The greatest 4 x 4 Hire in South Africa: the Hummer

Cars for sale in South Africa are usually the same endless stream of white Toyota’s, off-gray Monza’s and far-too expensive BMW and Mercedes variations. I’m an admirer of cars that crush the competition. A true monster that steam rolls over land-mines and leaves other 4x4’s smashed in a burning heap of flames and rusting metal. That’s why I believe in the GM Hummer. This miracle machine has only been in existence since the 1980’s, when it was used exclusively by the US Military. Now anyone [with an excessive surplus of cash] can lay their hands on this four wheeled behemoth. Come with me now, as we raise the curtain on the story of the world’s favourite 4x4.

Many automobile companies have been around since the beginning of the Second World War and most have a long and draconian history that imbues their cars and their origins in an almost mythical story of wins, losses and impressive defeats. Not the Hummer though. This is one brand that has gained a rapid fan base, despite its considerably quick inception. Hummer’s latest entry into the fro, the H3, gives us the opportunity to look back at its interesting beginnings.

The AM General Corporation was the initial company name that birthed the idea of the Hummer. From here, in 1903, they hoped around and underwent multiple name changes until the 1980’s when AM General was commissioned by the US army to create a High Mobility, Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle, the HMMWV. An extremely short development cycle of only eleven months pleased the Military and the prototypes satisfied the higher-ups, asking for a full blown throng of Hummers! 55,000 Trucks were ordered; giving birth to the Humvee we all know and love. Yet, it was not until the Gulf war of the 90’s that the word Hummer would become a true household name.

Seeing these monsters in action on CNN or watching Arnold Schwarzenegger roll over democrats in his shiny H3 [this is a possibility] brought smiles to the heart of every patriotic American. The flag waving bravado that a bomb-proof, living room-sized vehicle provided everyday Jack and Jill’s with was yet another reason to burn through their credit cards and plant their behinds in the roomy seat of a gas-guzzling 4x4 behemoth. Very shortly after the end of the war, production of the Hummers went into full swing; culminating in these three basic models we know and love today.

The H1 sold extremely well, despite its high ‘entry-level’ price point. The fat really hit the fan when the GM [General Motors] Corporation obtained the Hummer brand in 1999 and retrofitted the H1, turning it into the H2, which was built on the bare skeleton of the Chevrolet Suburban. The H1 is the rock-climber, the indestructible one while the H2 was made for the urban warrior. Despite the rugged goodness that the H1 represents, it was never the 4x4 made for a wider audience and was unable to shed its military looks. Sadly, it has now been discontinued.
Despite the H2 being priced at a lower price point than the H1, it did not take the minds at GM long to start thinking about a version that could be easily available for people craving the Hummer brand. After much development time, GM announced the 2006 H3 and at a great starting price, the H3 excels as a consumer friendly 4x4. Powered by an inline five cylinder engine, The H3 is now locally made in Port Elizabeth, where export models [along with right-hand drives] are being manufactured at a blistering rate.
These three models have paved the way for Hummers name as a consumer-friendly brand that is as much of an icon as any other famous car company, such as Ferrari or Porsche.
So lace up your boots and get the best of 4x4 hire in South Africa, Hummer is calling.

I have been considering a car hire in Namibia and came across some interesting under 21 car rental websites.