The Demo Site

So now that HUMMER is going to be owned by a Chinese company, Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., what type of vehicles are we going to see in the future? The folks over at The Detroit Bureau recently sat down with Hummer’s boss Jim Taylor to discuss just that and much more.

According to Taylor, Hummer is going to head towards CAFE compliance, meaning you’re going to see smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles from the gas-guzzling brand.

“Think of the smaller H4 we were showing at the auto show and it could safely conjectured we would enter into that space,” Taylor said.

When asked about Hummer’s hybrid future and the recent 100 mpg Hummer plug-on prototype built by a supplier, Taylor said: “It’s a big number to take on, a ground-up hybrid or electric vehicle, but it’d make a lot of sense for the Hummer brand.”

Given about 5 years, Hummer plans on incorporating various forms of alternative propulsion including diesels, hybrids and plug-in hybrids.

“It’s a little-known fact we’re just launching a diesel in the H3 in South Africa,” said Taylor. “When we bring it back to Shreveport, our intent is to make a version for the U.S., but right now, it’s not (emission law) compliant and we have to decide whether to invest the money.”

As for the H2, Taylor said that the model will live one since it sets a strong brand image in Russia and China.

He said that Tengzhong’s control over where Hummer will be very hands-off. Hummer is expected to continue its ties with GM and will continue to contract manufacturing and other services from GM until a scheduled time period.

“They aren’t in the car business, so they won’t come and pretend they’re smarter than us, which is the risk when you’re acquired by another car company.”

You can read more if Taylor’s interview over at The Detroit Bureau.

Source: The Detroit Bureau