“Pour moi la vie va commencer” (My life begins) sang French rock star Johnny Hallyday. The movie clip was situated in the Camargue where wild horses ran around in freedom. That was 1963. The rock star became a rock icon - at least in France.

And remember “Terminator” Arnold Schwarzenegger, the actor who became an icon too and then got himself elected governor of the state of California?

What have these men in common? A certain machismo, no doubt. They definitely achieved something in life. But above all they are free spirits. Independent men who go about their life as they see fit. Men who feel free to speak up, to express an opinion. Could that be the reason why they were among HUMMER's first clients both sides of the Atlantic?

The success of HUMMER in the USA is not only caused by off road appearances. The urban jungle is equally tough - for any car, just think of lower Manhattan. And in Europe? Just the same, on and off road.

Ever since the early HUMMER H2's were spotted, they created instant recognition, instant discussion, instant awareness. And instant success in the market: in the Benelux, in Germany, in France.

And now there is a new and official import company for the whole of Europe, which will be to the benefit of HUMMER clients and prospects all over Europe.

The new Kroymans HUMMER Europe organisation aims to build a strong network covering all of Europe, capitalising on its experience in marketing premium brands and creating the necessary service organisation behind it. Kroymans has an impressive track record in launching American (Cadillac and Corvette) as well as European (a.o. Jaguar, Saab and Ferrari) premium brands. And the year 2006 produced evidence of this for the HUMMER business: awareness and acceptance resulted in very satisfactory sales for both H2 and H3. HUMMER's European chief operating officer Pieter Gabriëls is confident that the success in Germany, the Benelux and France will be extended all over Europe. “We are quite optimistic about our chances to reach independent European individuals and win them over for the HUMMER brand. After all Arnold Schwarzenegger's roots are from Europe too.”

H3 will be assembled in South Africa for global markets starting early October 2006. H3 will also be built in right-hand-drive versions to reach new markets. GM to invest over $100 million.

DETROIT, Michigan - General Motors announced the next step in the global expansion of HUMMER. Starting early October 2006 a global version of the new HUMMER H3 will be assembled at the General Motors plant in Struandale, South Africa. The additional volume to be assembled in South Africa is solely dedicated for export to markets in Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.

When South African assembly begins in late-2006, it will involve components originally produced in GM's Shreveport, Louisiana plant. The new assembly operation in South Africa will focus on the implementation of revised content - such as right-hand drive - exclusively for H3s sold outside North America.

HUMMER H3 vehicles built in South Africa will be exported to left-hand drive markets in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Right-hand drive versions will be exported to markets such as the United Kingdom, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and other Asian markets. Another specific product feature for international markets, coming at a later date, is a diesel engine.

Assembly of the H3 is set to begin during the last quarter of 2006 in the Struandale production facility in Port Elizabeth. Annual production volume of the midsize sport utility vehicle homologated for export markets could eventually exceed 10,000 units per year, according to Maureen Kempston Darkes, General Motors group vice president and president of GM Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

“The H3 exported from South Africa has the size and features to expand the appeal of the HUMMER brand to an international audience, including right hand drive and full global homologation,” Darkes said. The HUMMER H1 and H2 models have been sold primarily in the United States and Canada, although GM began exporting HUMMER H2 to countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East last year.

Robert Socia, president and managing director of General Motors South Africa, called the announcement of the export program a significant achievement for the company. “This $100 million investment into product development and production signifies GM's confidence in our organisation and our ability to compete on a global basis by delivering high-quality products that meet global customer expectations,” he said. The GM plants in Port Elizabeth currently assemble Opel and Isuzu products.

Plans are in place for the H3 to be retailed in the South African market beginning mid-year 2007. “To this end, we are looking to set up a distribution network that can support the unique nature of the vehicle,” said Socia.

General Motors South Africa will be the only manufacturing site outside of the United States to assemble the HUMMER H3. Production of the H3 will begin this spring at GM's Shreveport, Louisiana plant in the United States, with those vehicles primarily destined for markets in the North America, Europe and the Middle East.

H3 is an authentic HUMMER, offering the brand's iconic design and famed off-road capability in a midsize and more accessible package. H3 aims to become the leader in off-road performance among midsize SUVs, just as the H2 achieved that stature among full-size SUVs. In addition, H3 delivers surprisingly comfortable on-road manners and a clean, well­crafted interior. The H3 South Africa export vehicle will initially be available with the Vortec inline 5-cylinder engine, choice of manual or automatic transmissions and a premium, full-time four-wheel-drive system.

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 Region 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 recognised 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.

“The HUMMER H3 continues to have a significant impact on the awareness and sales performance of the brand globally,” said Martin Walsh, General Manager of HUMMER. “With the assembly of HUMMER H3 in South Africa, we take the next important step to grow the HUMMER brand around the world.”

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 18 months ago. 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.

The wait is over – Australian customers can now order the new HUMMER H3 with the model line-up, pricing, retail network and management team confirmed.

The three new models, H3, H3 Adventure and H3 Luxury, are on sale from today with the first customer deliveries expected in July.

Available in either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic depending on the model, H3 will retail from $51,990, H3 Adventure from $57,990 and H3 Luxury from $59,990.

GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Denny Mooney, made the announcement today on HUMMER’s first Australian motor show stand at the Brisbane International Motor Show.

“HUMMER is a truly iconic automotive brand. Australian customers can’t wait to climb behind the wheel and our competitive pricing will really shake up the market,” Mr Mooney said.

“The mid-size H3 is an ideal vehicle to launch the brand into Australia. Comparable in size to other mid-size SUVs, H3 is still true to the brand’s extreme heritage, but is more economical and easier to drive in the city than the original H1 and H2.

“Affectionately known as the ‘baby HUMMER’, the H3 is able to achieve the perfect balance between on-road comfort and
off-road capability.”

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