May 29, 2009 Update: Hummer sale status stagnant

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[size=11pt]Hummer sale status stagnant

Spokesman says brand?s sale remains in discussion stages with no final deal certain.

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Don?t hold your breath waiting for the announcement that the Hummer brand has been sold.



Nick Richards, Hummer communications director, said this afternoon that the status of Hummer is pretty much what it has been the past few weeks.



It could sell any day, and it may take a while longer.



"Where we are at is where we are a couple weeks ago," Richards said. "We are still in discussions with a pair of serious bidders.



"We are working through the final details to come up with a preliminary agreement and hope to make an announcement about it in the near future."



Richards also indicated it?s possible the brand won?t sell.



"As we said back in late February and March, we have interested parties. If we can come to an agreement ... we will sell.



"If not, we will end production in 2009."



AM General, which makes the Hummer H2 at its Mishawaka plant, declined comment today and referred all questions to Richards.



South Bend-based AM General created the Hummer brand and later sold it to GM. The company still is under contract with GM to produce the Hummer H2. AM General?s H2 plant in Mishawaka has been idle since mid-January.



The H2 plant is adjacent to AM General?s Humvee plant, which has absorbed nearly all of the displaced Hummer workers.



AM General employs more that 2,200 in the Michiana area.



GM?s imminent bankruptcy announcement ?? expected Monday ?? had sparked word that a decision on Hummer might be announced Friday.



Staff writer Jim Meenan:

South Bend Tribune