RSS RSS Twitter Twitter
Leftlane - news, reviews, and info for the auto-industry
 
 

China to block Hummer sale?

06/26/2009, 4:09 PM

By Drew Johnson

Lending credence to reports from earlier this month, China’s state radio is claiming Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery’s acquisition of General Motors’ Hummer brand will be blocked due to environmental concerns.

According to China National Radio, the Chinese government will block Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery’s purchase of Hummer due to the marque’s unfavorable environmental reputation. China is not known for its environmental policies but is looking to cut emissions from the manufacturing sector.

“The fact that it is from an article from a state media organization does not mean it is government policy,” Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery said in a statement.

“Some people may have views and speculation, but the Chinese government has a process that we respect.”

According to a BBC report, China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) will also block Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery’s purchase of Hummer. The NDRC says that Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery lacks the experience necessary to run a successful car company.

Despite the recent claims, Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery says it will complete its deal to buy Hummer by October.

    Print This Post

New car price quote

Zero obligation price quote from a trusted local dealer.
 
 

06/26, 4:10 PM

posted by:

A4

Commies.

06/26, 4:11 PM

posted by:

A4

And how will this cut manufacturing emissions in China? All of the production is slated to remain in the US.

06/26, 4:26 PM

posted by:

Madcapp

Since when did the Chinese care about the environment? Its obviously just a red hering.

06/26, 4:26 PM

posted by:

mulletmaster

This is as laughable as saying they will not allow Renault to sell cars because they are unsafe

06/26, 4:47 PM

posted by:

2WheeledSpeed

Whatever… I hate the stupid games those stupid Chinese love to play, especially that absolute crap with Renault.

06/26, 5:24 PM

posted by:

Blakkarr

China is in the middle of sorting out which local car makers will survive and how they will fall together. Before it’s over they could have a dozen GMs, consisting of a dozen car makers or brands each, before those get cleared out. They would block it just to relieve pressure on their market and allow the weak companies to die or be absorbed by better ones.

THIMCo will still likely try to run the company as a US-only operation. Though “run the company” is suggestive, THIMCo may opt to let HUMMER run itself, while they merely owe the company.

06/26, 5:40 PM

posted by:

Borat

Blakkar, very funny point. How China can decide what manufacturer will survive or not? This is function of the market, which is in effect economical extension of Darwin theory: weak shall die or adopt. Whatever decision is made by politburo in China is based on the fact which car company paid most to Dearest Leader of the time son/daughter in law (The Dearest Leader can not get caught or his immediate relative).

06/26, 5:43 PM

posted by:

Lionwithoutpride

My guess? This has all been a well orchestrated farce. The “car company” in question is known to have military links (as many Chinese companies do), which means it still has many strong ties to the government. What are we always complaining about vis-a-vis China’s economy? Oh yeah, THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL RECORD. So, they set up a bid on Hummer THEN the party throws up roadblocks and can point to this and go “see, we are environmentally minded!” The government gets the good press of “seemingly” making STHIM abide by environmental concerns AND if this happens to increase tech-transfers of GM’s green tech to make the sale viable AND/OR reduce the price then all the better. The Chinese come out of the deal looking GREEN and maybe with a real deal on a car company. Do I have any proof? None whatsoever. It’s complete conjecture. If I’m right then the Chinese are as shrewd and brilliant as we all think. Good for them if they get away with things like this. Shame on us if we let them.

06/26, 5:51 PM

posted by:

DenverGuy217

I wonder if they gave this press release while standing in front of one of their pollution spewing plants.

06/26, 6:12 PM

posted by:

leftwingagenda

this deal smelled odd from the get go…whether it’s a political game, or just a chinese company being wacky, either way it doesn’t really pass the smell test…

06/26, 6:39 PM

posted by:

llt21

Even with GM paying them 500 MILLION to take Hummer off their hands wasn’t enough. What an american failure. Just kill Hummer already.

Thanks GM keep it up

06/26, 7:31 PM

posted by:

Borat

Well, why not pay them off with our tax dollars? The function of government is to print money and spend it. There is not a word in Constitution that defines how clever we have to be to piss fortunes away.

06/26, 9:51 PM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

If you don’t want a Chinese hummer just say all you have are travelers cheques.

06/27, 2:36 PM

posted by:

ahnuconun

This is like when the Chinese gov’t arbitrarily banned Renault for their “poor quality and safety”.

With the Chinese everything is about face-saving – they lay down the law for covert political reasons while “officially” showed how the foreigners themselves ad things they themare deficient at. They do this so they can 1) deflect attention away from political manoevering, 2) have political ammunition to draw on when criticized for their own pitifull environmental and safety record, and 3) can further perpetuate false nationalistic beliefs.

Another example of how communism is jam-packed with bull**** and that the Chinese are not to be trusted. Mark my words the world will regret doing business with China on such a wide scale – and it’ll be in the not-too-distant future.

06/27, 2:44 PM

posted by:

ahnuconun

The other reason I just though of is probably the most important. (Anybody remember my comment when Chinese interest in Hummer was first announced that it was a symbolic purchase showing the Chinese would possess an American Icon and symbol of the excesses of western capitalism).

4) The Chinese regime can be seen to have held the fate of the of this American Icon in their hand… AND CRUSHED IT!

That’s all for now…

06/27, 6:53 PM

posted by:

zoomzoomer

LOL Johnny! Who WOULDN’T want a Chinese hummer?

06/27, 8:44 PM

posted by:

1c3d0g

LMFAO…this is ridiculous!

06/29, 4:31 AM

posted by:

CTS-Driver

lmao ill take a chineese hummer.back to reality i like the h3t if they dump the hummerline to the chineese i hope chevy can make a colorado like the h3t

06/29, 6:27 PM

posted by:

Ring-Taxi

Even a messed up government like China is wise enough to realize how pitiful Hummer is!

 
 
You need to log in with your user name and password before you can leave comments.

    

Forgot your Password?

Don't have a user name yet? Simply fill in the form below and click the link provided in the
confirmation email. You must supply a valid email address to complete the registration process.

  
 
 
 
 
  • Login
  • About
  • Contact
Please note that you need to log in with your user name and password before you can leave comments.
  

login
cancel
Forgot your Password?
Don't have a user name yet? Click here to register now.

Simply fill in the form below and click the link provided in the confirmation email. You must supply a valid email address to complete the registration process.

  
submit
cancel
Leftlane is the leading source for automotive industry and vehicle news, new car research, future vehicle information, and reviews. Read by car shoppers, driving enthusiasts, autoworkers, executives, and investors, the website is updated throughout the day with the very latest auto news - as it happens.

Leftlane also provides consumers with accurate and media-rich information on every car currently on the market. In-market shoppers can review specs, read overviews, view high-resolution images, watch videos, and estimate pricing. No other automotive publication brings together the same degree of timeliness, thoroughness and accuracy as Leftlane.
 
submit
cancel