This Just In: Not All HUMMER Owners Gas-Guzzling Jerks

Following the annual GM shareholder’s meeting recently, rumors are circulating that GM may be putting HUMMER, it’s off-roading line of vehicles, on the chopping block. Apparently the CEO of GM, Rick Wagoner, has placed the HUMMER line under formal “review” to determine whether it undergoes a serious facelift or (more likely) gets sent to the scrap-heap.

Obviously, the cloud that’s been hanging over HUMMER since the fuel crisis began has been visible to everyone. It’s difficult to justify 46mm monotube gas-charged shocks, independent SLA torsion bars, and a curb weight of about 6,000 pounds - unless you’re running errands through the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

So it’s hard for the average HUMMER owner to generate much sympathy when he has to sell his kidney’s to afford a full tank. Amid the giant suburban pseudo-warriors, however, there does exist a small group of individuals who actually use the centralized tire inflation system (CTIS) for something other than impressing women (although let it be noted that the ability to deflate and re-inflate your tires while still in motion is a turn-on). The group is called HOPE, an acronym for “HUMMER Owners Prepared for Emergencies.” 

Today, with the wolves rapidly circling around anything bigger then a Prius, individuals who truly utilize the amazing feats of engineering which they drive are often overlooked. Although given little press time, regional chapters of HOPE were among the first to respond in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Despite widespread cycnism surrounding GM’s initial contribution to HOPE (many viewed it as a clever PR move), HOPE functions primarily off of the dedication of each individual member. Besides the obvious willingness to respond immediately to a crisis, HOPE members are also required  to posses current Red Cross First Aid and CPR training, a disaster-preparedness kit that would make Dr. Strangelove proud, and, of course, a HUMMER.

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Move Over Germany; Russia Now Home to Largest Car Market in Europe

There was a time when the automobile market in Russia was enjoyed by the affluent community; cars were a luxury and those lucky enough to afford them generally had the open roads to themselves.

Not anymore.

According to a study released by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Russia is now home to the largest car market in Europe overthrowing Germany for the title. The report revealed that over 1.645 million new cars were registered in Russia during the first half of 2008, compared with 1.63 million cars in Germany.

Analysts claim the surge beats all forecasts. Growth has actually accelerated since 2007, when car sales were up 35 percent. And, the market won’t be slowing down anytime soon, they said. PwC reports the Russian auto market is enjoying “an astonishing growth.” In fact, manufacturers are planning for an even hotter market in the next several years.

PwC’s report predicts new sales will keep rising, reaching six million units by 2014, more than double what they were last year.

Experts credit the statistics with cheap credit and oil-fueled economic growth. Russian roads are jammed with all kinds of vehicles; most of them are Western or Asian design and range from tiny compacts to oversized SUVs. And, there’s room for everyone on the road from Renault to Mitsubishis to Jeeps and even to high-end Mercedes and BMWs.

Sales of cars jumped 41 percent in the first half of 2008 compared to the same period of time the year before. Perhaps nothing symbolizes the Russian consumer boom of recent years more than the phenomenal growth for cars. PwC added that sales of foreign brands have increased even more quickly, by 47 percent, according to figures published last week by the Association of European Businesses (AEB) in Moscow.

PwC predicts that for 2008 as a whole, the total Russian market will reach between 3.6 million and 3.8 million cars. That compares with just 1.5 million five years ago. Over the same five-year period, the share of foreign models has risen from 38, to 59 percent of new car sales. Helped by the growing popularity of pricier foreign brands, the Russian car market is growing even more rapidly in dollar terms, up 64 percent, to a projected $33.8 billion this year. In comparison, car sales in Western Europe are growing at less than 5 percent annually.

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Danica Patrick Debuts in SI Swimsuit Edition: New Perspective on Product Placement

It is not often that we discuss racing around here, but this was something that was deemed too important to overlook. Danica Patrick has risen in the sport of Indy Racing based solely on her talent and business acumen. She is a sharp driver and pragmatic about her career choices.
As product and brand placement have become synonymous with racing it would only make sense for someone in racing to turn that standard around. Some may question her choices in these matters, but in the end they are her choices. The same complaints were lobbed at Anna Kournikova when she pursued her modeling career while chasing after that ever elusive Grand Slam. So the lingering question for Danica Patrick will be whether her modeling opportunities detract from her pursuit of her first major victory, or of the greatest victory in motor sports: The Indy 500? (more…)

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