Just Humming along

A down-sized version of the Hummer off-roader, the American military machine that, to environmentalists, came to represent the worst excesses of the motoring industry, will be available as a factory-built, right-hand-drive model in New Zealand within the next couple of years.

General Motors will build a global version of the Hummer H3 in South Africa starting next year, marking the first time a Hummer has been built outside the United States.

The carmaker said annual production would include right-hand-drive models for New Zealand and Australia. But Holden New Zealand spokesperson Brodie McClellan said although the Hummer H3 would be available, "we won't be bringing it in under the Holden brand at this stage".

Importers of used vehicles are already looking at importing near-new H3s from South Africa once right-hand-drive production starts. Said McClellan: "We can't do anything about that."

GM said it was investing NZ$140 million to develop and produce the H3 at its Struandale facility in Port Elizabeth and may eventually produce 10,000 of the vehicles in South Africa for export to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The H3 is expected to go on sale in South Africa in mid-2007. At present the Struandale plant produces Opel and Isuzu products.

A GM plant in Shreveport, Louisiana, will continue to produce a version of the H3 for the North American market and some markets in Europe and the Middle East.

GM has been losing ground in the US market this year but has said it will meet or exceed its targets in other world markets.

"Hummer's iconic design and unparalleled off-road performance are recognised around the world," said Susan Docherty, Hummer general manager.

"The assembly of Hummer H3 in South Africa is another important step for Hummer in becoming a truly global premium brand."

H3 is an authentic Hummer, says GM, offering the brand's iconic design and famed off-road capability in a more accessible package.

It is smaller than the more menacing military-style H1 and H2 models - some of which are selling in New Zealand second-hand for up to $180,000 - but retains the familiar design cues such as the the vertical windscreen and seven-slot grille.

It shares its fundamentals with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pick-up trucks but has been reinforced to provide extreme off-road ability.

It will initially be available with a 3.5-litre five-cylinder in-line Vortec engine that produces 165kW (220bhp) at 5600rpm and 320Nm of torque at 2800rpm in the Colorado and Canyon pick-ups.

The Vortec will drive all four wheels through manual or automatic four-speed transmissions. GM says the 3.5-litre unit can do 14 litres/100km. The 6-litre and 8-litre V8 petrol and diesel units in the H1 and H2 are notoriously thirsty, gulping more than 25 litres /100km.

The South Africa plant will export left-hand-drive vehicles to markets in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Right-hand-drive versions will be built for South Africa, Britain, New Zealand, Australia and some Asian markets.

A diesel variant would be built for international markets at a later date.

The Hummer H1 and H2 have been sold primarily in the United States and Canada, although GM began exporting Hummer H2 to countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East last year.

The H3 is expected to be the biggest-selling Hummer.

Docherty said that once all three of Hummer's plants are up to speed, the marque's sales could climb to 80,000 annually "in a two to three-year timeframe."

The carmaker predicts continued strong demand in the Middle East, though Germany is expected to make up the largest market for the H3.

Netherlands company Kroyman's Corp will be in charge of distribution in Europe, where it already handles other GM imports, such as the Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CTS.

GM is considering an even smaller H4 Hummer to move the brand into more mainstream markets. But this project has yet to get the go-ahead.

Can I afford it?

* Hummer H3 available in New Zealand within next few years.

* H1 and H2 models selling in New Zealand second hand for up to $180,000.

* H3 model will be available with a 3.5-litre five-cylinder that will produce around 165kW.

* Four-wheel-drive in either manual or automatic.