Martin Walsh, Hummer GM, speaks out

[HummerMann]

Martin Walsh, Hummer General Manager speaks out on Hummer speculation on GM fastlane blog.
http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2008/06/a_note_from_hum_1.html

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Search Results from GM FastLane Blog

A Note from HUMMER: Let the Speculating Begin (http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2008/06/a_note_from_hum_1.html)

By Martin Walsh General Manager, HUMMER In preparing for the announcement about General Motor’s putting HUMMER up for strategic review this week, we anticipated that subsequent rumors and speculation about the brand’s fate would soon begin. They have, and we can expect these things to swirl while we examine possible outcomes. But I want you to know that in the end I believe the HUMMER name, and it’s line-up of iconic vehicles, will still be purchased and enjoyed by customers around the world. Globally, in eight short years, the HUMMER name has become one of the strongest brand names in the automotive industry. Today HUMMER vehicles are sold in 37 different countries around the globe. And outside the US, where the world has been living with high fuel prices for the past decade, 2008 sales through April were up 34.8% compared to 2007. It is a high-end product that holds inherent profit potential and already has a loyal and vibrant customer base. And, with nearly 60 % of HUMMER customers coming from outside GM product lines, it has highest conquest rate of any brand in the GM portfolio and HUMMER buyers are among GM’s youngest and most affluent.

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Yeah so why are they offering to Tata?

[RazM]

Yeah so why are they offering to Tata?

Probably because GM believes the only way to get a "green" image is to dump what the public perceives as "Gas Guzzlers" or "Earth Destroyers."

Lets face it, GM has the WORST marketing execs of any company.
Instead of creating commercials that compare the H2/H3 against the competition and educating their potential customers, they create a commercial of an H3 diving into the ocean and transforming into a submarine...

They should have focused on the off-road capabilities and direct competition comparisons, and HUMMER would have a drastically different image.

Basically, GM treated HUMMER like a second Cadillac.

[HummerJim]

I have to agree wholeheartedly! When the H3 came out they had good commercials in '05. When was the last time you saw an H2 commercial on TV? GM Marketing has treated the Hummer as a poor stepchild. I realize 50 or 60,000 units is just a drop in the bucket for GM, but the demagraphics of Hummer buyers is unique. This reminds me so much of the talk of dropping the Corvette line after the fuel crisis in '73! There's no getting around the fact that next to the vette the Hummer is the most unique vehicle GM sells and they both cater to upscale well educated buyers.
If GM wants to sell it or revamp it ....fine, but what it needs the most is to be better marketed! I'd start out the effort with TV footage of Hummers doing flood rescue as seen on TV in the Midwest or doing work on the ranch in the mud, then work back to the Miami CSI image and upscale image gradually. Commercials should show the unique abilities of these vehicles - that's why most of us bought them!

[Yetti]

I think you guys are letting the media fool you. I heard last week that a bid was made by Tata to buy jeep again. this time they offered to pay Cerberus $17 billion just for jeep brand. thats what Cerberus paid for the whole Chrysler corp.

now heres the clincher...

If Cerberus sells jeep will tata keep it in the U.S.?
everything I have read about Tata says no. I think it would be the end for jeep in the U.S. market. now if I read my car maker signals right GM is waiting in the wings with a quick launch of the H4 for major coo if the Jeep name splits off.

[nychot]

Martin Walsh, Hummer General Manager speaks out on Hummer speculation on GM fastlane blog.
http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2008/06/a_note_from_hum_1.html


typical say nothing rah-rah corporate bull****. he'll probably be out on his as next month.:jump: