Hummer opens the door to a big makeover

[Klaus]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>We're exploring a diesel for the next-generation H2<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


http://www.chicagotribune.com/classi...7311402.column


Hummer opens the door to a big makeover
Jim Mateja


November 20, 2003

LAS VEGAS -- The Hummer H1 for '04 gets the "most significant" remake since the decision was made 11 years ago to start marketing the military vehicle to the public.

Yet you'd never know unless you open the door because the changes, such as leather seats, a 10-horsepower boost, to 205, for the 6.5-liter diesel engine and added insulation to reduce cabin noise from the more potent diesel, are on the inside.

Mike DiGiovanni, Hummer general manager, explained why.

"The H1 is an icon. It created the brand. We didn't touch the outside and have no plans to make any significant changes. However, that's not necessarily the case with the H2 and you'll see some changes on the outside with the subsequent next generation," he said at a preview here of the first derivative of the H2 sport-utility, the H2 SUT sport-utility truck that goes on sale in the second quarter of next year as an '05 model.

The Hummer lineup includes H1 and H2 and soon the H2 SUT. A fourth model, the H3, a midsize SUV based on the same platform as the 2004 Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon pickups, is expected for '06.

Perhaps the smaller H3 sport-ute would get a truck version like the H2 will?

"You may see other trucks from Hummer," DiGiovanni said.

The H1 starts at about $105,000 to $116,000, the H2 at about $50,000. H3 will give Hummer a smaller, more fuel efficient, less costly offering estimated around $35,000. But DiGiovanni is mum.

"H3 is on target and the reaction [internally] is positive, but I won't comment," he said.

About a year ago word circulated Hummer might add a vehicle even smaller than the H3. GM insiders dismissed the speculation but Giovanni leaves some doubts.

"We're looking at alternatives beyond the H3 that would be even more affordable and send a message that Hummer wants to be environmentally responsible. There's no reason we can't be more fuel efficient," he said.

"We're exploring a diesel for the next-generation H2 as well as exploring gas-electric hybrids and fuel cells. I'm enamored with full cells," he said.

Of course, that doesn't answer whether there'll be a vehicle smaller than the H3 or whether Hummer will obtain the promised mileage gains by offering diesel or hybrid engines on existing models. Stay tuned.

Price is right: Nissan priced its new for '04 full-size Titan pickup at $22,400 for the base King Cab 4x2, $25,100 for the base Crew Cab 4x2, $31,900 for the top-of-the-line King Cab 4x4 and $34,200 for the top-of-the-line Crew Cab 4x4. Add $650 freight to each.

Those prices run $2,600 to $3,000 less than comparable Ford F-150 or Dodge Ram 4x2 models and $3,000 to $3,500 less than comparable Ford or Dodge 4x4s.

By undercutting the domestics, Nissan hasn't left much of a cushion to offer incentives, like the domestics have.

"We tried to put a level of sanity in pricing so that we wouldn't have to go the incentive route and logic prevails," said Jed Connelly, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Nissan. "We hope consumers see the value of our pricing and that transaction prices come close to the MSRP [manufacturers suggested retail price]."

Nissan forecast sales of 100,000 units annually, but the pricing strategy suggests it might be targeting more than that.

"Nothing would please us more than to build more, but we are confident at reaching 100,000 units and will stick with that number," Connelly said.

Not too specific: John Coletti, director of Special Vehicle Team programs for Ford, proved a man of few words when asked when the next generation (5.4-liter, 500-h.p., supercharged V-8 up from the current 5.4-liter, 380-h.p., naturally aspirated V-8) SVT Lightning pickup would appear.

"When it's scheduled to debut," he replied.

And when is it scheduled to debut?

"When it's ready," he replied.

Coletti noted that the next generation Lightning had to wait for the next generation F-150 to arrive for '04, just like the next-generation Mustang SVT awaits the next-generation Mustang for '05.

High-performance SUV: Mark Reuss, executive director of GM's year-old performance division, said next up will be a Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS for 2006 based on the concept shown at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in '02. The SS will feature a "Corvette-inspired" V-8, 20-inch wheels and a lowered suspension.

At this year's SEMA show GM unveiled performance Xtreme renditions of the Saturn Vue, Chevy Aveo and Chevy Malibu with such features as custom ground effects, spoilers, larger tires and turbocharged or supercharged engines.

"These aren't just appearance packages. Take a close look at them--and the powertrains. We brought them to SEMA for a reason," Reuss said.

[Klaus]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>We're exploring a diesel for the next-generation H2<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


http://www.chicagotribune.com/classi...7311402.column


Hummer opens the door to a big makeover
Jim Mateja


November 20, 2003

LAS VEGAS -- The Hummer H1 for '04 gets the "most significant" remake since the decision was made 11 years ago to start marketing the military vehicle to the public.

Yet you'd never know unless you open the door because the changes, such as leather seats, a 10-horsepower boost, to 205, for the 6.5-liter diesel engine and added insulation to reduce cabin noise from the more potent diesel, are on the inside.

Mike DiGiovanni, Hummer general manager, explained why.

"The H1 is an icon. It created the brand. We didn't touch the outside and have no plans to make any significant changes. However, that's not necessarily the case with the H2 and you'll see some changes on the outside with the subsequent next generation," he said at a preview here of the first derivative of the H2 sport-utility, the H2 SUT sport-utility truck that goes on sale in the second quarter of next year as an '05 model.

The Hummer lineup includes H1 and H2 and soon the H2 SUT. A fourth model, the H3, a midsize SUV based on the same platform as the 2004 Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon pickups, is expected for '06.

Perhaps the smaller H3 sport-ute would get a truck version like the H2 will?

"You may see other trucks from Hummer," DiGiovanni said.

The H1 starts at about $105,000 to $116,000, the H2 at about $50,000. H3 will give Hummer a smaller, more fuel efficient, less costly offering estimated around $35,000. But DiGiovanni is mum.

"H3 is on target and the reaction [internally] is positive, but I won't comment," he said.

About a year ago word circulated Hummer might add a vehicle even smaller than the H3. GM insiders dismissed the speculation but Giovanni leaves some doubts.

"We're looking at alternatives beyond the H3 that would be even more affordable and send a message that Hummer wants to be environmentally responsible. There's no reason we can't be more fuel efficient," he said.

"We're exploring a diesel for the next-generation H2 as well as exploring gas-electric hybrids and fuel cells. I'm enamored with full cells," he said.

Of course, that doesn't answer whether there'll be a vehicle smaller than the H3 or whether Hummer will obtain the promised mileage gains by offering diesel or hybrid engines on existing models. Stay tuned.

Price is right: Nissan priced its new for '04 full-size Titan pickup at $22,400 for the base King Cab 4x2, $25,100 for the base Crew Cab 4x2, $31,900 for the top-of-the-line King Cab 4x4 and $34,200 for the top-of-the-line Crew Cab 4x4. Add $650 freight to each.

Those prices run $2,600 to $3,000 less than comparable Ford F-150 or Dodge Ram 4x2 models and $3,000 to $3,500 less than comparable Ford or Dodge 4x4s.

By undercutting the domestics, Nissan hasn't left much of a cushion to offer incentives, like the domestics have.

"We tried to put a level of sanity in pricing so that we wouldn't have to go the incentive route and logic prevails," said Jed Connelly, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Nissan. "We hope consumers see the value of our pricing and that transaction prices come close to the MSRP [manufacturers suggested retail price]."

Nissan forecast sales of 100,000 units annually, but the pricing strategy suggests it might be targeting more than that.

"Nothing would please us more than to build more, but we are confident at reaching 100,000 units and will stick with that number," Connelly said.

Not too specific: John Coletti, director of Special Vehicle Team programs for Ford, proved a man of few words when asked when the next generation (5.4-liter, 500-h.p., supercharged V-8 up from the current 5.4-liter, 380-h.p., naturally aspirated V-8) SVT Lightning pickup would appear.

"When it's scheduled to debut," he replied.

And when is it scheduled to debut?

"When it's ready," he replied.

Coletti noted that the next generation Lightning had to wait for the next generation F-150 to arrive for '04, just like the next-generation Mustang SVT awaits the next-generation Mustang for '05.

High-performance SUV: Mark Reuss, executive director of GM's year-old performance division, said next up will be a Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS for 2006 based on the concept shown at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in '02. The SS will feature a "Corvette-inspired" V-8, 20-inch wheels and a lowered suspension.

At this year's SEMA show GM unveiled performance Xtreme renditions of the Saturn Vue, Chevy Aveo and Chevy Malibu with such features as custom ground effects, spoilers, larger tires and turbocharged or supercharged engines.

"These aren't just appearance packages. Take a close look at them--and the powertrains. We brought them to SEMA for a reason," Reuss said.

[Buckeye Hummer]

I have the '03 H1 and love the interior. The new interior although more useful is a little mushy for my tastes. I did hear they added a front locker as an option (that is cool). I have the eaton e-locker in the rear and it makes a HUGE difference. I have yet to run in to a situation where I would need the locker in the front with the H1.

[HUMMERDOGG]

A diesel would be a welcome addition. Where can I sign up?

-HUMMERDOGG

TROLL POACHER (I hunt trolls even if it ain't troll hunting season...)

TROLL TAXIDERMIST (For those of you who get to them before I can. I provide this service free of charge...)