Rumours pointing to a rebirth of the Hummer brand with an electric utility model have resurfaced at regular intervals over the past two or three years. They’re back again, which of course calls to mind the “where’s there’s smoke, there’s fire” cliché.
This time, a report by Reuters makes the claim that an electric Hummer might eventually join the ranks of SUVs and pickups under the General Motors banner, and even that it would be assembled at the company’s Detroit-Hamtramck plant.
The timeframe for developing and producing the model is two years, according to the news agency.
Recall that back in 2008 GM presented a concept called the HX, which was intended as an eventual rival to the Jeep Wrangler. That model never advanced further as the financial crisis that came soon after wreaked havoc with the industry – and the idea of a new Hummer.
More recently, the AM General company, which sold the Hummer name to GM, unveiled a military version of the new Jeep Gladiator. At GM, a similar variant of the Colorado pickup is also in the works.
Time will tell how serious this latest tidbit is, but there’s no question that for manufacturers, these are potentially very profitable avenues to pursue that will generate strong visibility to go with the profits.
As for an eventual Electric Hummer, the possibility is under consideration at GM, but such a model would have to wait its turn. First in line would be an electric pickup, followed by an electric SUV under the Cadillac banner; these are expected in 2021 and 2023, respectively. Any new Hummer, electric or otherwise, would only see the light of day after that.