GM to produce Hummer H3 in South Africa
April 6, 2005, 6:00 PM
DETROIT (AP) -- General Motors Corp. said Wednesday it will build a version of the Hummer H3 in South Africa starting next year, marking the first time a Hummer has been built outside the United States.
GM said it is investing $100 million to develop and produce the mid-size H3 at its Struandale facility in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. GM said it eventually could produce 10,000 of the vehicles in South Africa, solely for export to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
The H3 is expected to go on sale in South Africa in mid-2007, GM said. The Struandale facility currently produces Opel and Isuzu products.
A GM plant in Shreveport, La., will continue to produce a version of the H3 destined for the North American market and some markets in Europe and the Middle East.
GM has been losing ground in the U.S. market this year but has said it will meet or exceed its targets in other worldwide markets. GM shares rose 82 cents, or 2.8 percent, to close at $29.86 in Wednesday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
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