[PARAGON]

[January 10, 2007]


HardShoulder

(The Irish Times Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) HUMMER SET FOR IRELAND : Hummer is to officially enter the Irish market this year. The US brand, which built its name supplying vehicles to the US military during the first Gulf war, plans to enter the Irish and British markets by July. Initially its H2 and H3 models will be available only in left-hand-drive, but a right-hand-drive version of the H3 is due on sale by the end of the year.

It's not a great time for Hummer to enter the market, considering the growing campaigns against giant SUVs in urban areas and the fact that most Hummers are sold to urban and suburban dwellers who use the vehicle strictly as a fashion statement rather than a working vehicle.

European distribution is being handled by Dutch firm Kroymans, which expects to appoint an Irish distributor in the coming months. Kroymans already has several ties in Ireland to the OHM Group, which handles other niche US brands such as Cadillac and Dodge.