The Endangered (soon to be extinct) Hummer

Remember Hummer? Well, with the current situation, Hummer will forever be just a memory. Hummer, “the off-road vehicle that once symbolized America’s love for hulking SUV’s” according to The New York Times, has faced declining sales ever since the spike in gasoline prices. Having filed for bankruptcy on Hummer, GM has been trying to sell the brand to investors. Last year, GM has signed a deal with the Chinese company Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co. for the money-losing brand. However, resistance from Chinese regulators has ultimately put a stop to GM’s plan. After the deal with Tengzhong fell through, GM has decided to close the Hummer brand.

Sadly, this seems to be the end of the road for Hummer. Rest in peace, or, as time passes, probably in pieces. Out of this whole depressing situation, Tengzhong seems to have grabbed a small victory, at least according to me. The relatively unknown company in China has certainly gained same prominence through the media in China. So as GM’s business starts to wind down, Tengzhong’s may start to look up. Also, Tengzhong has avoided a burden that would have tagged along with the Hummer deal. Along with purchasing the Hummer brand, Tengzhong will have to support workers in Hummer’s automobile union. With hundreds of retirees and workers in the United States to support, Tengzhong would have brought itself a load too heavy to maintain. However, the collapsed deal is the perfect way out for the heavy machines company. So perfect that it makes one wonder if this is planned. But that is just speculation. As with everything, Hummer must come to an end sometimes and the end always seems to bring sadness to someone.