It didn't take long for General Motors to take this concept from dream into reality. First GM had to negotiate with AM General for Hummer retail and naming rights in mid-1999. Next a team was put together to look into a possible concept vehicle for this year's Detroit Auto Show.
The question that needed to be answered was: "Just what is a Hummer?" Next, the concepts design and engineering team started off on their race in late August to have it finished for January 2000.
The assignment was a challenge. The next Hummer needed to be completely new, yet conjure up the same emotions that the current vehicle does. It needed to be more civilized, yet adhere to the current trucks toughness and off-road abilities.
Once the initial decisions and concept definitions were made, the design team assembled a scale model in less than a week. Through the use of calculate data the vehicle came together quickly in the form you see it now, while staying mostly true to the initial vision of the design team. "We didn't derail from what our first vision was," Dean said. "All we did was enhance it. We were very confident that what we had done was correct for the vehicle."
Input, direction and final approval came from AM General, helping the design team to know that they were on track. "Their involvement was key," Dean commented. "They made sure we didn't detract from the essence and heritage of Hummer, and they had great insight. After they reviewed the vehicle they were confident that we were going in the right direction with the brand."
The results are proof in point. There is no doubt that the H2 is a Hummer. It couldn't be anything else. Albeit, with a shorter wheelbase for great handling on-road and off. Its overhangs are shorter too, providing easy parking for those adventurous shopping expeditions.