There are many who believe General Motors should have kept Pontiac around when it underwent its chapter 11 reorganization in 2009. There are also those who feel the same way about Saturn as well, and while both of these brands brought something unique to the table, none of them were as distinct and eccentric as Hummer.
GM’s other brands began to suffer from a bit of an identity crisis towards the end of their lifecycles, but Hummer always had its own personalized image. They were big, boxy and almost cartoonish in their design. The H2 and H3 may not have been for everyone, but thanks to their huge personalities, they carved out their own comfy spot in the full-size SUV market and developed a loyal following for doing so.
The crown jewel of the Hummer range was the H1. To this day it’s hard to think of a more versatile and capable vehicle, a point proven in the somewhat comical video below. In it, an H1 Pickup driver manages to pop the front wheels of his gigantic military vehicle up on top of a 6-foot high wall and slowly lower it back down without causing any damage to the big brute. What’s even more impressive is the H1 makes it all look pretty effortless. If you ever needed proof Hummer should have been kept alive, this is it.
Comments
Wow! GM needs to build an SUV with these Capabilities, using the latest Dura-max diesel in the near future.
GM Had nothing to do with the REAL Hummer/HMMWV/H1, other than buying rights to the Hummer NAME, from the real manufacturer AM GENERAL, and then running the brand into the ground. Thanks GM. You screwed the pooch on that one.
GM did supply the engine (6.2l, 6.5L diesels) and the automatic transmissions to AM General for the HMMWV, but that was it. I don’t get the statement that the H1 lives, I thought they quit making them some time ago, and the next generation HMMWV is going to another contractor.