2008 Used 3.7l I5 20v Automatic 4wd Suv Onstar on 2040-cars

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Humvees are now exported to China by Bob Lutz and Henrik Fisker's company

At Auto Shanghai, a company called Humvee Export showed off its Humvee C-Series. It's not a new design, of course, as the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) has been used by the American military for decades, and versions made their way into the hands of civilians through multiple means, including via General Motors as the Hummer H1. GM discontinued the H1 in 2006, and shuttered the Hummer brand in 2010. Now, Humvee Export is building the C-Series in the US, with help from none other than Bob Lutz and VLF Automotive, to sell in China, according to Car & Driver. VLF, if you recall, is the company founded by Gilbert Villarreal, Bob Lutz, and Henrik Fisker. So far, VLF has launched the Destino, using the Fisker Karma body with a supercharged LS9 V8 engine from GM, as well as the Force 1, which is essentially a Viper-based, V10-powered supercar. Humvee Export President John Costin tells C&D that his company has contracted VLF to build its new C-Series in St. Clair, Michigan. Among Humvee Export's founders is Paul Chedid, who was once the distributor for the Hummer H1 in France. AM General, which builds the HMMWV for US and other militaries, sells C-Series kits (customers need to supply their own powertrain). VLF buys kits and finishes the build, and Humvee Export works with importers around the world to sell finished versions of the C-Series, complete with powertrain, with China being the latest market. The US is out of luck, though, as it can't be certified as a replica of a 25-year-old vehicle, thus exempting it from EPA and crash test certification under the Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act. Related Video:

GMC's electric Hummer could someday serve alongside the Humvee in the U.S. Army

Every civilian Hummer model traces its roots to AM General's Humvee, which made its combat debut when the United States invaded Panama in 1989. Fast forward to the 2020s, and the tables have turned. The born-again Hummer that will arrive with an electric powertrain and a GMC emblem could spawn a military-spec truck. "[The upcoming Hummer] is a full-size truck with 400 miles of range and 1,000 pound-feet of torque, it's a very highly capable vehicle. That could provide a great base platform for an electric vehicle to be used in the military context," said David Albritton, the president of General Motors Defense, in an interview with GM Authority. Although he didn't sketch out the Hummer's role in a battalion, its range, torque, and dimensions would theoretically make it well-suited to carrying soldiers, weapons, and/or gear like radio equipment. It wouldn't necessarily look like the production model (shown above in a preview image). General Motors Defense might use its basic platform and its powertrain technology to build a purpose-designed off-roader, like it did with the Colorado Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) it will soon begin manufacturing for the Army. The ISV shares 90% of its parts with the regular-production Chevrolet Colorado, but the two vehicles look nothing alike. Securing a contract with the American military is easier said than done, and Army officials haven't publicly expressed an interest in sending the upcoming Hummer into a war zone. We'll learn more about what a battle-ready electric truck could look like after the showroom-bound model makes its debut. In the meantime, Humvee production continues, and AM General introduced a comprehensively updated model named NXT 360 in 2018. Related Video:     Green GMC Hummer Truck Electric Military

Luxury carmakers make way more than just cars

Whether it's as simple as Ferrari offering model cars or as opulent as Bugatti with an $84,000-belt buckle, practically every automaker does more than just sell cars to keep their brands visible. The profits from these ventures might not be enough to keep the lights on, but in such a competitive industry, any extra cash is welcome. For the automakers that get licensing just right, there is a ton of profit to be made. According to a recent story examining the practice by The New York Times, Ferrari makes around $2.6 billion from merchandising each year, and General Motors tops that at $3.5 billion. Beyond just a profit center, merchandising can also protect an automaker's name. Take Hummer for example. The GM division shut down years ago, but it has continued to produce licensed cologne on sale around the world. "Because we still have the active fragrance, we're protecting the brand if we ever decide to bring it back," Gene Reamer, a GM licensing senior manager, told the Times. The whole piece is a fascinating look into this often ignored, but quite lucrative facet of the auto business. Read it for yourself, here. Related Video: News Source: The New York TimesImage Credit: Luca Bruno / AP Photo Design/Style Earnings/Financials Marketing/Advertising Read This Ferrari GM Hummer branding