Ok this paper will be 30-50 pages long and will involve hummer but I need to get it narrowed down on what questions to research and answer....So what would you like to know about hummer in depth from research? Marketing? advertsiing to women? ........etc etc. Heres a brief synopsis on hummer.

A short synopsis is this:

The hummer was critically acclaimed in the gulf was. In 1992 Arnold S made a deal with AMG to sell a hummer to him for $100,000. The hummer imaging then started to blast off with Mr. Macho himself. The model remained essentially the same except for a lack of a machine gun and added door locks. 1,000 a year were sold annually.

In 1999 AMG hummer was bought up by GM with ideas of expansion. GM started design on the H2 a new practical hummer for half the cost $50,000. This was released about 2002 and was a hit. It was mainly aimed at the 40 under crowd and to show off the image of macho. People like the NBA Shaq, and even carrot top the comedian bought one.
This car was especially popular in California where there are 7 hummer dealers in one county alone. Image is very popular in that area.
Hummer was even aimed towards women who actually made up a nice position I believe 20% or so of buyers. The woman would use this to show off her power also. One dealer had 20 of its first 60 hummers bought by women.

A Vanity Fair ad that tells women: "Threaten men at the office in a whole new way."
One dealer discussed how men had to call their wives to buy one. Women had no hesitation and bought one on the post.

Dealerships were now almost huge out door exhibition centers. One dealer has a 25,000 square feet area of hummers and an out door course designed to test drive show off the hummer in anything. GM wants all dealers to be like this althoug it will take time and lots of money.

Sales slowed in 2004 because of gas prices. It only got 11 miles a gallon, about $50.00 for evey 320 miles

 

Some questions to ask/answer:

- demographic of H1 vs. H2 buyers. Do a comparison of who buys the "real deal" versus the H2.

- Location of Hummer dealerships. The Hummer is (allegedly) a hardcore offroader (talking H2 here). Is there a higher concentration of dealerships in major cities, as opposed to areas where they could actually be used. Is the Hummer line marketed for utility or stature/bling?

- What image does Hummer portray in it's commercials? How is it being sold to consumers --> Is GM marketing this truck as an adventure vehicle (i.e. Jeep Wrangler), city cruiser (i.e. FX35), or whatever else you can think of.

- What other vehicles are cross shopped when consumers are making their purchase? Full size SUV, Luxury SUV, Dump Truck?

I'm just brainstorming here. . . so I may be way off base. Just trying to waste time instead of doing my Kaplan GMAT homework (jealous that you're already in school).

 

sweet some great suggestions! I will def take those into consideration.

The asnwers I come up with have to be not easily deducted but answered through research so it will be interesting

Whats really interesting is the patriotic aspect of the hummer. Owners feel proud since they are buying a vehicle that is fighting over there. One owner talked about how he would buy an M-1 tank if it was legal

Keep it coming guys, I'm planning to finish my outline by this weekend.

 

Did GM buy AM General or just the right to sell Hummers?

Again, differences between the H1 and H2. How do H1 owners view H2 owners and vice versa? Who buys H1s vs. H2s? Does the H3 give the brand less credibility (as it will be a Canyon from what I hear).

The Army Hummvee has 3 torsen differentials (center/front/rear) I believe; it is renowned for its off road capabilities. Does the consumer H1 have this? Since the H2 is essentially a Tahoe, does it have the same type of triple torsen configuration? I believe that it uses a standard 4WD system with a solid rear axle and brake traction control. Does it even have a SINGLE torsen diff? Is it a "real" Hummer or just in name only?

Do H2 drivers think that they have the real deal (I would bet many, especially the women, do )?

How influential was Arnold in building the brand?

There is lots of animosity for the H2. Auto enthusiasts basically call it a poseur-mobile as it is really just a Tahoe. Environmentalists hate it due to its HIGH pollution. Some are jealous of them. Perhaps you can look into why Hummer is such a loved and hated brand.

 

Ok guys heres the outline let me know what you think hehe thanks for the help. please add to this if you feel like that I'm missing something.

Research questions that will be answered include the following:

Demographic of Hummer buyers? Are H1 buyers diff from H2 and how so?

Are hummer dealerships located around big cities or wild areas where they can be used? Do they really get used for their true purpose?

What other vehicles are simialr towards hummer and crossed shopped? Who wins in these large SUV wars?

Do military personal buy the hummer since they work with it so much? Why or why not?

The hummer seems to be loved and hated equally? Why is it the case for this?


I.Discuss the history and devolopment of hummer.

a.What is it? What is its purpose why is it needed? Does it do the job? What came before it?

b. The importance of the 1st gulf war for the hummer.

II. The hummer experiments with civilian market.

a. Arnold S and his role. What prompted this?

b. What changes were made from the military model? How many were sold.

III. The hummer goes to full production. Discuss the Five 5ps of H1.

a. Product, what is it ? Strenghts, weaknesses?

b. Place, where was it marketed to and used?

c. Price, how much did it cost to buy and make ? Materials needed?

d. People, who bought it? What were the demographics?

e. Promotion, who was it promotoed to? Was there advertising?

IV. GM makes a big move

a. Why did GM buyer the hummer line? Was there potential?

V. The new face of hummer the H2 Discuss the Five ps.

a. Product, what is it ? Strenghts weakneses? Compeitition?

b. Place, where was it marketed to and used?

c. Price, how much did it cost to buy and make ? Materials needed?

d. People, who bought it? What were the demographics?

e. Promotion, who was it promotoed to? Was there advertising? Were the sales on target?

VI. The future and position of hummer.

a. Current sales and demand.

b. New vehicle lineups (H2 refined, H3)

c. More compeition

d. Environement fuel concerns.

e. conduct a SWOT analysis.

I will have anywhere from 10-20 sources and this paper should be able to cover 30-50 pages. some pages will just have pictures and data etc.

 

It would be too difficult to market a research paper, but if you insist

 

huh? explain more clearly? Its not a marketing paper per say but has some focus on it. Mostly about hummer and answering those Qs.

If your gonna post plz be helpful thanks