– The 2003 Hummer H2 goes on sale in July with a base price of $48,800, including the $735 destination charge. The H2, which is based on General Motor’s full-size trucks, is about half the price of the H1, the civilian version of the Humvee military vehicle and the original Hummer. Standard features on the H2 includes a 6-liter, 316-horsepower V-8, permanent four-wheel-drive, a locking rear differential and traction control that can be directed to a single wheel.
– Mercury plans to produce 18,000 high-performance 2003 Marauder sedans annually, and it could bump output up to 30,000 if demand exceeds the sales forecast, says Steve Babcock, Marauder project manager.
– Hyundai has given its Santa Fe sport-utility vehicle a midyear upgrade by adding a power sunroof as a new option ($595 on GLS and LX). Other changes made at no added cost include moving the clock from the header to the center of the dash, adding larger air conditioning vents, adding gas-powered struts for the hood, illuminating power window switches and glove box interior and adding chrome interior door handles and parking brake knob.
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– Wayne Cherry, General Motors’ vice president for design, will remain in that job past his expected retirement date. Cherry, who was expected to retire when he turns 65 in September, will stay on as design chief for up to another year, says spokesman Brian Akre. But, the automaker is reported to still be looking for Cherry’s successor.
