2007 Hummer H3 on 2040-cars

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Humvees are now exported to China by Bob Lutz and Henrik Fisker's company

At Auto Shanghai, a company called Humvee Export showed off its Humvee C-Series. It's not a new design, of course, as the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) has been used by the American military for decades, and versions made their way into the hands of civilians through multiple means, including via General Motors as the Hummer H1. GM discontinued the H1 in 2006, and shuttered the Hummer brand in 2010. Now, Humvee Export is building the C-Series in the US, with help from none other than Bob Lutz and VLF Automotive, to sell in China, according to Car & Driver. VLF, if you recall, is the company founded by Gilbert Villarreal, Bob Lutz, and Henrik Fisker. So far, VLF has launched the Destino, using the Fisker Karma body with a supercharged LS9 V8 engine from GM, as well as the Force 1, which is essentially a Viper-based, V10-powered supercar. Humvee Export President John Costin tells C&D that his company has contracted VLF to build its new C-Series in St. Clair, Michigan. Among Humvee Export's founders is Paul Chedid, who was once the distributor for the Hummer H1 in France. AM General, which builds the HMMWV for US and other militaries, sells C-Series kits (customers need to supply their own powertrain). VLF buys kits and finishes the build, and Humvee Export works with importers around the world to sell finished versions of the C-Series, complete with powertrain, with China being the latest market. The US is out of luck, though, as it can't be certified as a replica of a 25-year-old vehicle, thus exempting it from EPA and crash test certification under the Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act. Related Video:

Nissan Z Proto, next-gen Hyundai Tucson and a hi-po mystery Bronco | Autoblog Podcast #645

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder and News Editor Joel Stocksdale. In the news this week, Ford has teased some sort of high-performance Bronco, Nissan unveiled the Z Proto, Hyundai revealed the next-gen Tucson and GMC teased the Hummer EV's "Crab Mode." Our editors break that all down for you, and share some insights and opinions before they turn to the cars in their own driveways. This week, they've been spending time with the 2020 Mercedes-AMG G 63, as well as the 2020 BMW Alpina B7. Autoblog Podcast #645 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Ford's beefed-up Bronco prototype stars in new teaser photo Nissan Z Proto previews the retro, rear-drive, turbo, manual future of the Z All the Nissan Z cars that got us to the Z Proto 2022 Hyundai Tucson debuts with striking styling inside and out GMC Hummer teases crab mode, reveal set for Oct. 20 Cars we're driving: 2020 Mercedes-AMG G 63 2020 BMW Alpina B7 Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video:

AM General's new CEO has strong military roots

AM General has a new president and chief executive officer. Current CEO Charlie Hall is retiring from the company. In his place, the defense and automotive manufacturer has named industry veteran Andy Hove. Though primarily a defense contractor, AM General has produced a number of civilian vehicles as well. The company is perhaps best known for the Hummer (or Humvee in military parlance) and continued producing both the original H1 and the subsequent H2 after selling the brand to General Motors. Even after GM shut down the brand, AM General continued producing Humvees for military use and as a civilian kit. The company is also behind Mobility Ventures, which produces purpose-built wheelchair-accessible vehicles, assembles the R-Class for Mercedes-Benz, and has been linked to potential commercial van and pickup truck assembly for GM as well. Based in South Bend, IN, AM General shares its roots with the Jeep brand. It was split off from American Motors Corporation after the latter was bought by Renault and then by Chrysler. Today it's owned by New York-based investment firms Renco Group and MacAndrews & Forbes. A former Army officer, Hove arrives at the company with considerable experience in the defense industry, particularly in vehicle manufacturing. He has previously served as president of HDT Global and before that of Oshkosh Defense. Prior to that he headed up the Bradley tank program for BAE Systems, where he increased sales from $250 million to $2 billion within five years. His departing predecessor Charlie Hall was named CEO in 2011, assuming day-to-day responsibility for the company's operations from the suitably named chairman James Armour. Related Video: AM General Announces Vehicle Manufacturing Industry Leader Andy Hove To Serve As Chief Executive Officer Hove Succeeds Retiring CEO Charlie Hall SOUTH BEND, Ind., Dec 8, 2015 – AM General, the global leader in light tactical vehicles, today announced that Andy Hove will serve as the company's new Chief Executive Officer and President, succeeding Charlie Hall who is retiring. Hove brings to AM General a track record of excellence at a diverse array of defense and commercial companies in the United States and around the world. Hove most recently served as the President and CEO of HDT Global where he rapidly proved the quality of his leadership in helping transform the company.