Who Owns Hummer Now? | The History of Hummer

Hummer first entered the consumer market in 1992. Its military roots go back to the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, also known as Humvee. It was put into service in 1983 and gained enough popularity to enter the civilian market. After a hiatus for the past decade, the Hummer nameplate is back as a General Motors brand.

Our team at #1 Cochran Buick GMC invites you to learn about Hummer’s history and the events that led to its re-launch into the high-performance electric vehicle marketplace.

Military Roots

Hummer is a civilian offshoot of the military Humvee produced by AM General, a South Bend, Indiana, manufacturer of military and heavy vehicles. AM General began producing Humvees in Mishawaka, Indiana, in 1984, launching the civilian version of Hummer in 1992. Humvees have been used in service worldwide, gaining visibility by handling rough desert terrain during the Gulf War of 1991.

GM Buys Hummer

General Motors acquired Hummer in 1999 and continued production of the original Hummer H1 until 2006. AM General produced the next model, the H2, from 2002 to 2009. General Motors was responsible for designing and marketing the new offering. The H2 and H3 models were built on smaller platforms.

The H3 model was the first to be produced by General Motors, built in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Port Elizabeth, South Africa, from 2005 to 2010. General Motors ceased production in 2010, but Hummer re-entered the marketplace in 2022 with an electric pickup truck and SUV models sold under the GMC badge.

Hummer H1 (1992-2006)

The H1 model was the first Humvee built for the civilian market after demand rose for its military counterpart. It’s the model with the closest ties to the military’s Humvee, sharing an assembly line in Indiana, frame and body panels, axles, brakes, and other components. Produced side-by-side with the military version, civilian models were painted and received their finishing touches in a separate building.

With two- and four-door options, the H1 had five engines and three automatic transmission options ranging from a 5.7-liter gas-powered V-8 to a 6.6-liter turbo diesel paired with four-speed or five-speed transmissions.

Hummer H2 (2002-2009)

The Hummer H2 model was built under contract with General Motors by AM General in Mishawaka, Indiana, using a smaller platform than the H1. Its frame is a fusion of a modified General Motors three-quarter-ton pickup frame in the front and a half-ton 1500 frame in the rear. General Motors designed and marketed the model.

The H2 had 6.0-liter and 6.2-liter V-8 engines paired with four- and six-speed automatic transmissions. This model came with high-end standard features such as three-zone air conditioning, custom five-link coil spring suspension, and oversized tires.

Hummer H3 (2005-2010)

The H3 was the smallest Hummer model and was the first assembled at a General Motors plant. With a chassis modified and reinforced for heavy off-roading, it shares about 10% of its components with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.

The H3 had smaller engine offerings, ranging from a 3.5-liter inline five-cylinder to a 5.3-liter eight-cylinder paired with a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. This model had features including traction control and full-time four-wheel drive. Since the H3 and H3 Truck were smaller and had a lower price tag, luxury features weren’t standard, but the H3 series came well equipped with the essentials.

Hummer’s move to electric power made it to the prototype level in 2009, with a plug-in hybrid H3 model that could reach up to 100 mpg by relying on battery power more than regular hybrid models did. Called the Electric Hummer H3, the model was showcased as an environmentally friendly option but didn’t move beyond the prototype stage.

Assembly Lines Shut Down

General Motors closed out its final Hummer orders in 2010, shutting down the assembly lines at the Shreveport, Louisiana, factory. A Chinese manufacturer’s bid to buy the SUV line fell through after Chinese government regulators declined to approve the $150 million offer. About 150 dealerships closed out their Hummer lines. The Shreveport factory continued to produce GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Canyon midsize trucks.

GM was focusing on its four core brands, GMC, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Buick, while emerging from the Great Recession. They shelved the Hummer brand for the next decade.

Hummer Goes Electric

The industrywide move toward more electric vehicle (EV) offerings has moved to the all-terrain SUV market. GMC is bringing two all-electric supertrucks to the market: the GMC Hummer EV Pickup and the GMC Hummer EV SUV. Both use the Ultium Platform that General Motors uses to provide full power and top performance to EVs of all sizes. The modular battery and the drive unit power everything from cars to larger trucks and commercial vehicles.

Both offerings handle multiple terrains while maintaining comfort and featuring innovative conveniences. Rear seats fold for extra space, and plenty of extra space is available in under-floor storage compartments. Like regular Hummer models, adaptable touch-screen displays provide access to all the information you need.

The Hummer EV has a 200-mile plus range after a 30-minute fast charge. It has a 200 kWh battery and offers up to 1,000 horsepower. With acceleration from zero to 60 mph in three seconds, the EV has a range of 300 to 350 miles with a full charge. General Motors builds the EVs at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant.

The GMC EV Pickup and SUV have two distinct body styles with unique features and functions. The pickup and SUV both have a solid 7,500-pound towing capacity. The pickup boasts up to 1,000 horsepower with three electric motors, a five-foot lined bed, hands-free driver assistance, and available underbody armor and four-wheel steering. The SUV has 830 horsepower, 48 cubic feet of cargo space, in-cabin storage, and technology, including voice commands.

Check Out #1 Cochran’s Selection

Highlights of the latest Hummer options include the Infinity Roof, which provides marvelous views of the open skies, and multiple cameras for viewing forward, backward, and even the terrain under the SUV. From highway travel to extreme off-roading, the Hummer EV line offers many safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Extreme terrain options include 35-inch all-terrain tires, skid plates, fortified axles, extra cameras, and a locking front differential.

The 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV will be available by reservation in early 2023 at Cochran Cars. Prices range from $79,995 to $105,595, excluding fees and optional equipment. Choose from four trim packages: EV2, EV2X, EV3X, and Edition 1. Call us today at 330-272-0311 or complete our secure online form to get started.

Hummer by frankieleon is licensed with CC BY 2.0