Featured on GMSA“s extreme off-
road-track (from left to right) are GM“s vice president of
Global Design Edward Welburn with GMSA“s President and Managing
Director Robert Socia, at the HUMMER launch event which marked
the first HUMMER to role off the company“s production lines.
Port Elizabeth, South Africa -
General Motors today celebrated the start of production of the
HUMMER H3 at its Struandale Assembly Facility in Port Elizabeth,
South Africa. The occasion represents an important step in the
global expansion of HUMMER by providing increased capacity and a
global version of the H3 for markets outside North America.
Maureen Kempston Darkes, president
of GM Latin America, Africa and the Middle East said, "The GM
team in South Africa has demonstrated to the world that they
have the people, the leadership, the technology and the skills
to execute the type of automobile engineering and assembly that
is required in the new global economy."
Edward Welburn, GM's vice
president of Global Design said, "HUMMER's iconic design and
unparalleled off-road performance are already recognized around
the world. A global version and international assembly of the H3
are the next logical step for HUMMER to expand globally."
.
Until recently, HUMMER had
primarily focused its attention on establishing a strong
presence in North America. GM acquired the brand in late
1999 and since then HUMMER has grown from a brand
selling roughly 1,000 vehicles per year in 2000 to more
than 60,000 in 2005. In fact, HUMMER sales nearly
doubled globally in 2005, paced by the launch of the
midsize H3. While much of this growth was in the United
States, HUMMER also saw significant expansion in more
countries around the globe.
HUMMER H3 vehicles built in South
Africa will be exported to markets in Europe, the Middle East
and Asia. Production of a right-hand drive version will begin in
the second quarter of 2007 for export into right-hand markets in
Europe and Asia as well as for local sale in South Africa.
GM announced the $100 million investment
in its South African operations last year. Robert Socia, president and
managing director of GM South Africa described the project as, "one of
the most important milestones in the history of GM in South Africa." He
said, "It's significant that GM chose to place the H3 contract with
South Africa as it says a lot about the confidence GM has in our ability
to deliver."
The H3 is an authentic HUMMER, offering
the brand's iconic design and famed off-road capability in a midsize and
more accessible package. The South African-built H3 will be available
with a new 242 horsepower (180 KW) Vortec inline 5-cylinder engine,
choice of manual or automatic transmissions, and a premium, full-time
four-wheel-drive system. A right-hand drive version will be available in
2007.
