer owners and their ideological beliefs, we found that they consider Hummer driving a highly moral consumption choice. For Hummer owners it is possible to claim the moral high ground… Our analysis of the underlying American identity discourses revealed that being under siege by (moral) critics is an historically established feature of being an American. The moralistic critique of their consumption choices readily inspired Hummer owners to adopt the role of the moral protagonist who defends American national ideals.
Sounds like Hummer will be right at home in Detroit.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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"Team America: World Police" is a work of (perverted) genius that elucidates the absurdity of extremism in today's politics. It's designed to offend anyone who takes sides, and entertain anyone who can see both sides of issues. Highly recommended, but send the kids away, as it is just plain "wrong"! And yes, the Hummer is definitely an automotive example of extremism, to the point of cartoon comedy. 50merc: "I sure hope it’s a cartoon, because when that rocket is ignited the passenger’s head is going to be vaporized…" Nah, that's the jet booster that adorns all of Team America's vehicles after they "valmorphanize" (heh heh)
I'd like to get a tax break for getting a hummer in Detroit. I wonder how often Maximum Bob gets a hummer? And from where? Somewhere along 8 Mile?
I'd never own a Hummer as I'm a Jeep guy, however Hummers just scream America being the best, including big, loud, and full of life. Wasn't that the idea of what the poor communist peasants in the former USSR dreamed of when they thought of coming to America? Just last week while in my lifted Jeep I passed a lovely and shinny red H2, driven by what looked like a successful, hard working aging white guy that bought it because he earned it. I actually smiled and hoped that men like him would still continue to exist in America's future. But I do have my doubts...
If you believe any of the following statements: a) The oil crysis is jist somethin made up by Bin Ladin so he can get richur b) The oil crysis is jist somethin made up by those veggy-lovin hippies c) Thars no such thing as a redneck Then, yes, driving a Hummer is patriotic.