Japan's 213 Motoring Builds the Ultimate Six Hummer H2

For those still living in 2005, 213 Motoring (Japanese tuner Calwing's US division) has got just what you need to get to the prom in style: a supremely decked-out 6-wheeled H2.

The metropolitan tank gets a huge dose of Extenze to fit that extra axle (and super-size the interior), a body kit, a new exhaust system and a dozen extra lights on its nose.

Inside is just what people have come to expect from limousines: leather, plush carpeting, big TV screens, and liquor. Just what you need to get the party started.

By Phil Alex

Via: Jonsibal & 213 Motoring

Wind it Down: Say Good-bye to Hummer as Chinese Deal goes from... Sweet to Sour

As of today, General Motors has officially declared that Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co., Ltd. (try saying that ten times fast, I'll wait) won't be buying the Hummer brand after all. If you don't recall, Tengzhong is the Chinese company that thought it could make the Hummer business work in today's world.

There are many rumors to as why China officials would not support the transaction including Beijing's political agendas and environmental concerns (wait, Hummer's aren't efficient and green?), but fact is, the proposed deal is dead.

And since everything has fallen through, Hummer will begin its official "wind-down", as GM puts it. On the upside, everyone driving a Hummer now owns a future collectible. Congratulations!

GM Vice President of Corporate Planning and Alliance, John Smith, had this to say:

"One year ago, General Motors announced that we were going to divest HUMMER, as part of focusing our efforts on Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac going forward. We have since considered a number of possibilities for HUMMER along the way, and we are disappointed that the deal with Tengzhong could not be completed. GM will now work closely with HUMMER employees, dealers and suppliers to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner."

The General goes on to say that it will be honoring all warranties and will continue to provide replacement parts and all the other necessities to Hummer customers (kind of like what they're doing with Saturn, Pontiac, and old-Saab).

Hey, Hummer owners: why not rally together like those Saab fanatics and try to save the brand? Oh wait, Hummers are silly (and Trix are for kids).

-By Phil Alex

Hummer HB Compact Off Roader Design Concept

Truth to be said, no one knows what the future beholds for Hummer now that GM sold the brand to a little-known Chinese company called Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. But that hasn't deterred independent designers like Andrus Ciprian from envisioning future products for Hummer.

In keeping with the downsizing theme of the industry, the Romanian designer's proposal is an extremely compact off-roader called the HB that features almost no front and rear overhangs, a high road clearance and huge tires.

The designer says that the Hummer HB adopts a body-on-frame construction with power being provided by a biofuel capable V6 engine.

There are two versions of the HB, one with a smaller windscreen split into three sections and an array of cameras that relay video to the driver through screens, and another with a conventional windscreen and additional lights on the roof, designed for the more serious off-roader.

Designer: Andrus Ciprian , Via: Diseno-art

GM Seals Deal to Sell Hummer to China's Sichuan Tengzhong

General Motors officially announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Hummer unit to China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd. The sale comes only four months after GM announced that it entered talks with the Chinese heavy equipment maker. Sichuan Tengzhong will purchase Hummer through an investment entity, in which it will hold an 80 per cent stake, while Hong Kong investor Suolang Duoji, a private entrepreneur, will get the remaining 20 per cent stake.

"HUMMER is a strong global niche brand and this agreement signifies another important milestone in writing the next chapter for both GM and HUMMER," said Fritz Henderson, GM President and CEO. "For HUMMER, the combination of its knowledgeable leadership team, vehicle design expertise and the capital financing of Tengzhong portend a successful future."

Although GM did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement media reports claim that the sale price was around $150 million.

GM said that under the terms of the final agreement, the Chinese company will acquire the ownership of the HUMMER brand, trademark and tradenames, as well as specific IP license rights necessary for the manufacture of HUMMER vehicles.

Sichuan Tengzhong will also get manufacturing, key components and business services from GM during a transitional time period, which was not defined by the Detroit automaker. As an example, GM said that its Shreveport assembly plant would continue to contract assemble the H3 and H3T models while AM General's Mishawaka assembly plant will continue to assemble the H2, both until June 2011, with an optional one year extension until June 2012.

"This transaction marks an exciting step for both Tengzhong and HUMMER, as we invest in a business that has significant opportunity in the U.S. and around the globe," said Yang Yi, chief executive officer of Tengzhong. "We are excited about some of the initiatives already underway at HUMMER that we believe our investment will be able to accelerate, particularly related to the creation of the next generation of more fuel-efficient vehicles to meet not only future regulations but also customer expectations."

Handmade Hummer H1 Replica Built with Ford Parts Including F150 Frame!

So what do you do when you're in the bizarre position of being a Ford nut that wants a Hummer but doesn't have enough money to buy one? Well, while most people would just forget about it, FullSizeBronco (FSB) forum member Francois (aka H150) decided to take matters in his own hands -literally- and build a full-size replica of the Hummer H1 using bits and pieces from various Ford models including the frame of a 1987 F150 4x4, the rear axle from a 1991 E250 van and a 7.3-liter Powerstroke diesel engine from a shuttle van.

And mind you, this handyman didn't choose the easy way out by using a fibreglass kit. Instead he painstakingly fabricated the Hummer body out of steel. Five years later and he has almost reached the end of this amazing journey as there are only a few pesky details left to finish up the project that has been baptized for apparent reasons, Hummer H150. Kudos to you sir, you definitely deserve it!

Source: FBS , Via: Jalopnik