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Planes, Trains & Automobiles

25 Nov 2009

About 38 million Americans are expected to go somewhere this holiday season, and AAA says that's up about 1.4 percent from last year. NBC's Tom Costello has the details.

Maria's Market Message 24 Nov 2009
CNBC's Sue Herera sits in for Maria Bartiromo to discuss the day's top business and financial stories, and look ahead to tomorrow's Closing Bell.

GM's Saab Story

24 Nov 2009

It's back to the drawing board for GM after a Swedish company pulled out at the last minute of a deal to buy the Saab unit. Insight with Erich Merkle, independent automotive consultant and CNBC's Phil LeBeau.

GM's Saab Deal Is Off 24 Nov 2009
General Motors' Saab deal is off, reports CNBC's Phil LeBeau.

BMW Signed as Olympic Partner

20 Nov 2009

BMW has been chosen as the official automotive partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics games. Ian Robertson, board member of BMW Group, spoke to CNBC about the sponsorship.

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CNBC ON DIGG

Why The Chinese Should Be Bold With Hummer

Published: Monday, 12 Oct 2009 | 9:26 AM ET

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By: Phil LeBeau
CNBC Reporter

Maybe it's because there were few other options.

Maybe it's because HUMMER has fallen in relevance among automakers.

Or maybe it's because people finally realize it was inevitable for a Chinese company to buy an American automaker.

Whatever the reason, the sale of HUMMER has created little angst and even less buzz among auto enthusiasts. Sure, we've known for months GM would be selling the company known for monster SUVs. But now that it's happened, there is no anticipation about the brand's future. Congratulations Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. Ltd.! You've just spent $150 million for a company many people have written off.

Actually, that works out well for HUMMER boss Jim Taylor and his new bosses in China. The only way HUMMER can thrive and survive is to embrace its niche status and have the freedom to be bold and different. And when sales have plunged to the point of HUMMER's so that few even pay attention, it's the perfect time plan the next generation of models that will bring back the brand.

Today's Muscle Cars Ripe for Collectors

Part of the problem for HUMMER has been GM trying to expand the brand with smaller "watered-down" SUVs, like the H3. While I agree that HUMMER can and should grow with smaller SUVs, they need to maintain the iconic HUMMER feel. In recent years, with the brand soaring GM was fighting high gas prices, a catering auto market, and anti-SUV sentiment to grow HUMMER. There was little GM could have done to reverse the slide.

But the Chinese can do that IF they are bold and remember HUMMER buyers love the big rigs because they ARE different. They are aggressive. They make no apologies for being big and bad. Nor should they. There is plenty of room (and plenty of buyers) in the auto market for a HUMMER that embraces its heritage and unique place in America. Let's hope the Chinese remember this as they blaze a new trail with HUMMER.