Car Sport 2011: Hummer

Showing posts with label Hummer. Show all posts

3/8/10

CFC Proves There's No Limit to Bad Taste with Chromed-Out Hummer H2

Leave it to a German tuner to take something already gaudy by nature and make it even more garish and ugly. "Take your Hammer and drive it sexy", says CFC in the press release on the pimped-out Hummer H2 (with a "u" and not an "a"). Too bad it doesn't say 'where', but let's not make this post more inappropriate than it already is.

After a lengthy visit at their warehouse, CFC's tuning team went ahead and stuffed the Hummer H2 like a Thanksgiving turkey. Starting from the outside, the 'chrome' vinyl wrap is complemented by tinted windows, a carbon wrap for the bonnet and a set of uber-discreet 'CFC' stickers.

The H2 rides on massive 28-inch TunerShop light-alloy rims shod in jumbo-sized 325/35 R28 pneumatic tires by Kumho. Other exterior 'upgrades' include the four tail pipes, additional lights, chromed side guards and let's not forget, the Lambo-Style-Doors.

CFC's decorators really outdid themselves with the H2's interior. Applying lessons learned from the cheesiest of limo-makers, the SUV's cabin has been fitted with no more than... 17 LCD screens plus an HD TV, (on the ceiling, sunscreen, central console between the front seats, trunk and doors), a DVD-player, a 1.360-Watt RMS music system, a mini bar and probably some other thing we forgot to mention.

Style-wise, the seats have been upholstered in black leather with yellow stitches while there's also a new rear sofa and yellow decorative trim on the dash.

Finally, CFC also tampered around with the Hummer H2's engine which now puts out a total of 480HP.

For better or for worse, the German tuner did not release details on pricing.

Wind it Down: Say Good-bye to Hummer as Chinese Deal goes from... Sweet to Sour

As of today, General Motors has officially declared that Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co., Ltd. (try saying that ten times fast, I'll wait) won't be buying the Hummer brand after all. If you don't recall, Tengzhong is the Chinese company that thought it could make the Hummer business work in today's world.

There are many rumors to as why China officials would not support the transaction including Beijing's political agendas and environmental concerns (wait, Hummer's aren't efficient and green?), but fact is, the proposed deal is dead.

And since everything has fallen through, Hummer will begin its official "wind-down", as GM puts it. On the upside, everyone driving a Hummer now owns a future collectible. Congratulations!

GM Vice President of Corporate Planning and Alliance, John Smith, had this to say:

"One year ago, General Motors announced that we were going to divest HUMMER, as part of focusing our efforts on Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac going forward. We have since considered a number of possibilities for HUMMER along the way, and we are disappointed that the deal with Tengzhong could not be completed. GM will now work closely with HUMMER employees, dealers and suppliers to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner."

The General goes on to say that it will be honoring all warranties and will continue to provide replacement parts and all the other necessities to Hummer customers (kind of like what they're doing with Saturn, Pontiac, and old-Saab).

Hey, Hummer owners: why not rally together like those Saab fanatics and try to save the brand? Oh wait, Hummers are silly (and Trix are for kids).

-By Phil Alex

Custom Built Hummer H1 is one Freaky Creation

My eyes, oh my poor eyes... Can't remember for sure if we have seen any custom made vehicle worse than this heavily modified Hummer H1 that's up for grabs on eBay, but it certainly makes the top list. And wait until you see the interior with the ostrich leather dashboard and the number of LCD screens surrounding the driver...

Aside from claiming that the modded H1 "gets more attention than all other exotics" (wonder why...), the seller mentions that more than $185,000 were invested on the vehicle that is powered by a tuned V8 diesel cranking out 195 horsepower and 430 lb-ft (583Nm) of torque.

Still interested? Our condolences for your lost of taste but if you insist, the eBay 'Buy it Now' price for the Hummer H1 is $89,000.

Link: eBay

GM Officially Confirms China's Sichuan Tengzhong as HUMMER's Buyer

And the impending buyer of General Motor's Hummer division is... China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. LTD. Sorry, never heard of them and chances are that 99.99% of those reading this post haven't either. But if you must know, GM said that Tengzhong, which is based in the Chinese province of Sichuan, is a "privately-owned company and a leading domestic manufacturer of road, construction and energy industry equipment." In an earlier statement today, GM said that the sale is expected to close by the end of third quarter of 2009 and that it will secure more than 3,000 US jobs.

"The HUMMER brand is synonymous with adventure, freedom and exhilaration, and we plan to continue that heritage by investing in the business, allowing HUMMER to innovate and grow in exciting new ways under the leadership and continuity of its current management team," said Yang Yi, CEO of Tengzhong. "We will be investing in the HUMMER brand and its research and development capabilities, which will allow HUMMER to better meet demand for new products such as more fuel-efficient vehicles in the U.S."

HUMMER's chief James Taylor said, "With Tengzhong's investment and strong support, we will be able to make our visions a reality. This transaction, if successful, will secure more than 3,000 U.S. jobs, and allow us to embark on a more aggressive global expansion, ensuring a successful future with our new partners."

So that you know let us ask you: If the deal is sealed, what do you think that the future holds for a Chinese-owned HUMMER and its U.S. based employees?

Sichuan Tengzhong's Products

Fresh from filing for bankruptcy protection on Monday, General Motors announced on Tuesday morning that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a buyer for its Hummer division. Although GM did not disclose the name of the buyer nor the financial terms of the agreement, the automaker said that the sale is expected to close by the end of third quarter of 2009. GM said that the deal will secire more than 3,000 U.S. jobs in manufacturing, engineering and at Hummer dealerships around the U.S.

"I'm confident that HUMMER will thrive globally under its new ownership. And for GM, this sale continues to accelerate the reinvention of GM into a leaner, more focused, and more cost-competitive automaker," said Troy Clarke, President of GM North America.

GM said that as part of the proposed deal, Hummer will continue to contract vehicle manufacturing and business services from GM during a defined transitional time period. Under the proposed agreement, GM's Shreveport Assembly plant would continue to contract assemble the H3 and H3T through at least 2010.

"GM has developed HUMMER into a globally recognized off-road brand," said James Taylor, Hummer chief executive officer. "The proposed agreement will enable us to continue that growth and maximize the brand's potential through new, innovative off-road vehicles with improved efficiency and alternative fuel powertrains. Today's announcement is great news for Hummer's current and future customers, dealers, suppliers and employees around the globe."

Handmade Hummer H1 Replica Built with Ford Parts Including F150 Frame!

So what do you do when you're in the bizarre position of being a Ford nut that wants a Hummer but doesn't have enough money to buy one? Well, while most people would just forget about it, FullSizeBronco (FSB) forum member Francois (aka H150) decided to take matters in his own hands -literally- and build a full-size replica of the Hummer H1 using bits and pieces from various Ford models including the frame of a 1987 F150 4x4, the rear axle from a 1991 E250 van and a 7.3-liter Powerstroke diesel engine from a shuttle van.

And mind you, this handyman didn't choose the easy way out by using a fibreglass kit. Instead he painstakingly fabricated the Hummer body out of steel. Five years later and he has almost reached the end of this amazing journey as there are only a few pesky details left to finish up the project that has been baptized for apparent reasons, Hummer H150. Kudos to you sir, you definitely deserve it!