Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Auto

Sorry America, the Humvee is Back…But Only in China?

By

Humvee
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The Hummer brand started with a bang, but ended with a whimper. When GM shut the doors on Hummer for good in 2010, fans of the rugged automaker were surely upset, but not because a good thing had come to an end. In reality, Hummer began its slide from grace after the the civilian-spec H1 stopped being sold in 2006. With only the H2 or dreadful H3 available, and with sky-high gas prices, Hummer had little hope for survival at the time.

Despite its end-of-life mistakes, Americans still remember Hummer as the maker of the ultimate macho-mobile: the Humvee. It’s this passion for the original that inspired Humvee Exports, a five-man operation in Michigan, to source H1 parts and export pre-made units globally. AM General, the original H1 manufacturer, has been selling C-Series kits to Humvee Exports since 2013. The company then took each $60K and recreated the Humvee.

HUMVEE C SERIES

Now that the Chinese market is interested, Humvee Exports has turned to their Detroit neighbors for help. According to Car and Driver, VLF Automotive, the company behind power-packed versions of the Karma, Mustang, and Viper, has teamed up with Humvee Exports to assemble C-Series models with GM engines and ship the products to China. VLF’s leadership team, which includes ex-GM executive Bob Lutz, automotive designer Henrik Fisker, and Boeing executive Gilbert Villarreal, has taken on some eye-opening projects in the past, but this may be their most lucrative yet.

Recommended Videos

The C-Series kit, which was shown at this year’s Shanghai Auto Show, looks almost identical to the original H1 from 1990, but the front end is styled after the current military-grade version. VLF Auto will offer the Humvee in three trims — Bravo, Charlie, or Delta — with different luxury and convenience features. Engine options include a 6.5-liter diesel V8 engine in three stages of tune: 190 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque, 205hp and 440 lb-ft, or 250hp and 440 lb-ft. If you’d prefer a gas-powered motor, you can opt for an LS3 6.2-liter V8 with 430hp and 424 lb-ft of torque.

This all sounds great, but there’s one bit of bad news: if you live in the U.S., Humvee Exports and VLF won’t sell you a Humvee. Due to the restrictions of the new Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act, the Humvee cannot be certified for sale in the U.S.

Miles Branman
Miles Branman
Miles Branman developed a passion for cars early on thanks to a neighbor’s collection of rare and exotic vehicles. What…
I drove the 2025 Lincoln Aviator: Here’s what long-distance luxury feels like
Massage seats, self-driving, and a solid infotainment system. Bring on the road trip.
Side view of a 2025 Lincoln Aviator

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator is the mid-sized option from Ford’s luxury arm--sitting on the same platform as the Ford Explorer. It’s spacious, packed with technology, and sporting the kind of comfort features you would expect from something in the $60,000 and up price bracket.

On paper, it’s an ideal daily commuter for someone who likes a bit of comfort. But nobody drives on paper. To test it out thoroughly, I took it on a fairly major trip from New York’s Capital Region to the tip of Long Island and back. This involved between eight and ten hours of driving through a couple of towns, highways, the interstate, and a busy part of New York city.

Read more
Alpine F1 team will use Mercedes power units and gearboxes starting in 2026
With the new agreement, Alpine will be power unit customers, no longer potential suppliers to other teams.
Alpine and Mercedes-AMG F1 race cars.

After Renault's Alpine announced the decision to cease making engines for F1 race cars after 2025, that left open the question of where Alpine's F1 team would turn to source their engines. We now know the answer. Beginning in the 2026 season, Mercedes will supply the power units for Alpine's F1 race car. Mercedes will also supply the gearboxes used in the cars in 2026. The agreement to use Mercedes power units lasts through 2030, but Alpine plans to build and use their own gearbox starting in 2027.
Why Alpine's decision is a big deal
When Alpine disclosed it would cease building engines for F1 cars, it was a sea change for the manufacturer. Alpine and parent company Renault have historically been engine suppliers, providing engines to their F1 team and other teams. With the new agreement, Alpine will be power unit customers, no longer potential suppliers to other teams.
What the power unit supply deal means
The 2025 season will be the last season for the current power units. In 2026, F1 race cars and power units will be subject to next-generation FIA F1 rules and regulations. The new power units will have internal combustion engines that run on 100% biofuels and will use battery power more than the current power units.

Alpine will continue to build F1 engines at its Viry-Chatillon, France division through the end of the 2025 season, after which it will be re-purposed to Hypertech Alpine. Alpine's Enstone, UK division will continue to focus on the F1 race car's chassis.

Read more
2025 F1 Grand Prix calendar of events and races
Here's the full Grand Prix schedule with Sprint races and events
f1 lenovo sao paulo grand prix preview 2024 racing in the 2023

The FIA Formula 1 2025 season will celebrate F1's 75th anniversary throughout the year. The 2025 schedule includes an unprecedented season launch event at The O2 Arena in London and pre-season testing in Bahrain. The 24 Grand Prix events begin on March 14 in Australia and wrap up on December 7 in Abu Dhabi.

Six 2025 Grand Prix events will include Sprint races, the same number as in the 2024 season. Sprints are shorter races held the day before the Grand Prix races. The 2025 Grand Prix events with Sprint races will be in China, Miami, Spa, Austin, Sao Paulo, and Qatar.

Read more