Hummer concept guns for Jeep Wrangler David Phillips / The Detroit News
Another Hummer is on the way, and this one is gunning for the Jeep Wrangler.
General Motors Corp. today released sketches of several new Hummer concepts which will serve as the inspiration for the Hummer HX concept vehicle to be shown at the North American International Auto Show in January.
The sketches are the work of three new GM designers - David Rojas, Min Young Kang and Robert Jablonski. All three designers are recent graduates of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and their first GM assignment was to provide a vision for the future of off-road vehicles.
GM, which acquired the Hummer name from AM General Corp. in 1999, has long planned to offer a smaller, more fuel-efficient and affordable Hummer to draw younger buyers. Despite the expansion of the Hummer franchise to three basic models in recent years, overall demand has softened because of the spike in gas prices. Hummer's U.S. sales are off 22 percent this year.
In a related announcement, GM will start selling Hummer in Japan next spring to further expand the brand outside the United States with a smaller, more varied and more fuel efficient lineup.
The iconic Wrangler -- a throw-back to the original Willys Army vehicle - has been a perennial best-seller for Jeep, and with its open-top has few competitors in the U.S. market. With the introduction of a four-door Wrangler model, U.S. sales have soared 54 percent this year to more than 110,000.
By tapping its newest designers, GM hopes to broaden Hummer's appeal beyond its original, affluent customer base.
"Hummer appeals to young people globally and served as a perfect first assignment for our newest talent," said Ed Welburn, vice president of global design and product planning for GM.
The three designers were given limited direction by Carl Zipfel, an ex-professional motocross racer and director of the Hummer design studio, GM said.
After three months of sketching and sculpting theme work for the new Hummer concept, each designer had the opportunity to present scale clay models to Bob Lutz, GM's vice chairman in charge of global product development, and Welburn, who chose which design would ultimately become the HX concept.
Lutz and Welburn are fond of making GM designers engage in "sketch-offs" to come up with more compelling designs across the automaker's brand lineup.
In its final concept form, GM said the Hummer HX, capable of running on E-85 ethanol, will provide open-air driving via a pair of removable roof panels above the driver and front passenger, as well as a removable rear roof assembly, allowing drivers to quickly convert from a closed vehicle to an open air SUT. It also features a slant back assembly removable doors and fender flairs.
Link to story with pictures:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071210/UPDATE/712100446
I will wait and see. 
