Hummer

One of the most iconic gas guzzlers and images of excess of the modern motoring era – the military-inspired Hummer brand – could make a comeback in the US a decade after being dumped. But there is a big twist: according to reports out of the US it will aim for a more environmentally-friendly image with a line-up of electric utes and SUVs.

A trio of carmakers have issued recalls in Australia over the past week, including Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and, by way of GM Holden, the retired Hummer brand. For Mercedes-Benz, nearly 1800 examples of its A-Class and B-Class hatches sold between September 2012 and June 30 2013 may be affected. The German carmaker reports that in both model ranges, a fault with the drive shaft retaining rings could cause a loss of drive in extreme driving situations.

General Motors is recalling around 1.5 million passenger cars, trucks and SUVs around the world to remove a windshield-wiper fluid heating system that can overheat and cause a fire. Many of the affected vehicles were recalled in 2008 to fix a similar problem with the same component, but the latest reports of fires in some previously repaired vehicles has prompted GM to remove the system altogether.

Update: Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co named as buyer. Revised story coming. Following General Motors declaring bankruptcy earlier today, the company has now announced it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a buyer for its once strong Hummer brand. Although most suspected the sale to happen sooner than later, GM says it's a result of the company's strategic review of the Hummer brand and its current rebuilding efforts.

In an odd twist to a vehicle more commonly seen sporting chrome 22s or a set of Spinners, artist Matthew Harrison today unveiled his latest project simply entitled ‘Hummer’ at the fifth Zoo Art Fair in London. The Hummer H3, complete with wooden wagon wheels, will be parked opposite the Royal Academy of Arts for the duration of the fair.