General Motors Corp. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz earlier introduced a prototype right-hand-drive HUMMER H3. The prototype version of the vehicle was launched during the opening ceremony of the new HUMMER Bauer Millett facility in Manchester.
"HUMMER's iconic design and unparalleled off-road capabilities appeal to a wide audience globally. We are determined to build upon the brand's unique recognition in Europe and especially here in the UK," said Lutz. The new right-hand-drive H3 will be assembled at GM's Struandale plants which are located in South Africa, Japan and Australia.
HUMMER, a sport utility vehicles brand, was acquired by GM in late 1999. The product lines of the company are based on the Humvee or the military High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle. The HUMMER is one of the bigger SUVs with proportionate fuel consumption.
The H3 debuted in North America in May 2005. Since then, the vehicle has helped the company become one of the fastest-growing truck brands in America by the end of the previous year. With its smaller package, the new H3 is made more accessible to more truck aficionados. Nonetheless, the package is meticulously designed so as not to compromise the distinct qualities of HUMMER, which is famed for its unique, iconic design and unmatched off-road performance.
Since its inception in the American market, HUMMER has showcased significant growth worldwide. In 2006, the sales of the company increased by about 34 percent globally with 82,000 vehicles sold. The budding performance of the automaker is expected to be pushed a little further by the new HUMMER H3.
The previous generations of the HUMMER H3 have been assembled in the North American facility of GM in Shreveport, Louisiana. However, the new international H3, which is primarily intended for most markets outside of North America, will be built at the Struandale Assembly Facility of GM in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The automaker has expended over $100 million to prepare for production of the new vehicle.
The HUMMER H3 is designed to respond to premium daily driving needs while offering the legendary performance. The vehicle is equipped with a 3.7-litre engine with the choice of a manual or automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system. To bolster the maximum strength of the HUMMER H3, it is given an efficient . The distinct HUMMER capability is boosted by more compact dimensions. Compared to its predecessors, the HUMMER H3 is 39 mm shorter, 171 mm lower and 73 mm narrower. Hence, the vehicle could also be used to navigate city traffic but retains the climbing and crawling off-road performance.
