The 2006 "Baby Hummer" H3: "trying to sell a car based on what it isn't"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

For ‘the baby Hummer,’ it's all relative
2006 H3 more fuel efficient than older siblings, not much else



The first line of Hummer's press release on its newest and smallest model, the 2006 H3 sport utility, speaks to the issues the brand faces by referring to the new vehicle as a "smaller, more fuel-efficient package."

Talk about trying to sell a car based on what it isn't. The H3, which was developed under the supervision of parent company General Motors and introduced last week at the California International Auto Show in Anaheim, may be nicknamed "the baby Hummer" by auto industry insiders, but the vehicle is only small in comparison to other Hummers.

Labeling a Hummer "fuel-efficient" is even more puzzling. After all, The Sierra Club started a Web site just to mock Hummer: hummerdinger.com. The site contains parodies of news items, like those from The Onion, including a headline that reads, "EPA Announces New Model Year Fuel Economy: The Good, The Bad and The Hummer" and a poll that suggests Jackson Browne's "Running on Empty" should be the official soundtrack of Hummer.

Why Hummer is trying to rewrite its brand image makes sense, particularly at a time when oil is selling for over $50 a barrel. In the first nine months of this year, American sales of its two current model lines, the H1 and H2, declined by 20 percent compared to the same period last year. One reader predicts that Hummer will be "the next Merkur, or Eagle (two defunct brands)."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6406398/

[sbj405]

1. Well, that's essentially what the H2 is.

More closel related to the Subrurban and Chevy pickups than the military hummvee.

[Shoeempress]

2. I just don't get the Humvee infatuation. As far as I can tell people

drive them in case Canada attacks.

[Enraged_Ape]

3. You mean, even LESS room inside than a Hummer H2? YIPPEE!!

I will never, ever get the fascination with these cramped, topheavy shitwagons.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. By 2006, what will gas prices be?

Is the idea of announcing this a year in advance that they have a year to persuade people that 20 mpg is impressive?

[RetroLounge]

5. Why does it have a Jeep Grill?

Ugly thing...

RL

[CO Liberal]

6. Daimler-Chrysler is Asking The Same Question

Seven vertical openings is a Jeep trademark. I don't know how GM gets away with that.

[tjdee]

7. The Hummer is SO friggin ugly.

Ignoring the fuel efficiency for a minute--

It so obviously is for rich folks who want to get their rocks off, because they are not aesthetically beautiful in the slightest. They lok like big ugly military cars (I know, LOL) and even though my sweet baby Adrien Brody :loveya: drives one, YUCK.

[BiggJawn]

8. Word to Hummer owners....

Driving one of these POS-wagens does NOT convince women that you have a huge crank. They're wise to that trick.

You wanna impress the ladies and can't get to Manny's in Villa Park? Buy a Prius.