China could block Hummer sale – again
June 29, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Chinese state radio is today claiming that the upcoming sale of GM’s Hummer brand to Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery will be blocked due to environmental concerns.
It’s the second time this month the deal has been threatened following an announcement from the government last fortnight that building Hummer vehicles went against Beijing’s policy of developing more energy efficient technologies.
While the announcement may seem out of character for a country not well known for its environmental policies, it is one that has been met with applause from local green groups.
But Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery disputes the claim as rumour insisting the deal will go ahead by October as planned.
“The fact that it is from a state media organisation does not mean it is government policy,” Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery said in a statement. “Some people may have views and speculation, but the Chinese government has a process that we respect.”
Whilst we’re sure the arguement is bound to continue, the outcome will be very clear in four short months. Either way, we’ll keep you posted.
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A 4×4 Isuzu NPS250/300 light truck is a superior choice over one of these POS loaded with planned short term obsolence.
This is the best news story of the day. I hate it when governments meddle with business but when it comes to saving the environment its the only viable solution. I know the story is probably not true but I’ll take it as a win until I hear otherwise. Down with Hummer!
If China doesn’t buy Hummer, this brand is most likely doomed as i doubt anyone else will be interested.
On the subject of environment, perhaps China should stop pumping so much CO2 from the industries and the coal power stations. They have refused to cut down on CO2 emission citing the west should be responsible for the cutting down, yet they will ban the purchase of Hummer based on environmental concerns…
Alan, what gives you (or the West) the authority to tell the third world not to develop and enjoy the things that are possible with cheap electricity generation (i.e. coal-fired power plants) that you and your peers have enjoyed for decades?
Also, it’s you and your Western world buddies who demand cheap products, and that’s why China is pumping them out.
YOU are the problem, not China, nor any other third world country.
shut up Demonaz
Demonaz,
I agree that it’s the western countries off loading their pollution to China due to cheap manufacturing, but at the same this has given China money to allow it growth in wealth for both the country and the people. Yes, on moral grounds we can’t demand them to not enjoy electricity like we have, but when the country in question is the world’s largest polluter we got to look at the moral question again. It matters very little what countries like Australia do, any reduction in CO2 emission we achieve in a year will be offsetted by the increase by China in matter of months, if you look at the big picture, than i do think China is the problem.
Alan, Yes China pollutes with the best of them but their new coal powered power stations are very efficient from what I have read. They are building new technology stations which are much more efficient then almost all Western ones.
Maybe Sam but they still dont sustain the energy the country requires to operate.
I heard that Hummer was still going to be made in the USA anyway, not China.
@Alan – I think per capita CO2 output, Austalians shouldn’t be slaggin the Chinese.
http://www.nationmaster.com/gr.....per-capita
We need to get our own house in order before we start complaining that they aren’t doing enough.
As for Hummer, they’re cool but so were flared pants.
i’m with u demonaz…………
demonaz, Whilst I agree that we shouldn’t stop the developing countries from enjoying electricity, I believe that the Western countries should be assisting and encouraging both China and India to develope and use cleaner energy systems from the outset. Whilst you may claim it is “morally wrong” for us to say ‘don’t use coal fired electricity”, I would find it Criminally Negligent to just turn around as let them make the same mistakes we did.
Al Says:
Are you aware that in the correlation of those figures, you and I are responsible for the output of CO2 in China because we are mining, selling and exporting coal to China for them to use, then we buy import and use products they make. So what these figures tell you is that YOU are producing CO2 in China not the Chinese. Also these figures do not take into account the cooking fires of the households in China or India that are not graced with Electricity. So a rather large grai of salt is needed when viewing these reports….