In part five of our six-part series on the Studebaker Avanti, I mentioned a concept the company debuted in the early 2000s, the XUV. A Big Tough Truck styled almost-just-like the crazy popular Hummer H2, consumers weren’t the only party to take notice. Let’s talk lawsuit.
The XUV was introduced during the second to last iteration of Avanti Motors, during the time the firm was based in Georgia and building Camaro (then Mustang) bastardized versions of the Avanti. Seeking to capitalize on the SUV boom, the company trademarked the XUV (Xtreme Utility Vehicle) name, then debuted it early in 2003. With their announcement came the proclamation the XUV would begin production in the fall of 2003.
First shown via a press photo that looked like a painting, the big yellow XUV was poised on rocks, ready to conquer the parking lot at the local Olive Garden. It declared the Avanti company was redefined, restored, and reinvented. The company followed up with a Studebaker display at the 2003 Chicago Auto Show. There, an orange XUV was shown amongst some rocks and parked next to the current Avanti. The date was February 10th.
Word of the XUV’s debut spread to General Motors rather quickly, and the company had a lawsuit in process before the close of the month. GM’s charges were pretty direct: The XUV “knocked off and misappropriated the shape of the Hummer H2.” The lawyer who managed the suit on GM’s side stated “GM won’t allow others to profit from and capitalize upon the enormous popularity and goodwill developed in the Hummer H2 by copying its trade dress.” The claim makes perfect sense to those of you who remember just how hot the H2 was at the time.
By early August 2003, the lawsuit was settled with a couple of very definite wins for GM. Avanti managed to keep itself out of any boiling water, but things were still hot. Avanti had agreed to a permanent injunction: The company was barred from producing any SUV similar to the Hummer H2.
But they still planned to move forward with the XUV, undeterred by this legal action. Their truck would be different – very different – to the Hummer H2. And how? Women, of course. More on that in Part II.
[Image: Avanti Motors]
Ooh, that’s one hell of a faux-Studebaker. On what underpinnings were they planning to build this beast? GM definitely had a good case
We shall see!
This was planned to be built on a Ford F-350 truck platform.
This from the company that declared bankruptcy in 2009.
And could declare bankruptcy again.
At least it didn’t have the 7-slot grill. There have already been a few lawsuits over it.
Was it made by AM General?
Studebaker was in South Bend, and the Hummer factory was one town over to the east in Mishawaka, IN, so possibly?
Speaking of the old Hummer factory, this is from WNDU out of South Bend:
https://www.wndu.com/2020/11/23/new-manufacturer-to-reopen-am-general-plant-in-mishawaka/
Studebaker left South Bend in the late 80s, and moved to Youngstown, Ohio. Before too long they were in Georgia, and then moved down to Mexico.
That’s a lot of change of address forms… I half expect to read a bit later that they can be found in a back alley in Tirana, Albania picking over parts of used Ladas and Fiats to be used in future products.
Can you name the truck with four wheel drive,
smells like a steak and seats thirty-five..
Canyonero! Canyonero!
Well, it goes real slow with the hammer down,
It’s the country-fried truck endorsed by a clown!
Canyonero! (Yah!) Canyonero!
[Krusty:] Hey Hey
The Federal Highway commission has ruled the
Canyonero unsafe for highway or city driving.
Canyonero!
12 yards long, 2 lanes wide,
65 tons of American Pride!
Canyonero! Canyonero!
Top of the line in utility sports,
Unexplained fires are a matter for the courts!
Canyonero! Canyonero! (Yah!)
She blinds everybody with her super high beams,
She’s a squirrel crushing, deer smacking, driving machine!
Canyonero!-oh woah, Canyonero! (Yah!)
Drive Canyonero!
Woah Canyonero!
Woah!
Sergeant Crew: “Anger is what makes America great. But you must find a proper outlet for your rage. Fire a weapon at your TV set, pick a fight with someone weaker than you, or write a threatening letter to a celebrity.”
… or overthrow the government
Hi I’m Troy McClure, you might remember me from such driver’s ed films as “Alice’s Adventures Through the Windshield Glass” and “The Decapitation of Larry Leadfoot”.
…”Man vs. Nature: The Road to Victory”
My fav.
Story is factually wrong in parts.
The only Camaro based Avanti was the AVX convertible in 1997-1998, not built by Avanti Motors.
Additionally two SUV prototypes were built. The current location unknown suspect still in Mexico somewhere
Here’s a very clearly Camaro-based Sport Coupe.
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2002-Avanti-Brochure-2.jpg
Who built this?
Proof that things don’t always go better with coke.
Styling by Bruce McCall