HUMMER dealership off-road course

[SteveRH]

So I was told that only trained drivers are allowed to drive on the off-road course at the dealerships... On top of that, one of the dealership mechanics supposedly blew a transmission at the Dallas location...
Anyone hear about this?

[SteveRH]

So I was told that only trained drivers are allowed to drive on the off-road course at the dealerships... On top of that, one of the dealership mechanics supposedly blew a transmission at the Dallas location...
Anyone hear about this?

[H3 Hummer]

Didn't hear about the transmission but the other is BS. Like those fat butts are trained. Like anyone is trained.

The fact that they built the course was for selling purposes so buyers could easily experience the possibilites of this truck.

If they have to be trained or knowlegeable then you limit your customer base.

Plus what is trained? It is just an opinion.

If I drive a Yugo down a country lane am I trained in off-roading? Not really but who makes that decision of who is trained or not.

I hate this BS (as you can tell). I look like I am 20 years old and weigh about 115 pounds.

So when I finally wrote a check out for over $50,000 on my BMW was the only time they gave me respect.

When I go to a dealership now I want the respect or I go someone else. I would have to say they don't respect you or are biased and that is just BS.

Don't put up with their crap?

Was this Sewell because they are usually good?

[Hummer Guy]

We haven't had any transmissions blow, but the course does have some issues that we're ironing out (things like a little more concrete in areas so the landscaping doesn't get messed up -- don't blame me, I was never in favor of concrete to begin with. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif ) I'm not opposed to customers driving through the course, but it can be tricky. Just because these vehicles are very capabable, it doesn't mean that they are invincibile (common misconception) And there's a lot of easy ways to cause damage if you don't know what you're doing. The course is designed to show the maximum capabilities...that means technically and theoretically you shouldn't take on anything more extreme. Basically you've got people driving expensive trucks they may have never driven before, never off-roaded, never used brake-throttle modulation, taking on the extremes with little room for error. As far as training goes, dealers are required to go to South Bend, IN to Hummer's official training grounds (the same place they teach Special Forces, Marines, etc) for a few days in both classroom training and most of the time in-vehicle training. I used to teach dealers at the course when the H2s came out, and then I taught H1 and H2 off-roading at a resort.

The tracks are built for demonstrating the capabilities of the vehicle, not necessarily for teaching a potential buyer how to off-road. Once our track is complete, we will have off-road clinics to teach people how to use their trucks, and they may even open it up to potential buyers -- which I think would be a great opportunity to market the Hummer experience.

I was just revisiting the South Bend course when one of the co-directors of the facility was driving. I asked him what kinds of repairs they have to do most often, and he said they had some tie-rod issues, etc. While he was talking about it, one of our back sway bar links popped.

Bottom line, I've been in the passenger's seat while tons of new drivers were off-roading. I have no problem letting people drive through our course. Our insurance company and warranty department may feel otherwise.

[SteveRH]

Thanks for your reply Brian. The course looks killer either way and it's always an eye opener when you drive by on Lemmon. There's 2 HUMMERS way up on the hill on the course... Kinda makes you feel a bit sad for living in Dallas (it's a bit flat)...

[DWPC]

Very few Land Rover dealers let customers drive on their "off-road" course either. My Hummer dealer parks H3s on his and only one guy is allowed to move them.

[Hummer Guy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DWPC:
My Hummer dealer parks H3s on his and only one guy is allowed to move them. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

We have a couple right now who have gone through the training...but not many -- they are scheduled to go soon. But 5 is a pretty good number considering we have 12 Hummer-only salespeople. Can't wait to get the track finished up. Thanks for the nice comments on the track -- we try to change it up every couple days.

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3 Hummer:
If I drive a Yugo down a country lane am I trained in off-roading? Not really but who makes that decision of who is trained or not.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Only if you finish the drive with all the body parts still attached to the Yugo. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[DarthKarl]

Yesterday I finally got to drive White's Mountain's Hummer's course in Casper, WY. It's very impressive what an H3 can do. I had a blast, but I have to admit it was a little disconcerting going up (and down) a 60 degree incline.

For our run, the Manager drove 1st with me as a passenger (he said it was for their insurance requirements) and then he let me have a turn. Even though I've had my Hummer for about a month, it seems like a great marketing move...I can see some people buying one on the spot based on driving the course alone.

[SteveRH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DarthKarl:
I had a blast, but I have to admit it was a little disconcerting going up (and down) a 60 degree incline. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That must have been stellar when the only thing you can see through the wind screen is the sky!!!

[DarthKarl]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SteveRH:
That must have been stellar when the only thing you can see through the wind screen is the sky!!! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes it was! It felt like being in the space shuttle...only going 2 mph.

[SteveRH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DarthKarl:
Yes it was! It felt like being in the space shuttle...only going 2 mph. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well damn... I'm going to go get some ice cream of the future and a bottle of tang and hit my dealer!!! That's excitement!!!

[sredish]

Can someone post a pic of this course? I'm taking the wife to Plano Sewell today and hopefully coming home with one for her. I was going to make the drive a little further (I'm 1.5 hours north of D/FW) and just head to the Dallas one, but time didn't allow it.

[Hummer Guy]

Sewell Dallas' Off-Road Course...

[Hummer Guy]

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[Hummer Guy]

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[Hummer Guy]

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[sredish]

Noice!! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Hummer Guy]

Want to go on it? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[sredish]

Wife just picked up her Yellow Lux in Plano. It'd be fun to bring it. Wonder if they'd let me on it with my Jeep or F250? hehe j/k. Don't know that I could make the trip all the way there just for that, especially with all the outdoors here, but maybe I can plan it around something...