Flash Off-Road

Old Gossip and Rumors

H4 in 2008 10/26/2005

General Motors’ future product plan includes a back-to-basics, go-anywhere Hummer H4 to compete with the Jeep Wrangler. It could be on sale by 2008 or 2009.

A GM source confirms the company is looking for ways of making a small Hummer on its various sport/utility vehicle and pickup platforms. GM engineers and designers are working on the project, but a chassis for the vehicle has yet to be selected. One possibility is a two-seater, focused on the most rugged off-roading possible, similar to the Hummer dune buggy we illustrated earlier this year.

H2 - H3 10/24/2005

GM intends to offer V-8 and diesel versions of the mid-sized H3 SUV.

Two sources inside GM say the automaker is in the early stages of preparing to offer an H3 with a 5.3-liter V-8. "It's another couple of years out," said one source at GM, who asked to not be named. Hummer will add a diesel engine to the H3 later, the source said.

At the Dealer Business Conference in Las Vegas last week, GM executives told Hummer dealers that 150 special editions of the full-sized H2 will be built in the first quarter of next year. Those vehicles will offer more "bling" factor than the regular H2s. The special editions will feature at least two new colors: Pacific Blue and Fusion Orange, Hummer also vowed to remedy blind spots in the H2 by installing rear-view cameras in the special-edition models.

Kascar buys Surplus Enterprizes 7/15/2005

I knew this was in the works for quite some time now.. now its official... I received a letter regarding the sale / retirement of George from Surplus Enterprizes and the parts equipt will be moved to become the assets of Kascar.

7/12/2005 The Official Word

Due to budget constraints, GM will NOT be providing a support trailer at Hummer Club, Inc. events for the H2 and H3. We have known for about 4 months. I am sure you read the papers so you know of GM's financial situation. HOWEVER, AM General will still be providing a support trailer and tech personnel for the H1's. As you may have noticed, a local GM/HUMMER dealer is present at our events to provide technical assistance. AM General has graciously offered to share the use of their support trailer with the tech personnel from the local dealerships that support our events. Rest assured that GM continues to support its customers and warranty work and whenever possible, will be in attendance at our off-road events.

7/11/2005

I've heard that Members of the National Hummer club and or H2 owners received a letter from the new product manager at GM / Hummer saying that factory mechanical support for H2's and H3's will not be available at Club Events. AMG who supports warranties for the H1's hasn't said that they will discontinue mechanical support at events.

3/7/2005

I just posted some new pictures of an H3 that has been roaming around the country being tested. Check it out!

HUMMER Enhances Warranty Coverage On 2006 Models   
Detroit, Mich. - GM's HUMMER brand announced today that it is enhancing the warranty on all of its 2006 model year vehicles to a four years or 50,000 miles. HUMMER products previously were covered by GM's standard three-year/36,000-mile warranty plan. The move to a four-year/50,000-mile plan is consistent with that of many of the industry's top premium brands, including Cadillac.

3/2/2005

Auburn Gear ECTED Switchable Locker

Yes, you heard correctly, we are close to having the ECTED AMC 20 available.  You should see this on our website before the end of this quarter. 1st qtr 2005? www.auburngear.com

Thank you for your interest in our product and please let us know if we can further assist you.

Nancy
Inside Sales Rep.


The ECTED is a Limited Slip and Locker all in one differential!Sounds the same as the Eaton locker offered by AMG. The ECTED provides the user with a selectable limited slip or locker mode. Switched "off" for street and trail use it performs like a performance limited slip differential. Switched "on" for the nastiest off road terrain, it turns into a fully locked differential. The ECTED unit does not require any external pneumatic or hydraulic connections. In fact, the ECTED has been developed in several sizes and has been designed to fit within many current OEM axles without modification except for a wire entrance hole.

2/7/2005
In the past, dealers were required to have an H1 on display, this is no longer the case.  About 30 dealers have chosen not to order any H1 Alphas.
12/2004
Auburn may be coming out with an electrical locker for the H1 next year.
11/15/2004
For 2005 dealers will again be required to host 4 Hummer Happenings (only 2 were required in '04) but no off-road events will be required (in '03 2 of the events had to be off-road).

The New H1 Alpha and Hummer H3 Introduced 10/27/2004

The New H1 Alpha with the Duramax diesel and the Hummer H3 were introduced at an auto show in Anaheim CA today. More info to come.

Starcraft and AM General Form Second Stage Manufacturing Company to Enhance Hummer Vehicles October 25, 2004

Press Release:

GOSHEN, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 2004--Tecstar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Starcraft Corporation of Goshen, Indiana, and AM General LLC, headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, have formed a joint venture company to provide second-stage manufacturing capabilities and design and engineering expertise for low volume OEM needs.

The new venture, named Amstar LLC, will offer a full line of aftermarket accessories that complement the General Motors special equipment packages available for the HUMMER® enthusiast. Amstar will offer a range of products that will enhance performance, appearance and the rugged off-road experience for HUMMER owners. These packages will be available through HUMMER dealers.

Amstar, a 50-50 joint venture of Tecstar and AM General, has been awarded its initial program to produce a special-edition HUMMER H2®. Building on the H2's success, Amstar, in cooperation with General Motors, has taken the best-in-class SUV and incorporated more features and accessories to create a special package designed for the HUMMER enthusiast. The joint venture partners estimate that the venture, starting in July 2005, will generate revenues in excess of $5 million annually from its Fort Wayne, Indiana location.

Eaton Locker Kits Are Available 10/10/2004

I know many people have been waiting for AMG to release the Eaton electrical locker retro fit. AMG Part number: 5745798 price $4594.92. However the spec time for installation is 11.8 hours which mostly involves replacing 2 diffs. The installed price at a dealer is going to be around 6000.00. When you do the diffs do the brakes since they will be off the truck.

From the bulletin: they are only available for 1999-200X. This is probably because the switch interface to ensure that the lockers are not engaged at the wrong time only was designed for the newer computers (ecm). Another minor factor is that the differential gear ratio goes from 2.73:1 to 2.56:1 in 1998. If you are replacing both diffs on an older truck the ratio change won't make much of a difference. You will have to recalibrate your speedometer and possibly make a change in the ecm programming it you have a pre 98 turbo diesel.

Kit includes: front and rear Diffs. Control modules, switches, wiring/indicator light assembly, and all the wiring hardware and installation instructions.

Hummer Club Boad Members Resign 9/28/2004

Chris Labaw and Henry Smith have resigned from the board of directors of the National Hummer Club. Evidently there are irreconcilable differences. In light of this a new club seems to be emerging in the eastern part of the country called ECHO (east coast hummer owners).

No More Hummer Happenings this year 9/16/2004

GM has told dealers that due to decrease in recent sales and a few other factors going on, they (the dealers) would not be held accountable for any further Hummer Happenings in the year 2004. They are dropping the off road requirement for the rest of the year and
revamping the entire system for next year.

2006 Hummer H1 Features 9/06/2004

Base price open top 126,000 / loaded 130,000 Wagon 137,000 / loaded 142,000
Durmax 320 HP 520 lb ft Torque Engine
Allison 5speed Automatic Transmission with Overdrive ( can be disengaged )
10% Better Fuel Economy
51.5 Gallon Fuel capacity ( 29.5 gal main & 22 gal aux )
Eaton Front & Rear Lockers
Transmission Temp. Gauge
Fuel Air Cooler
1.5 Decibels Quieter that previous model year H1
2" Higher Body Stance
12" Brake Rotors ( Previous models had 10.7" )
Faster 0 - 60 MPH time 13.5 seconds ( Previous models 16.5 seconds )
17,300 lbs GCW Rating
New Radiator Support Angles for better cooling
New Angled Cut Geared Hubs for quieter braking noise
Stronger Steering Gear and half shafts
New HD Front Squared Tubular Brush Guard
New Front & Rear Prop Shafts
Exhaust Gas Re-circulating Cooler
New colors: Flame Red Metallic (R35) & Mystic Green Metallic (G38)
1st Units arrive in March 2005
Maximum world wide production number is 750 units
Available in Open Top or Wagon models

Ron Bomhoff Resigns from the Board of Directors of the Hummer Club, Inc.

Friday August 13, 2004

GM appoints new U.S. and Hummer marketing heads
Friday August 13, 2004



DETROIT, Aug 13 (Reuters) - General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM - News) on Friday
appointed a new head of marketing and advertising for North America and a new marketing chief at its Hummer brand, which has seen a double-digit decline in sales this year.
Mark LaNeve, general manager of marketing for GM's Cadillac division since 2001, will take over as vice president of marketing and advertising for North America effective Sept. 1, the world's largest automaker said in a statement.

It said LaNeve, who has overseen a recent rebound in Cadillac sales, was replacing John Middlebrook, who becomes vice president of global sales, service and marketing operations.

GM also said Susan Doherty, a former head of marketing for Cadillac's hot-selling Escalade sport utility vehicles, had been named divisional marketing general manager for Hummer.

Sales of the bulky, gas-guzzling Hummer H1 and H2 SUVs are down 22 percent this year. A new, mid-size and relatively fuel efficient Hummer H3 makes it debut next year.

Doherty replaces Mike DiGiovanni, who is moving on to a newly created position as head of strategic marketing, GM said.

AMG Sold August 10, 2004

NEW YORK, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Billionaire financier Ronald Perelman is close to entering a joint venture to give him operating control of AM General Corp., which makes the Humvee military vehicle and its civilian offshoot, the Hummer truck, the Wall Street Journal said on Tuesday.

The deal values AM General at about $935 million, the newspaper said, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. Barring any last-minute hitches, the pact could be completed as early as Tuesday, it said, citing the people.

Lawyers on Monday were working on the venture between Perelman's MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. and Renco Group (News - Websites) Inc., the private holding company that controls AM General, the newspaper said. Both firms are based in New York.

Renco is led by veteran dealmaker Ira Rennert, who took over South Bend, Indiana-based AM General for $133 million in 1992.

Hummer releases it's prototype H3SUT
August 10, 2004

Press Release HUMMER Looks to the Future
July 27, 2004

Coming Soon: HUMMER H3 and HUMMER H1 Alpha

Detroit - HUMMER is in the midst of a growth strategy, taking its distinctive style and unmatched off-road capability to new shapes, sizes and categories. Today, HUMMER provides the first look at the next steps that take place in early 2005 - the all-new midsize H3, and a new off-road performance series called Alpha.

"HUMMER's core attributes - premium style and unrivaled off-road capability - appeal strongly to customers," said Mike DiGiovanni, HUMMER general manager. "We're going to extend that appeal by taking HUMMER to new segments and continually upgrading our products in existing segments."

The all-new midsize H3
The 2006 HUMMER H3, due in dealers in the first half of 2005, will offer authentic HUMMER performance and style in a midsize SUV package. Just as its stablemates (the legendary H1 and H2) did in the full-size category, the H3 will create a new leader in off-road capability among midsize SUVs.

The H3 will be shown to the public on the global auto show circuit beginning in the fourth quarter of 2004. In advance of that, here's a preview:

  • The H3 is being extensively developed to achieve the extraordinary off-road capability synonymous with HUMMER, along with surprisingly civilized daily driving attributes and improved fuel economy. Development testing has been conducted in the most demanding off-road environments.
  • The H3 will be both powerful and efficient, featuring the 3.5L Vortec 3500 Inline 5-cylinder engine with a dual overhead cam design and variable valve timing. The H3 will offer the choice of a manual or an automatic transmission. In addition, the H3 will include systems specifically engineered for HUMMER's trademark off-road capability. Among the available equipment will be an electronically controlled four-wheel drive system with a fully locking rear differential, traction control, underbody shielding and GM's StabiliTrak vehicle stability enhancement system.
Alpha - The ultimate extension of HUMMER performance
HUMMER will produce a performance series, called Alpha, which takes the brand's legendary capabilities to their ultimate extension. As with all things HUMMER, it starts with the original H1. Here's a preview:
  • The 2006 H1 Alpha, launching in early 2005, will feature GM's award-winning 6.6L Duramax Turbo Diesel, mated to the outstanding Allison 1000 transmission.
  • The Duramax will bring more power, improved emissions performance, and an unexpected fuel economy gain to the H1, along with adding to its already-unmatched off-road capabilities.

HUMMER's growth strategy began with the introduction of the H2 in 2002. The H2 SUT, featuring a unique rear cargo bed, debuted in June of 2004 and is in high demand at HUMMER dealers with strong initial sales.

National Hummer Club Proxy Fight
July 25, 2004

As some of you may or may not know, there is a plan being implemented by many of the Hummer Club members to rejuvenate the Hummer Club and put the fun back into it! Please read the text below to better understand why this is an important issue that needs to be addressed!

It would also be helpful if you could forward this information to others who might have the same opinions and would be willing to vote.

The Latest Word About Detroit Electric Lockers
June 28, 2004

We appreciate your interest in our products.At this point I don't have any answers for you.  We have considered building the Hummer Electrac but with the Eaton unit now available, we have our doubts as to it's viability.  Our sales price would be in the $675-$800 range and that may be too much more than the Eaton to allow enough sales to justify it's production.  We are currently working on a method of internal activation which we will be using on our next models.  Once these tests are complete we will evaluate our position and possibly look at the Hummer Electrac again. We are currently designing new Truetrac limited slip units which are similar to the factory Torsen units.  Our units will  be about 30% stronger and have a bias ratio of 3-1 instead of the Torsen 2-1.  Product should be available in February of '05. Scott FraryAftermarket Sales ManagerTractech Inc.

Who Really Designed the H2

June 25, 2004

EDAG,  http://www.edag.com/   a German engineering and design company was the company GM contracted to do much of the H2 body and hood design and engineering work. Having personally worked with the EDAG Engineers for over a year on the H2 project, I would have to agree, EDAG did an excellent job on the H2!  (from a retired AMG engineer)

H2 Bashing & Bad Information?

June 22, 2004

I wrote this in response to a message that came across a Mailing List. It seems that there is a growing number of owners that have this mindset. In essence the sender said:

I thought the H2 was test marketed under a different name and there wasn't much interest until they test marketed it with the name Hummer. Then GM bought the name Hummer and marketing rights then added a few "Hummer" related cosmetic items.

Because of this "same family" my truck gets badmouthed like it never did before.

Getting warranty work done is a hassle! Before the H2 we owners had much better relations with AMG. 

Now with too many of the H2's out there I am afraid to leave my truck out any more for fear of it being defiled.

Look who AMG cares about.  Did you see the new Hummer Adventures magazine?  There were no Hummer H1's in the whole magazine. 

I want to hear about real people not commercial junk. It all comes down to $$$ and greed.

The H2 was developed from scratch from the beginning to be a Hummer after GM bought the marketing rights. The reality of the H2 is that it's probably one of the best 4 wheeler's with only the Hummer (H1) being better. If there wasn't an H1 I'd probably be driving an H2.

I don't know about the bad mouth part but I can tell you one thing. You should have owned a Hummer 9 years ago. They were new, the golf war was still on everybody's mind and you were a major attraction. I had a great time for a number of years. The reality is that the Hummer is not quite the big draw it once was and the public has already seen them around. I do believe that while they are not what they used to be they still draw more attention then any other vehicle on the street. You just got into it a few
years too late so don't feel bad. You know as well as I that anyone giving you grief about your truck is just plain jealous.

The service on the H1 was the most abominable that it ever could be before GM took over. There were only a few dealers in the whole country that were honest and could do good work on our trucks. That's why the amghummer website got started. Everybody was working on their own trucks including
myself even though they were still under warranty.

The guys at AMG were dealing directly with the customers because the dealers were so bad. That's why owners had so many relations with AMG. I have to tell you that my hat goes off to the guys over there (AMG). They treated me very fair on all the issues I had.

There was only one dealer in the whole state of IL and none of us owner/ customers in the Chicago area would let them near our trucks. That's why I drove 500 miles to St Louis and bought my 2nd truck from Jim Lynch. He did a better job taking care of me 500 miles away then the Illinois dealer who was
40 miles away.

Our group of Chicago area owners The Advanced Mobility Group (AMG) finally found out about Great Lakes Hummer in Michigan. On a regular basis we drove our trucks well over 100 miles to have our service done there because they do good work (Rick and Chuck) and are honest. Many of us including myself purchased a truck from them. That's how I got to know Jim (HH1jim). Jim was the Hummer product manager at Great Lakes when I bought my 98 wagon. I had a chance to talk at length numerous times with him. He knows more about the Hummer then anybody I ever met.

Since GM got into the game there are 4 or 5 dealers to choose from all much
better then the original one. One of these newer dealers Weil Hummer has one
of the best shops I've ever seen.

Hummer Adventures is a commercial GM publication. Last I heard GM was not a 'not for profit' organization. Of course they want to make money. I want to make money. I'm sure you want to make money. Money buys toys like Hummers. I think you should buy some GM stock.<G>  Since I don't have to pay for Hummer Adventures I just toss it if  I don't like it.

Don't get down over this baloney. If you want your fill of real Hummer adventures go 4 wheeling as often as you can.

Chuck Kopelson

No 'O5' Hummer ?
06/07/2004

Rumors  abound about the factory moving to the Duramax for the Hummer, but no one  from AMG or GM is talking publicly about it.

This may be common knowledge to everyone or incorrect for that matter but  my dealer tells me that there will be no 05 Hummers (to the civilian market) and  that the 06 will have the Duramax.

I talked to someone from GM (that is involved directly with the GM Hummer sales) about it recently.  He confirmed it.  When I asked him if I could quote him, his comment was: "I thought it was common knowledge."

First Spottings of the new H3
05/03/2004

Will the H1 Get a Duramax Diesel Engine?
4/19/2004
Word on the street is that AM General will not be making a 2005 H1. But in 2006 the H1 will have the Duramax Diesel which is an additional 100 hp, another 100 ft lbs of torque, fuel efficient and quiet. This is the engine GM is putting in all of it's light diesel trucks.  AM General will also have the 2006 come out in mid 2005. Production will also go up from the 250 made for 2004. My contacts have personally talked to one of the engineers on the Duramax H-1 project.  It is real.  It should be available in 2005.
 
Fact: A couple of years ago GM sold off it's 6.5 diesel (the engine in the H1 and hmmwv) and production facilities to AM General. GM does not use the 6.5 diesel in any of it's vehicles anymore.

From Autoweek:
Next year Hummer will offer a heavy-duty package that will be marketed under a name yet to be announced. "You are going to see (Hummer) reach further into aggressive heavy-duty off-roading," says a General Motors source who spoke on condition that he not be identified. The heavy-duty equipment will debut on the H1 next year and then expand to H2 and H3 models. The H3 will debut in 2005. The equipment is expected to be different for each Hummer model.

The H1 package will include a Duramax diesel engine, Allison transmission and special off-road equipment, the source says. He did not provide details.

There's some advantages to going with the Duramax from a long term engine standpoint.  Continuing on the Emissions track - Tier 2 Emission rules gets phased in starting from 2005 (California) to the entire US by no later than 2008 (2007 is the proposed target year), and will continue at Tier 2 to
2009.  From 2009, Tier 3 emission rules start.

According to some people that I know in the heavy duty engine marketplace, the 2004 Duramax engine is EPA Tier 2 and Tier 3 compliant.  To make it Tier 3, a computer upgrade and additional EGR equipment needs to be added in - that's it.  It's already Tier 2, thanks to the injection system and it's interaction with the engine computer.

If the proposed lower sulfur standards for Diesel come true by 2006, then the Duramax doesn't need much more tweaking to go from Tier 2 to Tier 3.

Of course, there's always the chance that the 2005 and beyond get a Caterpillar engine.  I wonder if the C7 would fit in the H1's engine bay. 330hp @2400rpm, 7.2l, 860 lb-ft of torque.  It weighs 300 lbs more than the current Optimizer 6500 though.  And the C7 is already Tier 3 compliant.

Caterpillar is the contractor to make the A3 HMMWV variant's engine computer and wiring harness as well....so I wonder what else AM General's having Caterpillar do?

Recall Hummer H2
4/17/2004

Owner Notification Date: Mar 30, 2004
Number of Units Potentially Affected: 68875
Component Description: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V045000

Description of Recall Campaign: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUTOFSPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDROBOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE. CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE ORING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE. GM HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT
HUMMER AT 18664866376.

The New 2004 H1 is Now At the Dealers
04/06/2004

Read the article and see the pictures.

New Hummer Dealer in Downtown Chicago
02/23/2004
FYI, there is going to be a new Hummer Dealer in Downtown Chicago. It's going to be Grossinger. They are taking over the old building that was once Tower Olds. The building is on some Chicago registry of 'classic' structures and will only be renovated on the interior. This means that the dealership probably won't be open till fall. It's going to be a Scion (Toyota) and Saturn dealer also.
Hummer Happenings and the Dealer
2/16/2004

Can you lay to rest the rumors many have heard that GM forces HUMMER Dealers to sign on to a specific number of "HUMMER Happenings" per year that MUST be "contracted" through GM's vendor for H-Happenings to the tune of around $35,000.00 per event?  Of course that amount could be in addition to whatever GM's vendor is able to collect directly from each HUMMER Owner.  I'd bet you and your Dealership could put on your own great "HUMMER Happening" for about a fifth that absorbent amount.  Your comments either on OR off the list would be most welcomed.

If dealers want to use Local Marketing Group (LMG) funds for an event they have to use one of the two approved vendors. We have been putting on our own off-road events for years and have chosen to forego LMG reimbursement in favor of having the flexibility to do the event the way we think is best. They insist you use their vendors only if you want the LMG to pay for it. In fact 35,000 is cheap for an event.

GM Blows off H1 Owners
02/14/2004

I was told my local dealer today why they have not been inviting the Colorado Hummer Club or its members to their Hummer Happenings.  He said that the Happening
is for H2 trucks only, and that H1's are specifically not to be invited.  He said that this direction comes from GM.

Warranty Policy
01/16/2004

Warranty policy per Doug Hamlin at AMG:

BODY LIFTS:  will not void your factory warranty BUT a body lift will "red flag" your truck, so any warranty issue will be reviewed and IF it is determined that the body lift had anything to do with your warranty claim, it will be denied.......the factory claimed that a lift increases "body roll" and the center of gravity...thus......claims on idler/pitman/ball joints/t-case/ect....you may be in for a "debate" with the factory

MILE MARKER HYDRAULIC WINCHES:  AMG will NOT pay for warranty claims on the P.S. pump, the steering gear box, or the hydra boost if you have the MM-hydraulic winch.

TIRES over 37 inches:  same thing, a debate if they think the tires are related to the claim.
MTR Availability
12/23/2003
On November 25th, a friend and  supplier of mine, personally called Akron and verified at that time, that the production schedule for the 37/12.50R-17 MT/R, was to begin on Dec. 8th.     If that in fact took place, which i have not verified, tires would start to be shipped to distribution centers this week or next, and would make product start to become available shortly after the New Year.

Craig MacNab, the PR Director AMG
12/16/03

I had an interesting conversation today with Craig MacNab, the PR Director at AM General.

Some of the tidbits that came across:

- AM General and GM will not abandon the H1.  It's too much of a cornerstone to kill off the product line, and GM learned too much from their mistakes in killing off the F-Body Camaro/Firebird line.  Craig hinted that there's a contractual agreement to continue H1 production as long as GM's involved in the Hummer branding.
- AM General breaks even on each civilian H1 made.  They make most of their money from the military side, and rely on military sales to boost the profitability of the civilian H1.
- With the current demand for military versions, the production line is barely looking at producing civilian versions for 2004.
- AM General's marketing department has dwindled down to nearly nothing - except on the (you guessed it) military side of the house.  GM's doing 100 percent of the marketing push for the Hummer brand on the civilian side.

So - I'm happy that AMG's willing to put their cards down on the table and say what's what.  At least we don't have to worry about the end of the line (for now) of our vaunted vehicles.

New Photos of the Hummer H3
December 7, 2003

The 2000 Slant Back Story
December 4, 2003

One day in 2000 I was out at AMG. At the time almost all if not all of the slantbacks were sitting in the factory lot out behind the plant. I couldn't get a straight answer from anyone why they weren't shipping them.  On my way home I stopped off at Jeep acres which is a parts junkyard near the Hummer plant. I saw a bunch of 'new' slantback parts laying in the grass (they're gone now).  I was curious and the owner said that they were prototypes that the factory dumped.   He went on to say that the reason AMG was forced to hold all the slantbacks was because they had originally arranged with some company in CA, probably California gold to design and possibly supply the slantbacks. AMG then decided to make them themselves and copied the California company's design. The California company either sued or threatened to sue AMG. Until it was worked out AMG couldn't sell any of the trucks they had already built. My guess is that they must have settled and paid the company for the 30 or so odd trucks they made and said that's the end of the slantback.

AM General says that a total of 39 were actually "Factory" issue. One (1) in 1992 and 38 in 2000. Anything else you see out there for any other year is aftermarket.

Chrysler Released a Concept

November 24, 2003

called the Jeep Rescue, an obvious attempt at answering the Hummer H2 with a huge Wrangler. Chrysler intends to answer Hummer's expected H3 SUV with a Wrangler-inspired SUV within a few years. And it is working out a business case for an entry-level Jeep to be priced below $20,000. See Picture

New H1 interiorNovember 4 , 2003
The H1 will get a completely new interior designed by GM. I've heard that the whole dash is curved around with lots of switches and lights. The steering wheel is all new with a real horn button in the middle. That alone is worth the price of upgrading to a new truck!!! There will not be an overhead console like the existing ones. There will be some storage pouches / console somewhere overhead possibly side to side. The aux heater is very low profile with futuristic vents. The seats backs are shorter and more squared off to improve visibility. The seats are heated leather and supposedly much more comfortable. All the interiors are the same with a 2 tone color scheme which might be a light grey. Everything from the window sill up is an even lighter color; maybe an off white to improve the open feel of the interior. The price will be about the same as it is now. In addition, it was said to have an interior sound level much (at least 2 db-A) quieter the any previous H1. They are using some kind of baked on sound damping material.


Total production may only be 235 with most dealers getting 1. There will be one basic option which is the off road package which has the winch, locker and my guess the 2 piece aluminum wheels. You won't be able to special order a truck from the factory.

I was told that the 2004's will be out in late December / January which is much later then usual. The 2004 H2's are already out. SUT H2 will be available late Spring/early Summer '04 as an '05 model. You can start watching for a Duramax powered H1. My source said that they didn't know how thery were going to price them(dmax). He said that they hope the resale value of the trucks will rise so existing owners will get a decent trade in to upgrade to a Dmax.

The H3 will be available about a year later in '05. The H3 will be an '06 model.

October 28, 2003
The National Hummer Club Inc. Durango/Moab event will be split into two events for 2004. The Moab event is tentatively scheduled for the second week of June. The Durango event for the first week of October. Each event will be four days (i.e. registration Sunday, trails Monday through Thursday with the closing banquet Thursday night).

October 20, 2003
Changes for 2004 H1's
-New interior.
-Front E-locker available.
- 10 more HP and 10 more lbft torque.
-New noise absorbing compound baked on body.

Other items improved:
-Cargo door latches
-Horn
-License Plate location
-Fuel filter mounting
-Rocker panel mounting
-Door straps
-2 new colors: Black Metallic and Metallic Tan.

October 19, 2003
Rick Schmidt of the Michigan IHOG group said he heard that the next Hummer Homecoming will be August 9 to 13th 2004. I understand this time that all Hummer groups, clubs and owners are allowed to come without having to pay and join the Hummer Club, Inc. to attend. That will be good news.

October 11, 2003
Arnold S Makes his Exit at Hummer Homecoming with a Video for Road and Track.

September 15, 2003
I heard that Detroit will have a version of their Electrac locker for the Hummer in a year. Looks like AMG may beat them to the punch.

September 01, 2003
AMG will offer an Eaton locker upgrade kit within the next 6 months.

September 02, 2003
I heard that the military is going to switch to 17" steel wheels

August 30, 2003
Has GM taken over running the dealer required Hummer Happenings?

One dealer responds:

GM is not involved in our off-road event. Many dealers have chosen to have a GM approved vender place their events which qualifies them for assistance from the advertising group. We would rather do our events ourselves.

July 5th, 2003

H1 for 2004

Sounds like the H1 is getting full map navigation and 10 more HP.
I also heard thru the grape vine the front windshield will be sloped back
more...? I think the HP is a result of more stringent diesel pollution laws.

They are also adding the front Eaton electrical locker.

Product enhancements on both models for the 2004 model year include the
availability of a Delphi integrated navigation radio with full map
navigation and a
CD-ROM/audio player and a variety of accessories available to personalize
both models.

Horsepower (hp / kw @ rpm): 205 / 152 @ 3400
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): 440 / 596 @ 1800

AMG does have a test truck with a New GM Duramax (300hp) direct injection
diesel that friends of mine have driven. I also heard that sometime they
will redo the interior to match the price.