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Reuss: GMC Hummer EV Will Be ‘The Best’ Electric Pickup Truck On The Market

There are currently no battery-powered pickup trucks on sale, but despite this, it seems as though the segment has already been fairly well saturated. General Motors, Tesla, Ford, Rivian and Lordstown Motor Company are all working on their own unique electric pickup trucks, while lesser-known companies like Nikola and Fisker also have similar products in development.

That means GM’s first electric pickup truck, the GMC Hummer EV, will have no shortage of competition after it goes on sale in 2021. Making matters even more difficult for GM is that other offerings, like the very promising Rivian R1T, will beat the GMC Hummer EV to market. Company president Mark Reuss isn’t worried, though, holding the belief that the GMC’s performance will differentiate from the competition and ensure its success even if the competition arrives first.

“Whether or not we are first on the market, I am totally confident that we will be the best on the market,” Reuss said of the GMC Hummer EV while speaking at the recent GM Capital Markets day investor event.

Mark Reuss

As we reported last week, the GMC Hummer EV will be available with a single, dual or triple motor setup. Reuss said the different motor setups will offer “different ranges, different performance at different price points to meet the customers’ needs whatever they may be.” We imagine the tri-motor model will be the fastest and is the version GMC previously referred to as being able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in three seconds flat. It will go up against the tri-motor versions of the Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian R1T, which also claim to accelerate from 0-60 mph in about three seconds.

Rivian R1T

Impressive as these performance statistics may be, it’s not the only area the GMC Hummer EV will have to excel in to beat Tesla, Rivian, Ford and others. Customers will also be looking for it to offer exceptional towing capability, good off-road performance and innovative in-vehicle technology. The market will also be comparing real-world range estimates and DC fast charge times between the trucks, as well.

We’ll get our first glimpse of the GMC Hummer EV when it makes its debut May 20th, 2020, at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant in Michigan.

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Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. It may be the best but they need to market and sell this thing properly.
    The Volt was a great car and I believe it’s application is still the best method of EV + range.
    But GM F’d up selling it right from its debut. The execs presenting the car didn’t even know what it was.

    Reply
    1. I agree Andrew, 100%.

      I don’t know what it is…but for some reason, I just have this feeling that GM is not about to screw this thing up. I honestly think that they’re about to step up to the plate big time here.

      Could be the streak of wins they’ve had lately that have them in a momentum boost, most notably the C8 Corvette, which was a grand slam into the second deck (a rarity for GM these days) and the new full-size SUV triplets, which were all excellent, differentiated, and will likely give GM an even bigger boost on their bottom line.

      The more time goes on, the more resurrecting the Hummer name looks like a genius idea. The brand equity for Hummer is HIGH right now. The industry is always trying to capitalize on nostalgia, think of when they brought back the GTO, Thunderbird, Supra, and soon to be Bronco. I can’t think of any comeback that has even CLOSE to the hype of Hummer. Whether you loved them, hated them, or were somewhere in between, people are all saying, “I can’t believe Hummer is actually coming back! Remember when Mr. Calloway at the end of the street had that massive H2?” People are talking.

      Bringing it back as an EV was equally brilliant. If it is as good off-road as GM insiders are claiming, and stays true to the Hummer design legacy, this thing will be a major success. They made it electric to eliminate the hate from environmentalists, and very wisely, made it a performance monster (and emphasized this in the commercial) to peak the interest of old Hummer owners who claimed they’d never get an EV…but now are very curious. And everyone else just wants to see the damn thing!

      I could very well be wrong, as GM is known for flubbing numerous projects in numerous ways (see: CT6, XT6, 8-speed, etc), but I really think we’ve got a winner just around the corner here. Come May 20th, I think we’ll see a big swing, a loud *CRACK*, and a moonshot to deep center. Let’s hope GM can keep this streak going.

      Reply
  2. is gm the best at anything right now? i’ll give them the nod with the c8 but what else?

    Reply
    1. @ Steve

      Camaro ZL1 if they add C8’s DCT &/or the LT5, to easily put it right on top again.

      Reply
  3. The reality is GM just wanted to build Volts and Bolts but they really did not want to sell a ton of them.

    Why? Because to get venders to make parts and to invest you had to give them a product to build them for.

    The problem was there really is no money in the Bolt and at this time due to high component cost. You could build 250k of them but there is little to no return in them.

    Now with the Hummer you have a vehicle if done right can be sold at a price point that is profitable. It will be at a price point it can use the better things that could not be used at a Bolt price point. It will be of a size it can carry a large battery for more power and range.

    Anyone who thought the Volt or Bolt were going to replace the average family sedan needs to look deeper into how cars are built and cost of development of newt tech.

    I am not a a Tesla fan but Musk did discover one thing everyone else missed. High priced, hi image Ev vehicles can sell and sell at prices where you can make money.

    GM has returned to this plan as the way forward to driv3 down component cost and pay for development cost. This will lead to cheaper and more affordable EV products that are more advanced sooner than later.

    The real advantage here is Duncan Alfred of GMC has shown how to leverage image with the Denali name. I expect he will take the Hummer name to the next level.

    GM has never been behind in technology here. In fact they are at the forefront. The problem was they just could not decide how best to market the technology without losing money.

    This is also why the EV move to Cadillac is on too.

    To be honest a Tesla really should go back to their roots and up grade the S model as it is old. It generated more money than all the other models sold. That way they would have more money to start up new models and expand. No kore reservations or reselling needed.

    Reply
    1. 100% on point!

      Reply
  4. Kind of on this subject, but kind of off-subject too. I’ve brought up numerous times now about these electric trucks and how they are bragging about torque, etc. But the real question to me and everyone should be about them towing?? Here is an interesting article I just came upon:

    https://www.yahoo.com/autos/audi-shows-towing-affects-evs-175100243.html

    This article just reinforces my “opinion” that these electric trucks will be nothing more than bragging rights and for the wealthy going to the mall or skiing at the expensive lodges!

    Reply
  5. One thing to not discount here is the a Hummer brand equity.

    While it did have its detractors back in the day it still had and still has a solid fan base. Now that the mpg issue is neutralized the Hummer name and image is bringing something familiar to a market full of upstarts that over half will fail.

    With this truck you can pull up to the club and people will know what you have. Pull up in a Fisker or Lordstown and you will be explaining what it is.

    This name equity will put it up with the a Tesla recognition right from the start. Based on the styling it should also lead unless Tesla changes something.

    The shock value of the Tesla will wear off fast if built as shown and end up just being the odd ball.

    Many got excited about the Pacer too based on styling then it just became that weird car.

    Reply
  6. Why does Everyone forget about the F150 EV ? That’s GM’s biggest competitor, not some ugly ass cyber-truck. In typical MoTown fashion, it is and has always been Ford Vs. GM. When Ford does something, GM will try to one up them during the next mid cycle refresh, and vice versa.
    We have some pretty good times ahead with this sort of competition. Remember back in the 50’s when Ford and GM were trying to one up each other with bigger and more powerful V8’s (the 302, 305, 351, 356, 400, 454, 460) ?

    Reply
    1. It’s always been Ford vs Chevy. Not necessarily Ford vs GM. GM likes to forget this fact when they shortchange Chevrolet products and frankly, it’s hurt Chevrolet as a whole (aside from the Corvette).

      Reply
  7. I just do not see how GM, Ram, or Ford can make a Full Size EV Truck that starts at $39,000 and still make a profit.
    That statement means very little. It could very well be the best Truck on the market but at what Price point?

    Reply
    1. They don’t.

      That is why we have a more expensive Hummer and not a EV Silverado.

      The cheaper the parts for the Hummer become as the development is paid off the tech migrates to a cheaper Chevy.

      GM could have just parked the Hummer platform under a High Country but few would pay the price it would cost and just have a regular looking truck.

      Now the trouble with many of the other brands they will not be cheap if they have many options. The problem will be there will people pay that much with a start up that may not be there in 5 years?

      There are many unknowns and a high percentage of risk for all here. But the Hummer will be much less risk than any as if it works it will make good money if not it can go away with minor loss.

      Reply
  8. It sure is interesting to see all the banter about EVs these days. We are definitly living in a transitional age with all it’s associated disruptions. It seems to me that more and more people are recognizing this – Except for the Budlite NASCAR crowd and the current crop of oil greased politicians. That said, I hope folks will start including AZ. based Atlis motors to this list of EV truck players. I will be at a demo event next Friday for investors,etc. will post an update.

    My opinion about EV trucks is they can’t get here fast enough, growing pains and all. I just bought an old Tacoma 4×4 to take some of the 10 MPG pain off of driving my HD2500 Silverado. And most enjoyable to drive (when I can Pry it from my wife) is driving our Volt with 3 inches of lift and A/T tires. Yes we are STILL waiting for all those promised EUVs. It’s all good!

    Reply
    1. The “Budlite NASCAR crowd” and “oil greased politicians” will always have a valid point, though; gas trucks are still extremely relevant and needed, and they aren’t going anywhere for a LONG time.

      EV trucks aren’t going to come anywhere NEAR the utility of gas trucks for many years. Gas trucks are just too all-purpose and meet more needs than ever before. People are always saying how we won’t even need gas trucks by 2030 because EV trucks will be so advanced…give me a break.

      I’m as excited for the Hummer as anyone, but the Hummer will thrive because it plays to a niche, and won’t need to worry about typical EV shortcomings like towing. Gas trucks today are more advanced then ever, and the gap between them and EV trucks in work scenarios is huge. The Hummer won’t need to worry about this, as it’ll likely be a lifestyle, offroad vehicle that focuses more on luxury, tech and rock-crawling then towing and hauling. The electric F150 and soon-to-be EV Silverado are going to have major growing pains because of this.

      I say sell them alongside each other for the foreseeable future. Let people pick what they want, and don’t belittle them for it. Capitalism is a beautiful thing in that regard. Cheers.

      Reply
  9. The cream always rises to the top. It will be interesting to see who rises and who falls from all these e-trucks.

    Reply
  10. Well G8 (a fine car indeed) I agree with you that Ice and Evs will coexist for sometime yet. But never underestimate the power of evolution (human and technical), nor the effect of hitting critical mass, which I believes EVs are on the cusp of. I cannot agree with you however that corrupt politicians have any relevance to moral and ethical world leadership, though I admit such is not the reality of today. My point was not to “belittle” but rather to point out that we should ALL feel a sense of responsibility to respect and care for the beautiful planet on which we live. Think of it as an elevator on which you and a group were on with a homeless drunk who hadn’t showered in years and was covered in his own waste – would you still have such a glorious laissez faire attitude? We all, after all the posturing, still breathe the same air. Cheers

    Reply
    1. I should clarify ronjo, I wasn’t saying you personally were belittling people (except maybe fans of NASCAR…), but the reality is, people are belittled for enjoying ICE vehicles all the time. I also should clarify that I’m not making any claim on the morailty of politicians, because I can’t really speak to that.

      I agree that we should take care of the planet, that’s a good thing. But we should also not punish people who need something that particular people find objectionable, like trucks. My family runs a landscape contracting business, and working in the company for years, I know this…heavy-duty trucks are essential. Doesn’t mean we’re “eff the planet” people, we just need the trucks to live, thrive and better our futures. EVs won’t be able to do anywhere NEAR what our trucks can, and there’s no indication that they will anytime soon.

      As far as the climate goes, I don’t want to get into a major debate on it. Me personally, I think we need to focus on compromises that can achieve goals without taking one of two extremes. I also don’t want the government choosing to subsidize certain car owners while taxing others…that is unethical and antithetical to the American ideals, imho. I think we can make steps in CO2 removal technologies, increasing ICE efficiency, investing in n nuclear power, etc. that will address pressing issues without being too overbearing on society. Btw, did you know that the United States has decreased their emissions more than any other country not only last year, but since 2010? And this is under President Trump…you won’t hear the media talk about this!

      Lastly, I don’t really understand your elevator anology, so you can clarify on it if you want to.

      Reply
  11. It is ignorant to trash either side.

    The reality is that EV will make inroads and appear to many it is not going to be the only thing out there. ICE is not going away totally so both sides need to exist and respect each other.

    EV is going to keep improving but it will not be for everyone. The SAE predicts by 2030 the market will be 1/3 ICE, EV and hybrid. The ICE is planned by most companies to be in production till at least 2050 in various forms.

    Keep in mind laws, regulations and advancements could skew this a number of ways but that is were the experts place this for now. The SAE is ver pro EV too.

    This is no different than many other things as the world is very varied and there is not just one think fits all for everyone.

    Both side have idiots. The EV crowd have their folks that over sell things. There are also ICE fans that under sell things too.

    I laugh as I’m in the middle on this. The pro EV crowd call me a EV hater and the hard core ICE fans call me a Traitor. I just appreciate aspects of both. EV is not to where I would want one as a only car but as a driver to work and back I could live with it if I found a model and style I liked. Also I want to wait for lower prices as I really don’t want to pay more than I already am for a vehicle. Prices will come down and more models will come and I will find something at some point.

    The bottom line is this is a transitional time and will be for many years to come. There is only right or wrong for what each buyer chooses for their own needs-or requirements.

    Reply
  12. No doubt the Hummer EV looks amazing. But I’d be happy to bet $1,000 that none are delivered to anyone on the reservation list in 2021 (at 1 to 1 odds), and I’d bet $1,000 that none are delivered to anyone on the waitlist in 2022 (at 1 to 2 odds). Any takers?

    Reply
    1. HAHAHAHAHA.

      Unfortunately I’m not yet at that stage in my life where I can be tossing around $1,000, or I’d take that bet. Frankly, if I had the means I’d up it to $1,000,000. I understand the sentiment, but if you had information on the truck like I do, you’d know they were absolutely going to hit the market when they say they will. In fact, a numb er of Hummer models have had their production schedules moved UP since the reveal.

      Reply

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