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The History of Hummer and the iconic passion that has infected so many. They could not have picked a better slogan than  "Like Nothing Else" Here is a little history about the vehicle that developed a cult like following....
The early years.

The origins of AM General can be traced to 1903 when the Standard Wheel Company of Terre Haute, Ind. expanded its bicycle operation to include the Overland Automotive Division to manufacture motor vehicles, when the Overland "Runabout" was introduced.

In 1908, John North Willys purchased the Overland Automotive Company then located in Indianapolis, Ind. In 1912, the Willys-Overland Company was formed and, in addition to the Runabout, began producing the Willys-Knight series automobile and the popular "Whippet." In 1936, the company became Willys-Overland Motors, Inc.
Whippet

In 1912 the Willys-Overland Company was formed and later began producing the popular "Whippet."
Jeep excels in wartime service.

In the 1940s, Willys-Overland Motors, Inc. designed and manufactured America's first four-wheel drive one-fourth-ton tactical utility truck - the famous "Jeep." After the war, Willys-Overland began to explore peacetime uses for the popular 4x4 Jeep vehicle.

In 1953, the facilities, plants and other physical assets of Willys-Overland were purchased by the Henry J. Kaiser interests and named Willys Motors, Inc.

In 1960, the company began its first civilian government program by successfully winning a bid to develop and produce a half-ton delivery van for the U.S. Post Office. More than 14,000 of these half-ton vehicles were eventually produced.

In 1963, Willys Motors was renamed the Kaiser Jeep Corporation.
Kaiser Jeep purchases Studebaker facilities.

Early 1964 marked a significant milestone in the company's history when the Kaiser Jeep Corporation purchased the Studebaker Corporation manufacturing facilities on Chippewa Avenue in South Bend, Ind. Over the next 25 years, the Chippewa facility was to produce nearly 112,000 5-ton and 150,000 2 1/2-ton trucks for the armed forces of the free world.

In 1967, Kaiser Jeep Corporation formed a special division devoted exclusively to the research, development and production of government vehicles. The Defense and Government Products Division was a direct organizational forerunner of AM General.

In 1967, the company was awarded a contract by the U.S. Post Office for the production of the 1/4-ton DJ-5 Dispatcher. The U.S. Postal Service, police departments, utility companies and small package delivery firms used this rugged and durable delivery vehicle. Over 150,000 Dispatchers were produced.

In 1970, American Motors Corporation purchased the Kaiser Jeep Corporation from Kaiser Industries.
1/4-ton DJ-5 Dispatcher Postal Truck

In 1967, the company was awarded a contract by the U.S. Post Office for the production of the 1/4-ton DJ-5 Dispatcher.
AM General incorporates.

On April 1, 1971, AM General Corporation was incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Motors Corporation and separate from the Jeep Corporation. This move was initiated to give independent status to AM General to fulfill the special transportation requirements of the U.S. Government and pursue further diversification.

Responding to the need for increased mobility in the military, AM General developed and patented the Central Tire Inflation System (CTI) to be used on the M809 and M939 5-ton trucks. The CTI featured driver-activated dashboard controls that altered tire pressure to suit terrain conditions while the vehicle was in motion. The CTI improved vehicle-towing capability and contributed to longer vehicle life and lower life-cycle costs.
The Humvee is born.

In 1979, AM General began preliminary design work on the M998 Series High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, pronounced Humvee®); a 1.25-ton truck intended to replace the M151 and other light tactical vehicles. The U.S. Army awarded AM General a prototype contract in 1981 and the development and operational testing was conducted over a five-month period in 1982. In March 1983, AM General won an initial $1.2 billion contract to produce 55,000 Humvees to be delivered in five basic models and 15 different configurations over a five-year period. The Army subsequently increased their order with over 15,000 additional vehicles, raising the total contract order to 70,000 Humvees valued at $1.6 billion.

The Humvee offers exceptional speed, mobility and agility and is built upon a multi-purpose platform which will accommodate a broad range of configurations. Humvees feature full-time four-wheel drive, independent suspension, steep approach and departure angles, 60 percent gradeability and 16 inches of ground clearance. Humvees are currently in use by the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy at locations throughout the United States and overseas.
Humvee Prototype

In 1979, AM General began preliminary design work on the M998 Series High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, pronounced Humvee®).

In 1983, the LTV Corporation bought AM General from American Motors Corporation and established it as a wholly owned subsidiary of the LTV Aerospace and Defense Company.

In 1984, the AM General headquarters moved from the American Motors AMTEK Building to Livonia, Mich. and two years later to South Bend, Ind. where the primary manufacturing operations were located.
AM General relocates to downtown South Bend.

In 1989, AM General completed its remaining medium truck business and closed the Chippewa Avenue facilities in South Bend which had been acquired from Studebaker in 1964. In early 1990, the AM General headquarters relocated from Chippewa Avenue to its current offices in downtown South Bend.

In August 1989, the U.S. Army awarded AM General a new multi-year contract for continued production of more then 33,000 Humvees. First deliveries under this new contract began in January 1990. Total value of this second multi-year contract was approximately $1 billion. Options raised the number of vehicles produced to nearly 50,000.

The U.S. Army awarded AM General an additional contract in 1994. The latest U.S. Army contract, awarded in 2000 through 2009, has resulted in the production of more than 65,000 additional Humvees through 2007. More than 200,000 vehicles have been built and delivered to the U.S. Armed Forces and more than 50 friendly overseas nations.

The workhorse Humvee was very prominent in the U.S. military action in Panama in 1989-90, and even more so in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, where some 20,000 Humvees won high praise from U.S. troops. More recently, Humvees have played important roles in Somalia, the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq. Wherever American soldiers go, their Humvees go with them.

In April 1992, The Renco Group, Inc. of New York City purchased AM General Corporation from LTV.
First HUMMER from their new South Bend facility

On January 2, 1985, AM General rolled the first HMMWV (aka. HUMMER) off the assembly line of their new South Bend facility.
Revolutionary HUMMER® introduced to civilian world.

In 1992, AM General began production of versions of the Humvee, called the HUMMER for civilian use. Known as "the world's most serious 4x4," the vehicle has found favor with commercial users who appreciate the value of HUMMER's long life and amazing performance, and individuals who seek the ultimate in toughness and mobility.
General Engine Products begins production of diesel engines.

In 1999, AM General incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, General Engine Products LLC (GEP), and constructed a new plant in Franklin, Ohio to build 6.5-liter diesel engines. GEP supplies service engines to General Motor's Service Parts Operation (SPO) and builds engines for AM General's use, as well as for other customers.
GM begins marketing HUMMER H1 and H2.

In December 1999, AM General and General Motors Corporation finalized an agreement to jointly pursue product, marketing and distribution opportunities for HUMMER. GM acquired the exclusive ownership of the HUMMER brand name worldwide and the current HUMMER was renamed the HUMMER H1. In 2002, AM General began assembling the HUMMER H2, a new "next generation" sport utility vehicle designed by GM, at a new factory in Mishawaka. GM now has responsibility for marketing and distributing all HUMMERs. Although GM acquired the HUMMER brand, they do not own any part of AM General.

In April 2002, AM General was converted to a limited liability company.

In August 2004, MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings and the Renco Group announced the formation and capitalization of a new venture to own AM General LLC.

In 2007, AM General and General Dynamics Land Systems formed a joint venture named General Tactical Vehicles to compete for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program.
HUMMER

General Motors has responsibility for marketing and distributing all HUMMERs.

AM General also provides parts and training support for all its products and its Engineering and Product Development Center provides systems technical support for several military vehicle systems in addition to the Humvee.

During eight decades of growth, AM General has established a reputation as the world leader in the design, engineering and production of military and special purpose vehicles.

AM General and Humvee are registered trademarks of AM General LLC.
HUMMER, H1 and H2 are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation.

Hummer is a brand of vehicles sold by General Motors. The original Hummer HMMWV, M998 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, was created to be an armored military vehicle. It has since made its way into popular consciousness and controversy.

Hummers were originally made by AM General Corporation, a former heavy industries division of American Motors. The buzz about this warrior vehicle started in 1990, when two white Hummers traveled from London to Beijing over the rough terrain of central Soviet Union. Not only did the Hummers finish the trek in record time and with ease but also they looked great doing so, as their progress was broadcast around the world on ESPN. Although the pictures were powerful PR, the exposure paled in comparison to that which it received for its service during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

In 1991, AM General began to sell a civilian version of the M998 to the public under the brand name Hummer. In 1999, AM General sold the brand name to General Motors but continued the manufacturing. Encouraged by the popular acceptance of the H1, GM introduced two new models, the H2 and H3. The new models kept the rugged looks of the H1 but started fitting the new models with more consumer pleasing amenities. Am General never gave up the manufacturing of the H1 or the H2. GM only supplied the parts and didn't officially own the H1 or H2's until it was taken off of the AM Generals automotive plants. The H3 was designed in a collaborative effort between Am General and General Motors. The H1 and H2 were solely the brain child of AM General In May of 2006, GM announced that it was discontinuing production of the H1.

The current popularity of the Hummer with many consumers may be due in large part to the popularity it has enjoyed among the rich and famous, however, where there is this much buzz, there is controversy. Hummer H1 was basically the same vehicle used by the military except it had no amour or weapons; however, the drive train, frame, body suspension, etc. are exactly the same.  Except in up armored HUMVEE's. The US fuel economy regulations do not apply to H1 because they can weigh over 8,500 lbs. These large, heavy vehicles require a lot of fuel; it is estimated that H1 gets about 16-mpg diesel, while the H2 gets about 9.6-mpg gas. And while these numbers are similar to those of other heavy trucks and SUV’s, many economy and ecology minded people are asking (some rather loudly) if such a large vehicle is needed to pick up kids from ballet practice. These questions may be responsible in part for the discontinuation of H1 as GM attempts to pare down the size without diminishing the image. New models will soon become available. HUMMER will come back with a bang.

I had someone ask me about the lawsuit by JEEP claiming GM\HUMMER has stole designs from Jeep. Jeep lost this but it has been a very open topic and was one of HUMMER's first publicized propaganda reports to destroy the brand. But just as all of the critics since this one, they continue to fail to destroy the love people have for this Iconic Brand. They may no longer produce new ones, but the ones they do produce still outshine all other 4 wheel drives that dare to cross their paths.
This article is courtesy of the ( New York Law Journal ) author of this report is BY LEWIS R. CLAYTON.

Web address: http://www.law.com/ny
SERVINGTHEBENCH
ANDBARSINCE1888
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LITIGATION
BY LEWIS R. CLAYTON
On Hummer and Jeep Wrangler Grilles and Recent Case Law

CAN SIMILARITIES in the design of
a front-end grille cause consumer
confusion between a $50,000
Hummer H2 and a $28,000 Jeep
Wrangler? After discussing a U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Seventh Circuit decision that
answered that question in the negative, this
column discusses significant copyright, trademark
and patent decisions handed down in the last
three months.
Since the beginning of World War II, over
60 years ago, Americans have been familiar
with the Jeep, born as military transport and
now marketed as a sport utility vehicle. After
the Gulf War, consumers heard about the
Humvee, a larger and more powerful military
vehicle, ultimately marketed to the public as
the Hummer. Both the Hummer and certain
Jeep models share a distinctive front grille
featuring seven large vertical slots.
Earlier this year, as General Motors was
preparing for mass production of a new,
less-expensive Hummer H2 (priced at about
$50,000, less than half the cost of the original
H1 model), DaimlerChrysler, producer of Jeep,
brought an action alleging that the Hummer
grille infringed and diluted the Jeep’s trade
dress. On Nov. 18, 2002, the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the
decision of an Indiana district court denying a
preliminary injunction, adopting the lower
court’s decision as its own. AM General Corp. v.
DaimlerChrysler Corp., 2002 WL 31545350
(7th Cir., Nov. 18, 2002).
No ‘Family’ of Marks Shown
A key to the court’s decision was its holding
that DaimlerChrysler had failed to show that
Jeep vehicles use a “family” of marks that share
a Jeep grille design consisting of seven to 10
vertical slots. A “family” is a “group of marks
having a recognizable common characteristic,”
so that “the public associates not only the individual
marks, but the common characteristic of
the family, with the trademark owner.”
Whether a family exists “is an issue of fact
based on the common formative component’s
distinctiveness, the family’s use, advertising,
promotion and inclusion in [the] party’s other
marks.” See, Rose Art Industries, Inc. v.
Swanson, 235 F.3d 165, 173 (3d Cir. 2000)
(requiring a “consistent overall look”). A
plaintiff sometimes attempts to establish such a
family in order to make it easier to demonstrate
the strength of its mark and show likelihood of
confusion — if a family is established, a plaintiff
may rely on evidence concerning any member
of the family in proving these elements.
DaimlerChrysler failed to show a family
because it could not demonstrate sufficient
uniformity among the front grilles of its various
Jeep models. On that basis, the court found
that DaimlerChrysler had not come forward
with evidence of likely confusion. While
DaimlerChrysler had produced evidence of
overall confusion between the H2 and the Jeep
brand, it did not show confusion with the
specific Jeep models that had a similar
front grille.
Denial of the injunction also rested upon
several traditional factors — the court found:
that General Motors did not intend to cause
confusion; that purchasers are likely to use great
care before buying an expensive motor vehicle,
so that they are unlikely to be misled by design
similarities; and that grant of an injunction
would cause severe injury to GM, which had
invested hundreds of millions of dollars in production
and marketing costs in the H2 project.
Copyright

This article is reprinted with permission from
law.com. Copyright © 2002 NLP IP Company.
All rights reserved.
NEW YORK LAW JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2002


Hummer, Hummer H1, Hummer H1 Alpha, Hummer H2, Hummer H2 SUT, Hummer H3, Hummer H3t, General Motors, Am General are a registered trademark of the General Motors, Corp and\or Am General LLC. These terms and slogans are only used for identification purposes and we are in no way directly affiliated with ( GM ) General Motors or AM General HUMMER.