Hummer Green Car Advisor Blog on Edmunds' Inside Line

November 6, 2009

GM Hopes To Spice Up Ho Hum Hummer H3 Sales With Gas-Ethanol Flex Engine

While waiting for final government approval of its sale of the ailing Hummer brand to China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Corp., GM is hoping to give it a sales boost with the introduction next month of a flex-fuel engine for the 2010 H3 and H3T models.

Adding E85 (ethanol) capability is part of the GM calls the brand's "evolution to offer responsible ... more efficient" models that don't sacrifice any of the big trucks' all-terrain capabilities.

The 5.3-liter, 300 horsepower flex fuel V8 is a new engine that, GM says, will be a standard offering across the entire 2010 Hummer Alpha series performance lineup.

GM no longer lists Hummer as one of its models - anticipating completion of the brand's sale early next year - but a slightly higher horsepower version of the same engine in the Chevrolet Tahoe is rated at 14 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway - 16 MPG combined - using gasoline. You can figure a 25 percent drop in fuel economy - but lower CO2 emissions - when using E85.

The larger H2 Hummers got their flex-fuel engines with the '09 model launch and fuel economy for the 6.2-liter V8 got a combined city-highway rating of 14 MPG on gasoline, dropping to 10 MPG on E85.

We're not sure the new H3 powerplant will help that much - if Hummer's got a good market anywhere in this country it's Southern California, and there are only 10 ethanol stations in the entire region.

With sales down more than 60 percent this year after falling 50 percent last year and 20 percent the year before that, adding a biofuel-capable, high-performance engine to the Hummer H3 lineup is sort of like trying to patch the Titanic's hull with bandages from the infirmary.

Oh, wait - there also are three new exterior colors for 2010. That ought to help.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (1); John O'Dell November 6, 2009, 9:36 AM
Categories:: Biofuels, Ethanol, Flex-Fuel, General Motors, Hummer
Technorati Tags:: Biofuel

September 16, 2009

FBI Joins Hunt for Persons Who Doused 15 Hummers With Acid in Oregon

The FBI has joined the investigation to find those responsible for vandalizing 15 Hummers over the weekend at a Portland, Oregon, dealership.

The obvious suspects, members of the Earth Liberation Front, are not claiming responsibility for the act, and posted this on their Website:

"Acid was poured over fifteen Hummers at Vic Alfonso Cadillac in Portland, OR, USA. As of yet there has been no claim of responsibility. However, it is evident from the sabotage that this act was conducted in response to the environmental devastation caused by SUVs and Hummers in particular."

The ELF may be a familiar name to you. The group of militant environmentalists claimed responsibility for setting a fire at West Covina, California, dealership in 2003 that destroyed 20 Hummers.

Another 20 of the gas-guzzling vehicles and several Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs were badly damaged by fire and spray paint. Words such as "ELF," "Fat, Lazy Americans" and "I (heart) pollution" were painted on the SUVs.

ELF member William Cottrell was convicted of conspiracy to commit arson after the attacks and sentenced to eight years in prison and ordered to pay $3.5 million in restitution.

That wasn't the last attack on a Hummer prior to this past weekend's acid-dousing. Indeed, a Hummer parked in an apartment carport in Fresno, California, was set on fire in July. The vehicle was destroyed and the carport roof damaged. No arrests have been made to date.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (3); Scott Doggett September 16, 2009, 10:59 AM
Categories:: Emissions, Fuel Economy, Hummer
Technorati Tags:: Arson

May 21, 2009

Plug-In Hummer Satisfies America's "Need" for Large Vehicles Says Sen. Hatch

Prototype Demonstrated for Senate Members With Fuel Economy Claims of 33-100 MPG

Plug-in Hummer H3 by Raser Technologies gets battery charge during Michigan introduction in April .

While there's usually plenty of dirt to sling in the nation's capital, there was none to be seen on the Washington Mall Wednesday as Utah's Raser Technologies put its plug-in hybrid Hummer -- a capable off-roader -- through its paces for members of the Senate.

The company says the gas-electric hybrid, a conversion of a standard four-wheel-drive Hummer H3 developed by Raser and FEV Group in cooperation with General Motors Corp.'s Hummer unit, can travel up to 40 miles in all-electric mode and deliver 33 miles per gallon over the course of a tank of fuel and a few hundred miles of driving.

If driven less on a daily basis -- that first 40 miles on rechargeable battery power and another 25 miles on gasoline -- the hybrid Hummer could deliver the equivalent of 100 mpg, Raser says.

Mileage in between the two extremes would vary depending on the mix of all-electric drive and gas engine use.

A video on Raser's Web site explains the company's mileage claims and shows off its technology.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell May 21, 2009, 8:43 AM
Categories:: Fuel Economy, General Motors, Hummer, Plug-ins and Electric
Technorati Tags:: Hummer

February 3, 2009

ACEEE Dubs Honda Civic GX Greenest Car For 6th Year; Prius In Second Place

GM Gets Three Models on 'Greenest' List and Tops 'Meanest' Ranking With Hummer H2

By John O'Dell, Senior Editor

In an anticlimactic repeat, Honda's natural-gas burning Civic GX topped the annual "greenest vehicles" of the year listing being published this morning by the non-profit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

It is the 12th year the Washington-based environmental and economic lobbying group has published its Green Book Online, which ranks passenger cars and light trucks for overall environmental impact.

Although the list for the 2009 model year contained no big surprises, it was marked by the reappearance of General Motors Corp., with trio of small cars among the dozen "greenest" vehicles in the market - the Chevrolet Cobalt compact and its Pontiac G5 twin placed eighth overall and the Chevrolet Aveo subcompact finished10th.

The GM cars, which were rated highly for their fuel economy, knocked Ford's Focus off the "greenest" list after its appearance there last year as the only domestic car in the top twelve.

The Ford didn't get a lower score - but the average scores in the top 12 were higher this year than last.

Evolution, Not Revolution

Generally, the 2009 list was marked by continued improvements in the fuel economy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions of scores of vehicles rather than by stellar performances from just one or two models.

Manufacturers are fine-tuning their engines and transmissions, improving materials, and adding emission control technologies, said ACEEE transportation program director Therese Langer.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (2); John O'Dell February 3, 2009, 5:00 AM
Categories:: Alternative Fuels, Chevrolet, Daimler, Diesel, Emissions, Flex-Fuel, Ford, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Green Vehicles, Honda, Hummer, Hybrid, Lamborghini, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Natural Gas, Nissan, Plug-ins and Electric, Pontiac, Smart, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen
Technorati Tags:: ACEEE Green Book Online

January 28, 2009

AM General Halts Hummer H2 Production Until at Least March, Lays Off 200 Workers

AM General has shut down production of the Hummer H2 until at least March and has temporarily laid off 200 workers who assembled the SUV.

Company spokesman Craig Mac Nab would not speculate on when production of the notorious gas-guzzler might resume.

"Nobody knows what's going to happen with the H2 plant," he said.

The production shutdown can be attributed to a drop in demand for the vehicle, which costs $56,700 and averages 10 miles per gallon.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett January 28, 2009, 11:50 AM
Categories:: Fuel Economy, Hummer
Technorati Tags:: AM General

November 25, 2008

GM, Ford and Chrysler CEOs May Make Their Next Trip to Washington by Automobile

After being skewered by Congress for using corporate jets to fly to Washington to seek a federal bailout, the chief executives of Detroit's three automakers may make their return trip to the U.S. capital by car.

They and others whose livelihood is dependent on Detroit's automotive industry spent the weekend discussing how to set up a giant car caravan for a road trip to the District of Columbia to press lawmakers into giving them taxpayers' dollars to rescue the Detroit 3.

It's unknown whether the executives might make the trip in a Hummer limousine or perhaps a small herd of Hummers. What is known is that GM CEO Rick Wagoner, Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli and Ford CEO Alan Mulally won't be going to Washington by corporate jet.

The carpool idea is intended to show Congress that more than three rich white men in expensive suits stand to lose their jobs if the automakers don't receive federal aid.

The notion of carpooling to the Capitol followed last week's disastrous hearings in front of two Congressional committees. Mulally, Nardelli and Wagoner traveled to Washington on separate corporate jets to seek $25 billion in government loans to help them make it through the worst U.S. auto sales downturn in a quarter-century.

Congress, though, abandoned a vote on the bailout after the appearances in which the automakers were criticized for lavish corporate travel as well as for having poor business plans to see the companies through the crisis.

It appeared the executives had no specific plan to change the way they do business in order to justify the bailout. Lawmakers have demanded restructuring plans by December 2, with hearings to follow.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (4); Scott Doggett November 25, 2008, 12:03 PM
Categories:: Chrysler, Emissions, Ford, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Hummer, Legislation
Technorati Tags:: Alan Mulally

July 22, 2008

Acura, Smart, Chevy Models Top List of Healthiest Cars Tested by Ecology Center

Soy foam in the seats the Ford F-150 pickups and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. Locally farmed hemp , "ethically produced" woolen fabric and floor mats made of sisal in the Lotus Eco Elise.

Some automakers are increasingly going to great lengths to make the interiors of some of their models if not environmentally friendly, at least a bit wholesome.

But others, well...

Early today the Ecology Center of Ann Arbor, Michigan, posted its second-annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars and children's car seats at www.HealthyCar.org.

More than two hundred 2008- and 2009-model-year vehicles and more than 60 children's car seats were tested for unhealthy chemicals that seep in gaseous form from the steering wheel, dashboard, armrests, seats and carpet.

The "new-car smell," as the gases are commonly called, mingle with the air occupants breathe and have been linked to allergies, birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity and cancer.

The Ecology Center reported that Mazda, General Motors and Nissan improved since last year's findings, with GM showing the greatest gains of the domestic automakers, with an average vehicle ranking improvement of 27 percent.

The list of the 10 best and 10 worst vehicles as picked by the Center appears in the chart above.

Average child-car-seat scores improved 28 percent overall. The list of 10 best and worst car seats for 2008 as picked by the Center appears at left. Click on the chart for a better look.

For more information, go to www.HealthyCar.org.

Below are the three worst 2008-model-year vehicles by interior pollution, according to the Center (click on each to enlarge). From left to right: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Suzuki Reno and Volkswagen New Beetle.

Below are are the three best vehicles by interior pollution, according to the Center (click on each to enlarge). From left to right: Acura RXD, Chevrolet Cobalt and Smart Passion Cabriolet.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett July 22, 2008, 12:21 AM
Categories:: Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Daimler, Dodge, Emissions, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, MINI, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Pontiac, Porsche, Renault, Saab, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Think, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo

July 15, 2008

General Motors to Cut Workers, Salaries, Production, Boost Green Car R&D

By Scott Doggett, Contributor

General Motors Corp. announced today that it will lay off salaried workers, cut truck production, borrow up to $3 billion and make additional investments in green-car technologies in response to the weak economy, high fuel prices, shifts in consumer vehicle preferences, and the lowest U.S. industry sales volumes in a decade.

GM said the moves will raise $15 billion to help cover losses and turn around its North American operations, including $10 billion from internal cost-cutting and $5 billion from selling some assets and borrowing against others.

"We are responding aggressively to the challenges of today's U.S. auto market," GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said in a broadcast to employees. "We remain committed to bringing to market great products that target changing consumer preferences for more fuel-efficient vehicles."

Wagoner noted that 11 of GM's 13 most recent major U.S. product launches, and 18 of its next 19 launches, are cars and crossovers, which are key growth areas.

Spending for non-product programs will also be reduced, the company said, but powertrain spending will be increased to support the development of alternative propulsion and fuel economy technologies and small-displacement engines.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett July 15, 2008, 1:58 PM
Categories:: Alternative Fuels, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Diesel, Emissions, Fuel Economy, Fuels & Technologies, General Motors, Hummer, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Plug-ins and Electric

June 23, 2008

Big Trucks, Big Engines, Big Mistakes: Auto DOAs

BMW's X6 gets critic's nod as one of silliest packages on the market.

As do most automotive evaluators, we here at Edmunds are criticized from time to time for having an import bias.

Well, if we ever did, Auto Observer sage Bill Visnic is putting things right today with a funny – and insightful – critique of a number of vehicles, foreign and domestic, that were given the green-light back when gas was cheap and the economy wasn't lying in a hospital bed on life support.

Sure, his piece on automotive DOAs skewers Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, but it doesn't do any favors for the likes of Honda, Toyota, Nissan, BMW and Volkswagen, either...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (2); John O'Dell June 23, 2008, 10:05 AM
Categories:: BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hummer, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen

June 19, 2008

Hummer Dealer Downsizes as GM Ponders Brand's Fate

By Dale Buss, Contributor

GM's Hummer has become the unofficial symbol of the anti-green.

The big, thirsty SUVs' principal purpose for many buyers seems to be to intimidate, or to shout to the neighbors that "hey, I make more than you and can afford to blow it on this ostentatious symbol of over-consumption."

As gas prices have crept past the $4 mark, General Motors has been pondering what to do with the tarnished but well-known brand: word filtering down from Detroit is that Hummer could be sold, or its lineup downsized with more earth- and fuel-friendly models.

While GM hasn’t decided – or at least hasn't announced -- the future of least fuel-efficient brand, one of the nation’s most successful auto dealers isn’t waiting around.

Bergstrom Automotive apparently plans to move its standalone Bergstrom Hummer Milwaukee dealership -- perched on Interstate 45 prominently overlooking one of the city’s most important thoroughfares -- into its nearby Bergstrom Chevrolet dealership.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell June 19, 2008, 6:06 PM
Categories:: Fuel Economy, General Motors, Hummer

February 28, 2008

Sign of the Times? California Hummer Store Closing

Hummers aren't as popular as they once were, thanks to soaring fuel prices.

Silicon Valley Hummer, which hearkens back to the days when the giant fuel-guzzling SUV was barely out of military camouflage and gasoline sold for a mere $1.40 a gallon, is holding a"going out of business" sale.

Unfortunately, its probably not the start of a national trend.

The San Jose Mercury News reports that while acknowledging that $3.44 a gallon gas and a growing credit crunch have hurt sales, dealership owner Ron Battistella says he's shutting down after giving back his franchise in a dispute with GM...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); John O'Dell February 28, 2008, 7:15 PM
Categories:: General Motors, Hummer