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Hummers And The Environment
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Published: September 27, 2006
In the recent trend of American SUVs, where size and capability outweigh features like fuel efficiency, the Hummer is one of the largest. This vehicle was not originally intended for everyday use on public roads though. Originally created for the U.S. Army, the M998 Series High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, pronounced Humvee) was designed in 1979 by AM General.
In 1985, the first of 55,000 HMMWVs were constructed as a standard military vehicle. Impressed by the Humvee, the Army later extended the contract to 70,000 models. The vehicle was meant for the military to more easily work its way through dangerous terrain, and has been used in military actions in Panama, Operation Desert Storm, Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq.
It wasn't until 1992 that AM General began to produce a new version of Humvee called the Hummer. Known as the world's most serious 4x4, the Hummer was intended for use by the public and no longer exclusive to the military. It was in 1999 that AM General combined forces with General Motors to produce a new series of Hummers. The Hummer H1 was then created, followed by the Hummer H2 in 2002 and H3 in 2006.
While mobility, agility and the overcoming of terrain are the main focuses of the Hummer, cost to the consumer and damage to the environment are low on the list of the manufacturer's worries. Consider that the price ranges from $29,500 for the basic H3 to $140,796 for the H1 ALPHA. The H3 was not created in order to appease these problems, however. GM made the smaller, less expensive H3 in order to compete with other mid-sized SUVs and compensate for the drop in sales of the H1 and H2.
Miles per gallon is an important feature for most vehicles in order to save the consumer money on gasoline as well as to consider the effects on the environment. The MPG of the Hummer, however, lacks these concerns. While the H1 and H2 can just get into the 10-13 MPG range, the 2006 H3 gets 16-20, estimating a fuel cost of $2,400 annually and rating 2 out of 10 on the EPA Air Pollution score. The Hummer H3 is friendlier to the environment than the H1 and H2, but it is not a satisfactory solution. With a low rate of 16-20 MPG the H3 still contributes far more emissions than the average vehicle and continues to degrade the environment.
The flashy Hummer, made to look cool by many celebrities, is very useful for off-road travel, but rarely leaves the pavement. Stretch Hummer limousines have also been created which are used for those who want to travel in style to a special event or occasion. While most people are attracted to the Hummer for its cool factor and capabilities, it is important to consider whether or not the features of a military vehicle are more important than cost efficiency and the environment.
Hummer. 2006. General Motors Corporation. 13 September 2006. www.hummer.com
AM General. 2006. AM General LLC. 13 September 2006. www.amgeneral.com/corporate.php
Wilborn, Paul. Hummer Mania. CBS News. 3 February 2003. CBS Broadcasting Inc. 13 September 2006. www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/08/07/national/main56 7097.shtml
Fuel Economy. 13 September 2006. fueleconomy.gov. 13 September 2006. www.fueleconomy.gov
It wasn't until 1992 that AM General began to produce a new version of Humvee called the Hummer. Known as the world's most serious 4x4, the Hummer was intended for use by the public and no longer exclusive to the military. It was in 1999 that AM General combined forces with General Motors to produce a new series of Hummers. The Hummer H1 was then created, followed by the Hummer H2 in 2002 and H3 in 2006.
While mobility, agility and the overcoming of terrain are the main focuses of the Hummer, cost to the consumer and damage to the environment are low on the list of the manufacturer's worries. Consider that the price ranges from $29,500 for the basic H3 to $140,796 for the H1 ALPHA. The H3 was not created in order to appease these problems, however. GM made the smaller, less expensive H3 in order to compete with other mid-sized SUVs and compensate for the drop in sales of the H1 and H2.
Miles per gallon is an important feature for most vehicles in order to save the consumer money on gasoline as well as to consider the effects on the environment. The MPG of the Hummer, however, lacks these concerns. While the H1 and H2 can just get into the 10-13 MPG range, the 2006 H3 gets 16-20, estimating a fuel cost of $2,400 annually and rating 2 out of 10 on the EPA Air Pollution score. The Hummer H3 is friendlier to the environment than the H1 and H2, but it is not a satisfactory solution. With a low rate of 16-20 MPG the H3 still contributes far more emissions than the average vehicle and continues to degrade the environment.
The flashy Hummer, made to look cool by many celebrities, is very useful for off-road travel, but rarely leaves the pavement. Stretch Hummer limousines have also been created which are used for those who want to travel in style to a special event or occasion. While most people are attracted to the Hummer for its cool factor and capabilities, it is important to consider whether or not the features of a military vehicle are more important than cost efficiency and the environment.
Hummer. 2006. General Motors Corporation. 13 September 2006. www.hummer.com
AM General. 2006. AM General LLC. 13 September 2006. www.amgeneral.com/corporate.php
Wilborn, Paul. Hummer Mania. CBS News. 3 February 2003. CBS Broadcasting Inc. 13 September 2006. www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/08/07/national/main56 7097.shtml
Fuel Economy. 13 September 2006. fueleconomy.gov. 13 September 2006. www.fueleconomy.gov
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