6.4.2005
HUMMER continues global expansion by adding assembly in South Africa

GM today announced the next step in the global expansion of HUMMER. Starting late in 2006, a global version of the all-new HUMMER H3 will be assembled at the GM plant in Struandale, South Africa. The additional volume to be assembled in South Africa is solely dedicated for export to markets in Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.

When South African assembly begins in late-2006, it will involve components originally produced in GM’s Shreveport, Louisiana plant (United States). The new assembly operation in South Africa will focus on the implementation of revised content – such as right-hand drive – exclusively for H3s sold outside North America. Annual production volume of the midsize sport utility vehicle homologated for export markets could eventually exceed 10,000 units per year.

HUMMER H3 vehicles built in South Africa will be exported to left-hand drive markets in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Right-hand drive versions will be exported to markets such as the United Kingdom, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and other Asian markets. Another specific product feature for international markets, coming at a later date, is a diesel engine.

General Motors South Africa will be the only manufacturing site outside of the United States to assemble the HUMMER H3. Production of the H3 will begin this spring at GM’s Shreveport, Louisiana plant in the United States, with those vehicles primarily destined for markets in North America, Europe and the Middle East.