Report Says GM Shopping For-Sale Assets in China; GM Denies It

Dongfeng Motor Group Co., China's third-largest automaker, said it had received proposals from investment banks to buy assets from General Motors as the carmaker tries to generate desperately needed cash, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday.

A spokesman for Dongfeng, which partners in China with Nissan, Honda and PSA Peugeot Citroen, said it had received e-mails and investment materials asking if the company would be interested in buying some of GM's assets. The spokesman, who wouldn't reveal the investment banks it was talking with or the assets offered for purchase, told Bloomberg it hasn't reviewed the materials and has not responded to GM.

A GM spokesman based in Shanghai denied the report, saying there were no grounds to the rumors.

Still, it comes as no surprise that GM would go to foreign companies, especially those in emerging markets like China, to offer its wares. GM has assets to sell and the Chinese have access to cash. And Ford was successful in selling off its distressed assets of Land Rover and Jaguar to India's Tata Motors.

GM has put a number of assets up for sale including Hummer and AC Delco. So far, GM has found no takers. A deal to sell its medium-duty commercial truck business to Navistar fell apart as the economy worsened. Further, in its viability plan submitted to Congress on Tuesday, GM said it was considering "options" for Saab and Saturn as well. Saab could be sold; Saturn likely would be dismantled or its vehicles folded into other GM divisions.

Chinese companies are likely targets as buyers for GM's assets since they have access to capital and ambitious global expansion plans with sites set on North America in particular. A Shanghai analyst told Bloomberg capital for overseas investment is not a problem for Chinese companies, though other possible risks include issues regarding local legal regulations and labor unions.

More than likely, GM also has talked to its own Chinese partner, SAIC Corp., China's largest automaker. SAIC already has expanded into Europe with the purchase of design rights to MG Rover and South Korea with its stake in Ssangyong Motor Co.

And interestingly, the Chinese government in November opened a consulate office in the Detroit suburbs of Troy, Michigan, the home to SAIC's offices.

Hummer to support Oz Strongman Nationals

Australia’s strongest men will go head-to-head in the name of the iconic Hummer brand for the national Oz Strongman title this weekend.

For the first time ever, Hummer will support the Oz Strongman Nationals – a contest which pits man against machine in the fight for the Australian title.

More than 38 athletes from around Australia will compete in six disciplines at the Chandler Velodrome in Brisbane this Sunday. Competitors from three classes – Light, Middle and Heavy Weight – will battle it out in world-famous weight challenges designed to test strength, speed, power and endurance.

Oz Strongman Managing Director Chris Andrews said Hummer’s dynamic reputation makes it the perfect partner for the National Championship.

“It makes perfect sense to combine the strengths of the Hummer brand and the Oz Strongman Championship,” he said.“Like the HUMMER H3, our competitors thrive in a challenging environment, have enormous endurance and look pretty powerful too.”

Special guests will feature throughout the day-long event, including local radio identity Shauny Wilson, International IPF Champion Scott Fletcher and international strongman Warrick Brant (pictured).

Crush your way through Hummer Tank

Car enthusiasts are in abundance all over the world and you can find a variety of modified treads too. However, this modified Hummer H2 seems more like a rugged beast ready to make its way through any terrain. This mechanical beast was spotted outside a Las Vegas convention. Not much was done, but just aftermarket track belts were added in place of the standard wheels, which, obviously will lead to a decrease in MPG and top speed. Further, I think it would better be used as snowmobile instead of running it on concrete roads. Have a look at this incredible thing in the pictures given and let your imagination spoil your own hummer just for sake of adventure and fun.



Via: Jalopnik

2009 Hummer H2 Black Chrome Limited Edition

Hummer is adding a new version to its H2 SUV and SUT line-up called Black Chrome at 2009. The limited edition H2 SUV and SUT models are distinguished on the outside by the black chrome detailing that includes the 22-inch chrome-clad wheels, grille, hood latches and handles, fuel filler door, door handles, mirror caps, badges, side air vents, spare tire cover emblem, rocker moldings and hood louver. Hummer offers three exterior colours for the Black Chrome editions; the new-for-2009, Silver Ice Metallic, Sedona Metallic and Carbon Black Metallic. The first two colours are combined with the Ebony/Shale interior, while the Sedona Metallic (pictured above) which is exclusive to the Black Chrome edition, is offered only with the Sedona interior. According to GM, production of the H2 SUV and SUT Black Chrome models will be limited to 1,300 units worldwide.





Via Carscoop

Het wordt tijd dat Bentley eens door komt met een nieuwe SUV (Codename BY616), het vervolg op de magistrale Bentley Dominator. Iemand uit Dubai kan echter niet meer wachten en heeft zelf wat zitten knutselen. Het resultaat is vergelijkbaar met de Phantom Hummer die we al eens eerder zagen…

De eigenaar is wel consequent geweest, binnenin heeft hij/zij namelijk veel moeite gedaan om eht enigszins op een Bentley te laten lijken (bron: sina.com.cn, via le blog auto).

Hummer H3T Concept unveiled!

The new H3T still seems pretty fine apart from all the fuel it ends up drinking. The pickup box incorporates side-access doors, along with drop-down assist steps that also double as weather-tight storage compartments. The H3T’s unique tailgate forms an unbroken load surface when down, contributing to the H3T’s versatility. Its wheels-at-the-corners stance, along with 34-inch-tall tires and 11.5 inches of ground clearance, gives the H3T a 51-degree approach angle and a 50-degree departure angle - critical measures on Hummer’s internal “off-road performance metric” of capabilities.

It seems that we have another very attractive vehicle in the form of H3T and only time will tell if it will be given a bit more affection than the ones that came before it by all those who care for the planet. For the Auto lover though, the H3T is a pretty good buy if you can actually feed it!

Via: Rockcrawler