General Motors is going thru a cataclysmic change, one which will certainly pull the company out of its current money predicament or result in bankruptcy, even the probable dissolution of the company. In a quest to right the listing ship, the company is divesting itself of many brands including its share of Isuzu, Fuji Heavy Industries [Subaru], and others. As far as its wholly owned brands, speculation has been abundant that one, two, maybe even 3 brands might be canned or sold. Two of the most debated makes for possible divestment are Hummer - the niche military-style SUV brand - and Saab - the Swedish automaker. Although both brands are currently fairly weak, GM has insisted that the two makes will not only survive, but receive fresh product and backing. Let’s take a look at 2 of GM’s most exposed brands and what the company could have in store for each one.
Saab — Saab fans have been highly disappointed ever since General Motors gobbled up the Swedish automaker back during the early 1990s. Admirer’s hopes the brand would receive some deep pocket support haven’t quite worked out the way many would have wanted it to. Instead, the Saab brand is simply a shell of its previous self with most models based on other automaker’s platforms including the Subaru provoked 9-2x and the GMC inspired 9-7x.
Saab’s future quite possible rests with Opel, GM’s huge European brand based in Germany. Future production of some Saab automobiles is probably going to go to Germany with rebadged Opels being sold as Saabs. For the long term, look for each single Saab model to based on somebody else’s technology, effectively ending what was once a a unique Swedish brand.
Hummer — Desert Typhoon gave rise to the Humvee and soon after the war stopped, the AM General company started to produce civilian versions of its army car to fulfill consumer demand. By the late 1990s, General Motors bought out the rights to the Hummer name, but GM still relies on AM General to produce the two largest models, while building the H3 itself.
Despite intentionally low sales, the Hummer name has managed to prosper. Celebs , fiscal moguls, and common-or-garden voters have been interested in the brand which has given GM a bit of a “halo” effect. With gas prices surging, demand will certainly drop for the larger Hummers, but GM may counter that with stronger emphasis on the H3 and the development of the H4, a vehicle allegedly very similar to the compact Jeep Wrangler.
Of course, not everyone is happy with GM’s plans with the two brands, but then again these are not ordinary times for the struggling automaker. In time, GM’s plans may be refined and Saab could still be sold, especially if Swedish interests step forward. In all, GM is making an attempt to right its listing ship without peeling off too many brands. Will it work? That is hard to say, but if you’re a fan of the GM you certainly hope that it will.
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Tags: GM, hummer, production, saab