H3 News Release

[Drag]

GM rolls out baby Hummer concept

Saab 9-2X also tries to draw younger buyers

By Ed Garsten / The Detroit News


David Guralnick / The Detroit News

The H3T has its share of gee whiz features, such as hood-mounted cameras.


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WARREN — Hummer and Saab have a new recipe to grow sales — offer smaller products to attract younger buyers. Both General Motors Corp. units plan to introduce all-new, less expensive models during January’s Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.

The Saab 9-2X is a production vehicle; the Hummer H3T is a concept.

Hummer first hit the market with the gargantuan H1, a civilized version of the military Humvee, then introduced the smaller H2 in 2002. It plans to sell an even smaller Hummer called the H3 in 2005.

The H3T is a pickup concept version of the H3. It isn’t built on a Hummer platform, but on the same underpinnings as GM’s new midsize pickups — the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.

"We’re not looking to create mama, papa and baby bear Hummers," said Clay Dean, design director for small trucks and Hummer.

But the automaker is looking to milk its latest truck franchise and draw younger buyers to the brand, where the typical owner is now 45.

"We continue to explore a lot of other opportunities for Hummer," said new GM design chief Ed Welburn. "We’re looking at a smaller Hummer, more efficient, more affordable Hummer and how to appeal to a much younger market."

Hummer worked with athletic wear and equipment giant Nike Inc. to design the interior and exterior of the latest concept. Its 34-inch tall ACG TA tires resemble round hiking shoes with different colored areas denoting traction pad and sand paddles.

The H3T’s seats are made of special lightweight material, the same fabric Nike uses in specialized athletic wear that can cool or warm the body naturally.

Like most concept vehicles, the H3T has its share of gee whiz features, such as hood-mounted cameras for recording one’s off-road exploits. The pickup box includes side-access doors and drop-down steps that double as weather-tight storage compartments.

A power-operated folding canvas sunroof and drop-down rear window are there to provide an open air driving experience.

The 4-wheel drive H3T is powered by a 350 horsepower turbocharged version of GM’s new Vortec 3500 inline five-cylinder engine.

GM plans to gauge reaction to the H3T from auto show attendees in Los Angeles, one of the nation’s biggest Hummer markets, Dean said. But, he said, if it does go into production, the H3T would most likely not be a complete duplicate of the concept version.

A pickup version of the H2, called the H2 SUT, will go on sale during the 2005 model year.

Hummer may not be out to create the equivalent of the fictional three bears in building progressively smaller versions, but it could be a savvy strategy in building sales for the growing family of vehicles.

"It will fill out their product line with variations," said Mike Wall, an analyst with Farmington Hills-based consultants CSM Worldwide. "They may have an opportunity for a little more of a volume bump and start bringing in folks coming from the Colorado and Canyon at a premium."

Saab is also on the prowl for customers who may have considered the brand out of their reach.

With the 2005 9-2X, Saab is the latest premium brand to head down market and dive into sub-$25,000 territory.

Based on the Subaru Impreza WRX, the five-door 9-2X sports a hatchback, all-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission. An automatic four-speed transmission is optional.

The top-of-the-line 9-2X Aero is powered by a turbocharged, two-liter, high-performance double overhead cam engine that produces 227 horsepower.

A 2.5-liter engine producing 165 horsepower provides the locomotion in the 9-2X Linear. Pricing has not yet been released, but GM says the 9-2X will start below $25,000 when it goes on sale in the United States and Canada on July 1, 2004.

"The Saab 9-2X is a milestone in expanding our model range and our customer base," said Peter Augustsson, Saab president and chief executive officer. "We see a rapidly emerging segment in the United States for a premium small car below the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan."

The 9-3 is priced from $26,765-$43,175, joining other premium brands in the sub-$30,000 price range in hopes of luring younger customers who can’t quite afford their higher priced bread-and-butter products.

BMW AG’s 3-series starts at $27,800, the Mercedes-Benz C-class begins as low as $25,300 and the Audi A4 has a base price of $25,940.

For BMW and Mercedes, the move so far down market could pose a dangerous threat to their cache as aspirational brands, but for Saab, it may be a sound strategy, says one analyst.

"For Saab, I think this makes sense," said George Petersen, president of Tustin, Calif.-based consultants AutoPacific. "It’s been starved for product and hasn’t had an affordable product in its lineup. It will help boost volume."

The introduction of the 9-2X comes on the heels of September’s launch of the Saab 9-3 convertible, as the Sweden-based automaker seeks to maintain 2003’s strong sales pace.

Through November, U.S. sales of Saab vehicles are up 27 percent from the same period a year ago, mainly on the strength of the 9-3. In November, Saab sales soared 35 percent.

You can reach Ed Garsten at (313)223-3217 or egarsten@detnews.com


This article was taken from the Detroit News Online

Yes, this is my truck. No, I will NOT help you move.

[Drag]

GM rolls out baby Hummer concept

Saab 9-2X also tries to draw younger buyers

By Ed Garsten / The Detroit News


David Guralnick / The Detroit News

The H3T has its share of gee whiz features, such as hood-mounted cameras.


Comment on this story
Send this story to a friend
Get Home Delivery


WARREN — Hummer and Saab have a new recipe to grow sales — offer smaller products to attract younger buyers. Both General Motors Corp. units plan to introduce all-new, less expensive models during January’s Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.

The Saab 9-2X is a production vehicle; the Hummer H3T is a concept.

Hummer first hit the market with the gargantuan H1, a civilized version of the military Humvee, then introduced the smaller H2 in 2002. It plans to sell an even smaller Hummer called the H3 in 2005.

The H3T is a pickup concept version of the H3. It isn’t built on a Hummer platform, but on the same underpinnings as GM’s new midsize pickups — the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.

"We’re not looking to create mama, papa and baby bear Hummers," said Clay Dean, design director for small trucks and Hummer.

But the automaker is looking to milk its latest truck franchise and draw younger buyers to the brand, where the typical owner is now 45.

"We continue to explore a lot of other opportunities for Hummer," said new GM design chief Ed Welburn. "We’re looking at a smaller Hummer, more efficient, more affordable Hummer and how to appeal to a much younger market."

Hummer worked with athletic wear and equipment giant Nike Inc. to design the interior and exterior of the latest concept. Its 34-inch tall ACG TA tires resemble round hiking shoes with different colored areas denoting traction pad and sand paddles.

The H3T’s seats are made of special lightweight material, the same fabric Nike uses in specialized athletic wear that can cool or warm the body naturally.

Like most concept vehicles, the H3T has its share of gee whiz features, such as hood-mounted cameras for recording one’s off-road exploits. The pickup box includes side-access doors and drop-down steps that double as weather-tight storage compartments.

A power-operated folding canvas sunroof and drop-down rear window are there to provide an open air driving experience.

The 4-wheel drive H3T is powered by a 350 horsepower turbocharged version of GM’s new Vortec 3500 inline five-cylinder engine.

GM plans to gauge reaction to the H3T from auto show attendees in Los Angeles, one of the nation’s biggest Hummer markets, Dean said. But, he said, if it does go into production, the H3T would most likely not be a complete duplicate of the concept version.

A pickup version of the H2, called the H2 SUT, will go on sale during the 2005 model year.

Hummer may not be out to create the equivalent of the fictional three bears in building progressively smaller versions, but it could be a savvy strategy in building sales for the growing family of vehicles.

"It will fill out their product line with variations," said Mike Wall, an analyst with Farmington Hills-based consultants CSM Worldwide. "They may have an opportunity for a little more of a volume bump and start bringing in folks coming from the Colorado and Canyon at a premium."

Saab is also on the prowl for customers who may have considered the brand out of their reach.

With the 2005 9-2X, Saab is the latest premium brand to head down market and dive into sub-$25,000 territory.

Based on the Subaru Impreza WRX, the five-door 9-2X sports a hatchback, all-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission. An automatic four-speed transmission is optional.

The top-of-the-line 9-2X Aero is powered by a turbocharged, two-liter, high-performance double overhead cam engine that produces 227 horsepower.

A 2.5-liter engine producing 165 horsepower provides the locomotion in the 9-2X Linear. Pricing has not yet been released, but GM says the 9-2X will start below $25,000 when it goes on sale in the United States and Canada on July 1, 2004.

"The Saab 9-2X is a milestone in expanding our model range and our customer base," said Peter Augustsson, Saab president and chief executive officer. "We see a rapidly emerging segment in the United States for a premium small car below the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan."

The 9-3 is priced from $26,765-$43,175, joining other premium brands in the sub-$30,000 price range in hopes of luring younger customers who can’t quite afford their higher priced bread-and-butter products.

BMW AG’s 3-series starts at $27,800, the Mercedes-Benz C-class begins as low as $25,300 and the Audi A4 has a base price of $25,940.

For BMW and Mercedes, the move so far down market could pose a dangerous threat to their cache as aspirational brands, but for Saab, it may be a sound strategy, says one analyst.

"For Saab, I think this makes sense," said George Petersen, president of Tustin, Calif.-based consultants AutoPacific. "It’s been starved for product and hasn’t had an affordable product in its lineup. It will help boost volume."

The introduction of the 9-2X comes on the heels of September’s launch of the Saab 9-3 convertible, as the Sweden-based automaker seeks to maintain 2003’s strong sales pace.

Through November, U.S. sales of Saab vehicles are up 27 percent from the same period a year ago, mainly on the strength of the 9-3. In November, Saab sales soared 35 percent.

You can reach Ed Garsten at (313)223-3217 or egarsten@detnews.com


This article was taken from the Detroit News Online

Yes, this is my truck. No, I will NOT help you move.