Hummer closure could be death of 4×4 limos

Just as there seems to be a way forward for the 4×4 limousine in the UK, GM has announced it is to stop making the Hummer brand.

A rush of buyers of existing units is now expected following the sale of Hummer to Chinese company Tengzhong collapsed and GM bosses decided to wind down the business.

The controversial gas guzzler has caused a storm within the limousine market over the past six years and dealers in the UK are now making Certificate Of Initial Fitness conversions to make them fully legal to operate.

Danny Cawley from Hummerzine, which carries out the COIF conversions, commented; “It is sad news for both the industry and Hummer lovers. Prices of the current model H2 has been increasing dramatically on the forecourts in the U.S, so I would expect that to continue.”

He added; “There is absolutely nothing to replace it. Later this year, all limos designed to carry more than eight will have to be built to IVA specifications. As far as I know, there isn’t a manufacturer developing a new limousine to meet these requirements, so who knows what the future holds for the market.”

GM will apparently continue to honour Hummer warranties, while providing service support and spare parts to current owners around the world. It could however mean good news for those who already have H2 or H3 limousines in the UK as prices are expected to rise as long as the vehicle remains desirable.

Richard Silvester, Managing Director of HummerHummer, UK’s Hummer specialist told thechauffeur.com; “It is a sad day for GM although on reflection the close of the Hummer brand will in time only increase its following from within its strong, underground fan base. On a smaller scale I am confident this news will spurn opportunity for Hummer fanatics such as ourselves to help maintain its iconic status and reinvent the brand for any generations to come.”

It is unknown as to what the closure of Hummer will actually mean to the industry, but it is hoped another manufacturer will enter the market over the coming years with a vehicle which creates the demand the H2 generated.

0 comments

Other articlesgo to homepage

	Novelty limousines hit headlines(0) It’s been a very busy week for the UK novelty limousine business with two stories hitting the national news – one true and apparently one false. Limo Broker based in south Wales revealed some computer generated images of an Audi R8 limousine which is being developed by Carbonyte UK, the same company behind the Ferrari

	Fiat 500 given the stretch limo treatment(0) An Italian coach builder is celebrating its launch into the U.S market by revealing images of its Fiat 500 stretched limousines. Carrozzeria Castagna of Milan is currently developing a number of versions of the bizarre choice of vehicle which apparently focuses on the theme of American Limousines. The LimoCity, LimoSun President (pictured above) and Landaulet have been extended

	U.S limo magazine boss arrested(0) Iric Cohen, founder and CEO of American based industry magazine, Limousine Digest, was arrested on Wednesday and charged for kidnapping and sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman earlier this month. The alleged attack is still under investigation, police said, so not many details have emerged. The Mount Laurel Police Department said Cohen and a man named

	Limo hire firm tells of crackdown experience(0) A limousine hire firm has told of their experiences following an inspection from VOSA officials as part of the recent crackdown. TheChauffeur.com reported last week that the incorrect registration of around 150 stretched limousines with DVLA sparked an array of notices to a number UK firms which were followed-up with strict tests on their vehicles.

	Limo registrations spark VOSA crackdown(0) The UK’s limousine industry is being targeted by government agencies in yet another crackdown. Hundreds of companies throughout the country have been receiving notifications by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) of an impending visit by an enforcement officer. Many have reported that strict tests and processes on every limousine are being carried out,