The Old Hummer’s Tragic Death Was Necessary to Come Back Stronger
The Hummer holds a special place among cars in the history books of the automotive industry. Inspired by military vehicles, the rugged all-terrain truck allowed civilians to leave the pavement behind for fantastic off-road adventures. However, the Hummer eventually fell by the wayside when consumers started seeking more affordable alternatives, and the line was discontinued.
Now, the sturdy and sizeable model is back and better than ever. The all-new Hummer is powered by electricity, leaving industry analysts to wonder what the future holds for EVs.
The history of the Hummer
The first Hummer, inspired by military Humvee trucks, came off the assembly line in 1992. According to Business Insider, the military vehicles were known as “jeeps on steroids,” with the capabilities to “ascend 60% grades, roll through 30 inches of water, and climb up a 22-inch step.”
In 1999, GM purchased the civilian version of the Humvee and rebranded the truck to be called the Hummer H1. The tank-like truck weighed 7,000 pounds and only got 10 MPG. Adjustable tire pressure, diesel engine options, and off-road locking differentials made it a force to be reckoned with. However, demand was low for the H1, with less than 12,000 units sold in its 14-year tenure.
In 2002, a new lighter H2 version of the Hummer was revealed, offering a consumer-friendly price tag built on a pickup truck platform. Four years later, the H3 debuted, straying far from its original military branding. Standing on the Chevy Colorado platform, the smaller Hummer was shorter and much narrower than its predecessors. The starting price of $29,500 made the H3 an appealing choice for off-road enthusiasts, with an estimated fuel economy of 20 MPG.
Why it disappeared
In 2009, General Motors filed for bankruptcy. As part of the reorganization deal, the H2 line was phased out. GM unsuccessfully attempted to sell the Hummer brand to a Chinese automaker. Then, production of the H3 ended in February 2010. According to MotorTrend, “The last Hummer built is believed to be a black H3T, the pickup version of the smaller, Chevy Colorado-based H3.”
Consumers were no longer interested in purchasing giant gas guzzlers, instead turning their interest toward crossover SUVs. As gas prices rose and GM continued to have financial issues, the Hummer line collapsed.
What the future looks like for the Hummer EV
In 2017, the first electric H1 prototype, built by Kreisel Electric, was unveiled. As of January 2020, General Motors is back on board with the all-electric Hummer pickup and ready to compete against Tesla, Nikola, and Rivian trucks.
Investopedia announced the truck would be known as the GMC Hummer EV with an electric SUV called the Hummer EV SUV. A pickup truck sub-brand will be called the Hummer EV SUT. The base model will have a starting price of $79,995.
Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, the Hummer is back and better than ever before with the all-new GMC Hummer EV. According to the GMC‘s website, the SUT pickup truck will produce an astounding 1,000 hp and up to 11,500 lb-ft of torque. The new Hummer will also punch 0 to 60 mph in three seconds and has an estimated 300+ mile range.
The all-new 2022 GMC Hummer EV picks up where the discontinued line left off. Car Scoops says the challenge for GM designers “was to create something instantly familiar but new.” The utilitarian interior of the H3 has been replaced by a futuristic look that includes a 12.3″ infotainment center display and 18 camera view Ultravision system to navigate any terrain.
Jalopnik explains the arrival of the Hummer EV means electric vehicles are here to stay and quickly becoming a part of the mainstream. This new generation of all-electric vehicles is pushing “ecological awareness” aside, searching for the same traits that impress us with gas-powered automobiles. They noted, “We’re now in the era where EVs get promoted and advertised and understood with the same delirious irrationality as any other car out there.”
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