General Motors is considering adding an electric midsized pickup truck to its portfolio of GMC Hummer vehicles as consumer demand for EVs rises.
But the smaller, electric Hummer, according to someone with knowledge of the situation, is still only a design study in GM’s California studio, although it’s considered a priority and has a decent chance of entering production. The story was first reported by Bloomberg.
Bringing a midsize Hummer EV pickup to market makes sense given Hummer’s strong brand recognition. And its smaller size could be part of a strategy that sees GM return to the European market, according to the report. GM left Europe in 2017, selling its Vauxhall and Opel brands to PSA Group after 20 years of losses. The brands are now owned by Stellantis.
GM currently builds the full-size GMC Hummer EV SUT, with the GMC Hummer EV SUV entering production next year. It’s just one element of General Motors’ $35 billion electric car strategy, which involves bringing 30 vehicles to market by 2030.
Part of a growing portfolio
The current GMC Hummer EV pickup, which weighs about 9,000 pounds, was the first vehicle to use GM’s new generation of Ultium lithium-ion batteries. These cells were created to be utilized in one of four skateboard platforms GM built for its array of battery-electric vehicles.
The Hummer EV pickup generates 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 pound-feet of torque through all four wheels. It’s available with all-wheel steering, allowing it to crab-walk on trails, and comes with an adaptive suspension. GM estimates its range at 329 miles, and a 0-60 mph time of roughly three seconds. Payload is rated at 1,300 pounds, while towing capability is 7,500 pounds. Uniquely, it’s designed with removable roof panels. Prices start at $112,595.
Through the first three quarters of 2022, GM has built 781 Hummer EV Pickups.
In addition, the U.S. Army has requested GM Defense send it Hummer EVs for evaluation, ironic given the Hummer brand was a spinoff of AM General’s Humvee, which was created for military use.
By reviving GM the dormant nameplate as an EV brand, GM is hoping to reverse Hummer’s negative connotation, one formed over a decade of GM ownership after it bought from AM General in 1999. GM discontinued Hummer and its line of hulking trucks and SUVs in 2010 when the company emerged from bankruptcy. Hummer was brought back in 2021 as a premium electric off-road sub-brand of GMC, allowing GM to sell luxury off-road vehicles with Cadillac-level price tags.
GM’s growing EV line-up
After launching the GMC Hummer SUT in 2022, GM followed with the Cadillac Lyriq, an all-electric SUV that’s now in production. It will be followed by the GMC Hummer SUV, the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, Chevrolet Blazer EV and the Chevrolet Equinox EV. All are built using GM’s Ultium battery architecture. In addition, GM already offers the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV, which use another older battery technology.
Nevertheless, GMC was the logical choice for initiating GM’s electric vehicle portfolio, as the company offered battery electric trucks as well as gas-powered models when GMC was first established in 1912.
