The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has announced a ten-year, $20.6m tax break package that will keep the headquarters of Hummer in Detroit after the brand is sold to Chinese firm Sichuan Tenzhong. The Detroit News reports that Hummer will employ 100 workers at its headquarters post-sale, and plans to invest $9.4m over the next five years and hire an additional 200 employees. Negotiations between GM and Sichuan Tenzhong are ongoing. In other Hummer news, a study in the Journal of Consumer Research [via Science Daily] seeks to understand the mentality of the now-rare Hummer driver. And it turns out that, at least in the minds of Hummer drivers, giant SUVs are patriotic.
The study’s authors conclude:
As we studied American Hummer owners and their ideological beliefs, we found that they consider Hummer driving a highly moral consumption choice. For Hummer owners it is possible to claim the moral high ground… Our analysis of the underlying American identity discourses revealed that being under siege by (moral) critics is an historically established feature of being an American. The moralistic critique of their consumption choices readily inspired Hummer owners to adopt the role of the moral protagonist who defends American national ideals.
Sounds like Hummer will be right at home in Detroit.
Is that picture from “Team America, World Police?”
As I’m not a Michigan resident, I have no chips in the game…..
but with $20.6MM to be spent, that money could’ve spent bankrolling a lot students w/good ideas at U.M./MSU/etc.
Yuppie: If you are Trey Parker or his lawyer, the answer is no and you’re going to have to supply an autograph in order to keep reading.
Otherwise, eff yeah!
As we studied American Hummer owners and their ideological beliefs, we found that they consider Hummer driving a highly moral consumption choice.
Reminds me of that scene from Monty Python about the Holy Hand Grenade…
Yuppie: “Is that picture from “Team America, World Police?”
I sure hope it’s a cartoon, because when that rocket is ignited the passenger’s head is going to be vaporized…
@50merc
its a marionettes movie. funny as hell.
especially remembering the sex scene WAHAHAHAHA
i mean grosssssssss
nope, still WAHAHAHAHA ;)
and Kim Jong-il killing hans bliz hahaha
or the FAGs = film actors guild :DDDD
a must-see!
And it turns out that, at least in the minds of Hummer drivers, giant SUVs are patriotic.
Yeah right, and they get great gas mileage too!
Mr. Editor-in-Chief: I am neither Mr. Parker nor his attorney, but I am an attorney and a fellow Canuck. That said, the use of the picture would still be, in my humble NON-LEGAL opinion, fair use as I am sure you were trying to evoke the “America, F___ Yeah” theme of that movie.
If any of these teensy little soccer moms knew what a Hummer really was then they would not be driving one.
A bit work unsafe this, but it’s just text.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hummer
I want to meet my new hero: the person who talked some dolt or group of same into financing a study on the mental set of Hummer owners. The “science” of Science Daily must be chugging gin.
Also, did we really need a study to confirm that the people likely to make such bad choices as to buy a thing like a Hummer as a daily driver are sniveling, simple minded pinheads?
I didn’t think so.
I mean at least anyone with any aesthetic sense would have stepped back and gone “God that thing is big and dumb looking and ugly”
Patriotism nothing,
What’s it, that the 100% American is 99% Idiot? – George Bernard Shaw (paraphrased)
Hummer owner: “Hurrr America!!” – Whatever, plebes.
Team America World Police should be placed on your bucket list of movies to watch. Just keep the kiddies outta the room. Perfect pic tied to this article the debacle Hummer has become along with the debacle Michigan has become. Did people not read the recent WSJ article about the analysis on Michigan and tax breaks which basically summed up what we all thought……they don’t work.
“Team America: World Police” is a work of (perverted) genius that elucidates the absurdity of extremism in today’s politics. It’s designed to offend anyone who takes sides, and entertain anyone who can see both sides of issues. Highly recommended, but send the kids away, as it is just plain “wrong”!
And yes, the Hummer is definitely an automotive example of extremism, to the point of cartoon comedy.
50merc: “I sure hope it’s a cartoon, because when that rocket is ignited the passenger’s head is going to be vaporized…”
Nah, that’s the jet booster that adorns all of Team America’s vehicles after they “valmorphanize” (heh heh)
I’d like to get a tax break for getting a hummer in Detroit. I wonder how often Maximum Bob gets a hummer? And from where? Somewhere along 8 Mile?
I’d never own a Hummer as I’m a Jeep guy, however Hummers just scream America being the best, including big, loud, and full of life. Wasn’t that the idea of what the poor communist peasants in the former USSR dreamed of when they thought of coming to America?
Just last week while in my lifted Jeep I passed a lovely and shinny red H2, driven by what looked like a successful, hard working aging white guy that bought it because he earned it. I actually smiled and hoped that men like him would still continue to exist in America’s future. But I do have my doubts…
If you believe any of the following statements:
a) The oil crysis is jist somethin made up by Bin Ladin so he can get richur
b) The oil crysis is jist somethin made up by those veggy-lovin hippies
c) Thars no such thing as a redneck
Then, yes, driving a Hummer is patriotic.