GM’s iconic Hummer brand has been acquired by a Chinese heavy construction equipment maker for about $150 million, marking another step in the long march by China to develop a world class local automobile industry. The deal, which was announced on the General Motors website, stipulates the manufacture of all Hummer brand vehicles will continue at its U.S. plants until 2011, ensuring 3,000 workers will keep their jobs. Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. will take 80% and a Chinese entrepreneur from Sichuan province in China’s interior, Suolang Duoji will take 20%.

Tengzhong was an obscure private company until it made headlines in June announcing it was in talks with GM to buy Hummer. Initially the official Chinese press conveyed Beijing’s displeasure over such a deal, claiming that the purchase of the gas guzzling Hummer brand was not in keeping with the country’s goal of cleaning up its environment. However insiders said that what really rankled the authorities was that Tengzhong did not seek approval from the central government before making the bid. All overseas investments require the government’s blessing, and Beijing is particularly sensitive to how attempted overseas purchases would be perceived by a world that is increasingly wary of the country’s growing economic might.

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Hummer Romario Hot Car Picture

Hummer Romario

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Hummer H2 Car Pictures

Hummer H2

Hummer H2

Hummer H2

Hummer H2

H2s have all-wheel drive with low-range gearing for off-road use. Off-road equipment designed to cope with severe conditions is available. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain side airbags.

Hummer H2

Also standard are OnStar assistance and leather upholstery with heated 1st- and 2nd-row seats. A wireless cell-phone link, heated steering wheel, and power-tilt steering column are among the new features on the 2009 H2.

Hummer H2 5

The 2009 Hummer H2 gains the ability to run on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. This premium large SUV is available as a 4-door wagon or the SUT, which is a crew-cab pickup truck. Like the Chevrolet Avalanche, the SUT features a folding midgate between the cabin and cargo bed. The H2 wagon can seat up to seven; 2nd-row bucket seats are newly available for 2009.

Hummer H2 2

Hummer H2 3

Hummer H2 4

A wireless cell-phone link, heated steering wheel, and power-tilt steering column are among the new features on the 2009 H2.

The 2009 Hummer H3 adds a crew-cab pickup truck body style to its roster. Otherwise, the lineup for this off-road-ready midsize SUV is largely unchanged. The pickup, called H3T, is larger than Chevrolet’s Colorado compact pickup but smaller than the full-size Silverado.

Base versions of the H3 wagon and H3T have a 239-hp 3.7-liter 5-cylinder engine. The top-line Alpha sports a 300-hp 5.3-liter V8. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on the base wagon and pickup. The Alpha has a standard 4-speed automatic. Maximum towing capacity with the 5-cylinder is 3000 lb with the manual transmission and 4500 lb with the automatic.

This feature carries over to the pickup as well. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain side airbags. GM’s OnStar assistance is standard. A rearview camera is available, along with a navigation system.

 

Note that Hummer also offers an H3X model as a 5-cylinder wagon with automatic transmission. It includes chrome wheels and other specific trim. These features are available as an H3X Package on Alpha wagons.

Hummer H3

Hummer Cartoon Photos