Saturn, Hummer on auction, or chopping, block

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: MSNBC

Whether or not General Motors files for bankruptcy protection, the carmaker has made clear that its future plans do not include two brands — Saturn and Hummer — that once seemed to hold immense promise for the company.

GM has said it will decide this year whether to sell or discontinue both brands as part of the stringent cost-cutting measures aimed at trying to restore the ailing company’s financial stability. The overall effort also has created an uncertain future for two other GM divisions, Saab and Opel.

Even with such efforts, however, many believe the company will be forced to file for bankruptcy protection, perhaps as soon as Monday.

GM spokesman John M. McDonald said this week the automaker has identified parties interested in purchasing Saturn and Hummer, but he would not provide specifics on who might be interested or when any deals might be reached.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30986233/

[liberal N proud]

1. I would think that the Hummer business would still be lucrative

With all of them that get destroyed in Iraq and Afghanistan, replacement would keep GM busy.

[onager]

2. GM doesn't own the military version. Probably wish they did!

GM only sells the civilian version, trademarked as "Hummer." Military versions ("Humvee") are still built by the original designer/contractor, AM General. (The "AM" stands for "American Motors," if you remember them.)

In 2002, AM General began assembling the HUMMER H2, a new "next generation" sport utility vehicle designed by GM, at a new factory in Mishawaka.

GM now has responsibility for marketing and distributing all HUMMERs. Although GM acquired the HUMMER brand, they do not own any part of AM General.

AM General and Humvee are registered trademarks of AM General LLC. HUMMER, H1 and H2 are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation.



http://www.amgeneral.com/corporate/history.php

[mdmc]

3. I think it is time for AM General LLC to get back into the car biz

[FarCenter]

4. GM to Produce HUMMER H3 at Shreveport Plant

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2004/10/27/264956.html

BATON ROUGE, La.--Oct. 27, 2004--Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco today hailed General Motors' selection of Shreveport for its new HUMMER H3 product line, Louisiana's third major manufacturing announcement in the last three months.

To accommodate its newest line of trucks, GM will invest approximately $250 million to produce the H3, bringing the company's recent investments in the plant to $1 billion.

"These types of investments happen when you combine a modern facility with the nation's most productive workforce. The nation's companies are changing their view of the new economic climate in Louisiana," said Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco. "We value GM's commitment to northwest Louisiana."

"GM's investment in Shreveport will help grow the economy while helping to build job security for our highly skilled workforce," said Joe Spielman, Vice President and General Manager of Vehicle Manufacturing.

Originally built in 1981, GM's manufacturing plant in Shreveport built the S-10 series of Chevrolet and GMC trucks. The facility added two more lines in 2001 with the Colorado and Canyon truck lines.

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The Hummer H3s are built on the compact pickup platform like the Colorado and Canyon. They are not built by AM General.

They are also manufactured in South Africa.

[KansDem]

5. I don't know about Saturn, but Hummers should never have been made...

And Bush and the GOP Congress should never have passed a $100,000 tax credit for owners of these (and other gas-guzzling monster vehicles).

What a wa$te of re$ource$...