[devilsfan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by PhilD:
The Rescue is clearly marketed towards the same people who bought H2's and rightly so. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Very true, but keep in mind that there are 2 distinct types of H2 buyers - those who bought it for the looks or for status, and those who bought it for off-road capability. Judging from GM's numbers that roughly 5% of H2 owners take the truck off-road, I don't think that there's that big of a market for another true heavy-duty large SUV that excels off-road (not merely capable, but is truly built for off-roading like the H2). I think those who are into serious off-roading and can afford the Rescue will definitely be enticed, but I also think a number of serious off-roaders will still gawk at the price tag when they already have decent modified vehicles that can keep up with any off-the-lot truck. Jeep may want a slice of the pie of the current Hummer market, but I can't see that there's that much up for grabs in the first place. They will certainly win a lot of Jeep owners back who were looking for something more than the Liberty and felt that Jeep strayed from its roots, however.

It would be interesting to run an informal poll on this site on how many would consider trading in their H2 for a Rescue. I think you'd find that quite a few off-roaders would still keep their H2s despite the fact there's a better off-road machine out there. While the H2 may not be as capable as the Rescue in that respect, the Rescue is lacking a lot of what the H2 has - such as looks and refinement. I can't imagine your typical soccer mom or business owner who does off-road on the weekends driving the Rescue on daily errands or to entertain clients. It simply isn't the complete package that the H2 is.

Stacy