GMC Hummer Reveal Scheduled for World Series
While General Motors still plans on debuting its all-electric Hummer on October 20th in a live-stream event catering to industry watchers and EV super fans, it will also be dipping into its marketing budget to give those watching the first game of Major League Baseball’s World Series a glimpse of the beast.
Two weeks from now, the automaker will pull the trigger on a synchronous media extravaganza guaranteed to place the electric behemoth in front of as many eyes as possible. In addition to the official debut and Fox’ baseball slot, GM has also purchased time during NBC’s The Voice — which is estimated to draw in around 9 million viewers when it returns for its 19th season.
Considering the pandemic nullified any hope of there being a normal debut for the model, this is likely a wise decision. But we’re not so certain the Hummer EV boasts the mass appeal warranting a coordinated media offensive quite so grand. Electric vehicles have yet to achieve mainstream acceptance and the upcoming SUV is certainly a curious creature. Hummer (or at least the H1) is synonymous with being highly capable off-road and almost miraculously fuel inefficient. But, unless you’re keeping tabs on where/how its electricity is produced, the new model doesn’t depend on fossil fuels at all.
While that’s the main difference between the new breed and its predecessor, some have augured that the hulking EV might not excel at off-road ventures and be too heavy to see desirable ranges. We can’t speak to those fretting over range anxiety but we do know GMC is outfitting it with a “ crab mode” that allows it to move diagonally — indicating four-wheel steering at lower speeds. It’s also supposed to be available with up to 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque when equipped appropriately. That should be enough to turn more than a few heads, especially when it equates to a zero-to-60 time of just 3 seconds.
If your curiosity has been piqued by the above, an extended and uncut preview will be available at GMC.com on October 20th at 8:00 PM (ET). Otherwise, you can settle into the couch and come across a condensed version on any number of channels (both on and offline) at roughly the same time.
[Image: General Motors]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Prediction: GMC will get more than a few reservations for these. [Speaking of which, I wonder where they got the idea to offer advance reservations?]
Madam Presidents: Kamela “B.J.” Harris and Mary “Hummer” Berra. America this is you Future!