[vasudeva]

I think it was last week that GM said in a conference call that has hired Citibank to advise it on the options for its Hummer brand. GM's spokesman said "We want to work through this as quickly as possible, but we want to make a good decision for the brand".

However, in the present situation, it may be very difficult to sell it. GM's investing in Hummer would would require a great deal of time and money.

[Parm]

if one of these two buy HUMMER brand from GM, is there any possibility that the new owners will pass on the technology to indian consumers and launch a true blooded 4x4 scaled down version for indian market?

just heard on news that both these indian companies along with one russian and chinese companies also in the run.

cheers:

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[Ricky_63]

That is interesting !! There may not be that many takers for a Hummer, but if they launch a Jeep Wrangler / Rubicon, I am sure there'd be more number of buyers. Also it'd be much cheaper, thereby making it affordable.

The big trucks / SUV's have a serious problem in the USA (which is / was the biggest customer) The fuel prices have made people actually realize the value of samller cars there.


Sorry the link I was trying to post did not seem to work, hence I removed it.



Cheers

[abhinav.gupta88]

Wow, this could possibly mean a hummer in india. Waiting for what the companies have in store.

[DKG]

I personally feel there is more brand equity in Hummer than value in their current range of vehicles. If Tata were to acquire it they can easily position the Hummer as a specialised offroad vehicles division catering to militaries around the world and offroading enthusiasts and build a lightweight super focused offroader while LR becomes more the highway SUV for people who want it for all the reasons other than offroading.

As for Mahindra's they should acquire the Jeep brand from Chrysler. Its a perfect fit for them. Major, Rubicon, Scorpio, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee. An offroader/SUV from 5.5 lacs to 30 lacs

[Cyrus43]

You are quite right!! And it could very well become a possibility considering the current state of JEEP.
Also, coming back to the hummer topic, if mahindra buys it, and renames it, then imagine rappers rapping about Mahindras!!

[Tstag]

Originally Posted by DKG

I personally feel there is more brand equity in Hummer than value in their current range of vehicles. If Tata were to acquire it they can easily position the Hummer as a specialised offroad vehicles division catering to militaries around the world and offroading enthusiasts and build a lightweight super focused offroader while LR becomes more the highway SUV for people who want it for all the reasons other than offroading.

As for Mahindra's they should acquire the Jeep brand from Chrysler. Its a perfect fit for them. Major, Rubicon, Scorpio, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee. An offroader/SUV from 5.5 lacs to 30 lacs

TATA needs Hummer like it needs a hole in the head. Land Rover is strong enough to appeal to both hard core offroaders and the Chelsea tractor brigade. It's just that Land Rover need to make offroaders for the developing world as well as the developed.

TATA should focus it's time and money on building JLR, Daimler and maybe Rover up. Rover can become a Ford competitor. Daimler a Rolls Royce beater and JLR can take on BMW and Mercedes. Hummer is just a liability that even GM doesn't want, amazing since it's doing everything possible to keep all it's other brands going!

[madan80]

Originally Posted by DKG

.... As for Mahindra's they should acquire the Jeep brand from Chrysler. Its a perfect fit for them. Major, Rubicon, Scorpio, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee. An offroader/SUV from 5.5 lacs to 30 lacs

As much as an enthusiast knows that the jeep can be a premium vechicle- would a typical indian consumer want to pay 30L for a "Jeep" - a vehicle which still reminds people of diesel fumes in the cabin and uncomfortable seats?

[ronaldfurtado]

Originally Posted by GTO

This is such a typical knee-jerk reaction from GM; I dont know what the heck they were thinking when this news was let out. Hummer is one of the few high value brands that GM has left. It is also one that commands instant recognition and, as has been proven, customers are willing to pay a premium for. Okay, so gas prices are high and everyone is shifting to more economical options. So? Does that mean you get rid of the iconic Hummer brand overnight? Did Mercedes, BMW, Toyota etc. etc. announce that they will stop making their gas guzzling SUV's (of which there are plenty)?

Lets look at what the real problem is:

1. Low Fuel efficiency : Zimple....get a competent diesel! A 3.0ish liter modern common-rail turbo-diesel will give it grunt, as well as become easier on the owners pockets.

2. Size : Focus on engineering, not only loading the slabs of thick gauge metal up. Make the next generation's Hummers lighter and smaller. This will lower the running costs while the smaller size will invite an all new market segment.

3. Lower cost : Going further on point no.2, a lighter, smaller and lesser imposing Hummer will logically result in a lower price point. This will certainly expand the brands market share. Small to midsize SUV's still sell, and are the best selling.

Well its all fine and dandy putting up a 3 litre engine and making it economical with a 150bhp engine...but the point of a hummer is power...
I know americans heck most friends of mine are Americans...and Economical car is like a curse word...

Lower engine power = why would i buy a powerless Hummer when i can buy a toyota yaris which does the same bit (thats the thinking analogy)

Hummer should mean...absolute beast...Road King...Ive never Driven one but i can say that the option of selling this franchise is a farce.

[nithinnarayanan]

So after the Jaguar and the Land Rover its gonna be Hummer !
Who will get the bid The Tata's or the Mahindra's ?

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[mshooli]

Read the article. Was in Economic times today. Wish we can see another indian auto owning a major American brand.

----------------------------
NEW YORK: General Motors is in talks with Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra and automakers in Russia and China about selling its Hummer brand, sources familiar with the matter said. ET had reported on June 6 that GM’s merchant bankers had approached Indian auto biggies, including M&M, for a possible sale of the brand.

However, one source close to the discussions said Mahindra was not very interested at this time as it has plans to launch a small sport utility vehicle in the US market next year. Mahindra would like to launch that SUV under its own brand and has signed up about 250 dealers to distribute the vehicle, the source said. But talks with GM — still in initial stages — were continuing, the source added.

[aerohit]

I hope M&M dont buy Hummer. They may aswell invest their money in R&D, or work something out with Volvo.

Unlike JLR, there is nothing technologically extraordinary about Hummer (except they look cool, which comes and goes out of fashion over time)

In the 21st century, if you are not Fuel-Efficient, you are out of business. Thats it!

Even JLR is going to need to work hard to develop better engines that is required by EU law.

Why Hummer Sucks - FUH2 | **** You And Your H2

[bharanidharang]

GM has reported another massive loss. I guess they would end up selling all their brands

Source: BBC NEWS | Business | Carmaker GM loses another $15.5bn

[GTO]

Lower engine power = why would i buy a powerless Hummer when i can buy a toyota yaris which does the same bit (thats the thinking analogy)

I can assure you that a torquey diesel will be devoid of the "powerless" feel and will deliver on fuel efficiency as well.

[aaggoswami]

Came across this:
GM talks with M&M on Hummer: Report

NEW YORK: General Motors Corp is in talks with Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra to sell its iconic Hummer brand, sources familiar with the matter said.
GM is also in talks with a Russian automaker and a Chinese automaker to sell the brand, the sources said. GM, which has said it will try to raise up to $4 billion in asset sales, has also hired consultants and investment bankers to review the Chinese market for potential buyers of any GM assets, one of the sources said.