Arkansas, huh?
Yeah, it's good to chew the fat on an interesting subject. Just to keep true to the thread:
GM expected the H2 to do fairly well...what they got was NOT expected: Demand for H2's were through the roof and GM never anticipated the roar of interest the H2 received: IT WAS A HUGE HIT.
Maybe you guys don't remember...but Hummer-mania swept over the nation, there was even a bump in interest for that antiquated dumpster-lines H1
. The H2 was all the rage and for MANY months I could sell my H2 for thousands over what I paid for it.
That wave is gone, long gone. Environmental concerns, high gas prices and other factors have bumped the Hummer from the trendy spotlight. Let's not forget this miserable war we're in...the affiliation with military isn't helping right now either.
Now comes the H3: cheaper, better mpg and hopefully appealing to a lower-income bracket.
Will they sell: of course!
Will it intiially do well: yes
Will it be another raging hit like the H2?
That's what this thread was about. I'm sure it'll do well and they'll move 'em hot & heavy for a couple months...but it'll be a mere shadow of the phenominon that the H2 was. That's my hunch.
The H2 made an exotic name (Hummer) affordable, practical and available. The "towel" has already been squeezed and most the buyers have been wrought out. The H3 will get something...but nothing by comparison.
I fully intend on waving at H3's and welcoming them to our offroading events. I imagine standing next to them as brothers while the H1 old timers just stand and stare in (even more) disgust.
One last shot: I could buy an H1 at the drop of a hat. Problem is, I've seen in our club how many problems they have. Even Buckeye's brand spankin' new rig was a bucket of problems. Half-shafts, idler arms, u-joints, pitman arms, radiators..and the list goes on. Yeah...the CTIS is cool and the clearance comes in handy...but the discomfort, loud noise, rough ride, poor engineering, appalling lack of quality: I'd no sooner throw myself off a cliff then buy an H1. Ya know why I'm bitter about it: cause I'd really like it to be a cool vehicle that is good to own!
Now who's the real Cranky Steve????