Hummer H2 Information
General Motors' Hummer H2 is manufactured by AM General, which is under contract to GM and was the original builder of the sport/utility vehicle. The pickup truck version, which uses the GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe platform, is considered a sport/utility vehicle. The H2 was a popular vehicle early in 2002 to its present production run, but sales fell dramatically in its last years.
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Origins
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The Hummer H2, as with all civilian Hummer models, began as a military transport vehicle in 1984 as the Humvee to replace the venerable Jeep. By 1992, AM General began marketing the vehicle for civilian use as the Hummer. The H2 was designed to complement the H1, which follows more closely the military version. The H3, introduced in 2005, is a mid-size version. GM bought the Hummer from AM General in 1998 with AM General continuing manufacturing duties for GM.
Controversy
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The H2 and its siblings are perhaps the most controversial motor vehicles produced by an American automaker on political and environmental grounds. It has raised the ire of many motorists who object to its ubiquitous image of war and more frequently for its perceived political incorrectness of poor fuel economy. Various independent tests show the H2's gas mileage to range from 8.6 to 12 mpg.
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Characteristics
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The 2003 to 2007 H2s are powered by a 6.0-liter V-8 engine, while the 2008 to 2009 models received a 6.2-liter powerplant. Its huge truck frame gives it a wide stance that makes parking a challenge, although its closet competitor is the equally large Ford Excursion.
Features
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The H2 is equipped with standard air-conditioning, a leather steering wheel featuring radio controls and cruise control, heated seats and optional power sunroof, on-board navigation system and a rear camera.
Production
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During the 2004 model year, 28,898 H2s were produced, and peaked the following year at 33,150 units. But sales plummeted in 2006 to 17,472 and further tumbled to just 6,095 in 2008 as gas prices rose and remained near the $3 per gallon mark. General Motors is in negotiations to sell the Hummer, but the vehicle's future is still in doubt.
Resale Value
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Hummer H2's rocky reputation, thanks largely to the poor economy, has affected its resale value. The base price for the 2008 H2 was $53,286 but its value has dropped to less than 40 percent of the original sticker price.
Public Tastes Shift
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The H2, designed to be more comfortable and appealing to upscale SUV and truck owners, only briefly captured the market before public tastes shifted as the worldwide economy fell into a deep recession and gas prices rose. In mid-2009, GM sold Hummer to the China-based machinery company Sichuan Tengzhong, which plans to continue production, although many complications remain in the final sale.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit General Motors
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Comments
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Still in love with my h2 hummer.
