After 14 years, Hummer will stop marketing the civilian version of the $130,000-plus H1 to focus its "engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and dealer resources to bringing more new or significantly revised models to market," read a joint statement from Hummer and AM General, the H1's manufacturer. More than likely that means GM wants smaller and more gas-pump-friendly vehicles like the H3, though Hummer General Manager Martin Walsh told the Associated Press rising fuel prices were not a factor in the decision. H1 buyers "typically have been less sensitive about gas prices than most other drivers," Walsh said.
For its part, AM General will "focus all of its research and development efforts on continuing to make the finest light tactical vehicles in the world available to the U.S. Armed Forces," said the statement. AM General is already changing its H1 assembly lines to produce only military HMMWVs.
H1 owners shouldn't feel abandoned, said Hummer, as they "can continue to depend on Hummer dealerships to provide warranty repairs, parts, and service for their vehicle for many years to come." We haven't heard yet how (or if) the announcement will affect Rod Hall's desert-racing Team Hummer, which fields an H1 Alpha alongside H2 and H3 race trucks.
Hummers Strong in the Desert
While we're on the subject, Team Hummer posted particularly strong finishes at the Best in the Desert Racing Association's Terrible's Town 250 in April. Rod Hall, wheeling the team's H3, earned a First in the Pure Stock Mini SUV class. His son Josh, who is defending his 2005 Pure Stock Full SUV class championship, also took a First in class. The team's H1 Alpha, in its racing debut, had some shakedown problems, but son Chad was still able to bring it to the finish line.
Bronco Fans Celebrate 40TH
Forty years after their introduction, and a full decade after the last one rolled off the assembly line, Broncos still inspire mad love by their fans.
In his usual understated way, rocker Ted Nugent put it this way: "The Bronco represents a powerful force in the huntsman's life, a way for us to reconnect with the spirit of the wild." The Nuge has owned seven Broncos, the first he bought in 1971. "It was light green with a white top, and I had all the heavy-duty options available at the time, even a Warn winch, and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I was rockin', baby!"
Ford engineer Harry Erle Rawlins IV had his first Bronco experience when he turned 16 and inherited his mother's '81. "I drove that Bronco pretty hard during high school," Rawlins said. "Flew it a few times." Though that truck gave way to "more practical" transportation when he went to college, he immediately bought a '73 Bronco when he landed a job at Ford. Rawlins, now a trailer tow engineer for Super Duty trucks, has since built the Bronc for severe trail duty with Detroit Lockers in both axles, a 351 Windsor under the hood, deeper gears in the transfer case, and 36-inch Super Swampers.
Rawlins took both his and Nugent's Broncos to the Early Broncos 40th Anniversary Celebration in Victorville, California, this spring, which is covered in this issue on page 40.
Medium-Duty Gets New Accessories
Apparently medium-duty trucks aren't just plain-Jane workhorses anymore. Alongside the personalized International CXTs, we're starting to see more and more special edition Kodiaks and TopKicks from GM and aftermarket parts supplier Monroe Truck Equipment. There's so much activity in dressing up these haulers that GM and Monroe have launched a new Web site (www.ultimate-pickup.com) where you can find accessories ranging from DVD entertainment systems to stainless steel vertical exhaust stacks.
Outstanding Trails Nominated
BFGoodrich, Tread Lightly!, and the United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) have launched a new Outstanding Trails program that highlights some of the best off-road trails in the country and is dedicated to the responsible use and preservation of those trails.
Named in the new program are Black Bear Pass near Ouray, Colorado; Pyeatt Draw in Payson, Arizona; Hell's Revenge in Moab, Utah; Naches Pass, also known as the Longmire Wagon Train, in the Cascade Mountains near Naches, Washington; and Trail No. 4 in the Upper Tellico OHV Area, located in the Natahala National Forest in North Carolina.
As a part of the program, BFG will host events at designated trails to highlight the uniqueness of each location as well as to educate off-roaders on the responsible use of each trail. The tire maker will also give a grant to a selected off-road club to help with the costs of trail conservation.
Bush Gets Hummer
No, our current president didn't make some Clinton-esque gaffe with an intern. USC tailback and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush, who was selected No. 2 overall in the NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, will receive two Hummers to drive during his rookie season. (He's shown here getting the keys to one of them from Hummer General Manager Martin Walsh.) Hummer is the "official vehicle of the NFL Draft."
Dodge, Jeep Make Flex-Fuel 4x4s
For 2007, all Dodge Ram and Dakota pickups, Durango SUVs, and Jeep Grand Cherokees and Commanders outfitted with a 4.7L V-8 engine will be capable of running on E85 (the ethanol/gasoline mix), gasoline, or any combination of the two. This is part of a plan to sell more than 250,000 flex-fuel vehicles in 2007 and nearly 500,000 such vehicles in 2008, which will represent nearly a quarter of DCX's U.S. fleet.
"A significant part of the solution to our energy, environment, and national security issues can be homegrown," said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler Group president and CEO.