Jalopnik Snap Judgment: It's suddenly becoming more apparent why GM considers the sale of Hummer to be an "urgent" matter: perhaps it's because with every day that passes — and every dealer that closes — the value of the brand is dropping like c-notes at the craps table. If GM wants to get anything out of this deal, they have to act quickly. Evidence is mounting that keeping Hummer as a viable concern in the US market is unlikely, so any potential suitors will need to come from countries with a strong market for over-the-top SUVs — Russia or somewhere in the Middle East. [WSJ]

"Perhaps the best deal for GM would be to procure smaller Chinese SUV’s and turn the Hummer brand into an economical SUV brand."

Now there's a moneymaking idea for the General: Build smaller, more fuel efficient and totally unsafe SUVs! [China Car Times]

The incentive bonuses are not insignificant: Automotive News quoted Miami Hummer dealer Ed Williamson as saying they could "be substantial," often in the six-figures. Williamson would know: He happens to own the highest-volume Hummer store in the country, Williamson Cadillac-Hummer. So how many of the beasts did the hottest location move in June? Thirty-one, or about one per day. That's compared to about 100 a month during 2007.

Jalopnik Snap Judgment: Sales dropping due to a "loser" image? Irrelevant products? A parent company that's given up hope? It's DeSoto, Studebaker and Oldsmobile all over again. Take a picture of yourself next to an H2 soon: One day your kids will say "I can't believe people used to drive things like that!" [Automotive News (Sub. Req.); Photo Credit: A1 Limobus]

The murmuring about Hummer being up for sale got credence with the news that Citibank has been retained to conduct a "strategic review" of the brand. Our little birdie has told us that Citibank's real job is to screen potential buyers. [Automotive News Sub. Req.]

Countries raking in huge oil profits are would be the most likely destination for Hummer. Markets in Russia and Latin America continue to demand large SUVs, while China and India are potential suitors as well. At least one analyst speculated about Hummer as a logical fit for Tata Motors. "It would be a great fit with Land Rover," said Rajesh Kothari, a partner with investment banker Seneca Partners LLC and Manchester Holdings. "Hummer is a similar product line; it has similar demographics but a different reach." While the combination of Tatas and a Hummer make perfect sense to us, a spokesperson from the Indian automaker declined to comment.
[Freep; Photo Credit: GraniteGrok.com]

Most of Phelan's arguments center around the drawbacks of shutting Hummer down. Thing is, shuttering the brand has always seemed the least-likely scenario. Instead, GM would be better off selling the brand to an outside investor or automaker who could then supply Hummer products to the markets that demanded them — including the U.S., should they choose to do so. Hummer dealers would mostly remain intact, owners would retain parts and service availability, and the General could post a nice chunk of cash to its books while ridding itself of a brand liability and excess manufacturing capacity. What's not to like here?

The news isn't all doom and gloom, however: Third shifts are coming to the Lake Orion plant that builds G6 and Malibu and to the Lordstown plant spewing Cobalt and G5. In other words, big vehicles out, little econoboxes in. Next up: Chrysler announces new Lean Burn 300C.