Though not in absolutely huge quantities, consumers have been eating up Hummers since the H2’s introduction for the 2003 model year. So why does the average middle class Joe Blow or soccer mom feel the desire to buy a $53k+ 6400 lb Urban Assault Vehicle 4×4? I know it’s not for the 12 MPG that you’ll average in one. I have to admit, I do own a classic ’69 Firebird with a 428 cubic inch motor that gets about 7 MPG. But you know what? I drive the heck out of that thing every time putting the pedal to the metal, and have loads of fun doing it!
If you buy an H2 and actually have fun 4x4ing in it, then I say more power to you! But I think it’s fair to say that the far-majority of these H2’s never even see off-road. So what is the perceived need that consumers are satisfying with the purchase of an H2? It’s the need for excess, the need to stand out, the need to be deemed “cool” by others… all so they can feel better about themselves. Is this the shallow way of thinking for most American consumers? If I owned an H2, it wouldn’t be about image. I would have fun with it and beat the crud out of that thing on off-road trails… wouldn’t you?
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