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"HUMMER Ambassador" Ends Two-Continent Tour at Tech Center
The name Tony Velazquez is well known to many people within AM General, to say the least of many people around the world! He and his HUMMER H1 have traveled five continents in seven years.

His latest two-continent excursion ended at the AM General Technical Center in Mishawaka in late April after traveling from his home in Caracas, Venezuela. His trip took him south to the South Arctic, up the Pacific side of South America to Columbia. His vehicle was then shipped to Panama. From there, he traveled through Mexico, including the Baja region (or as Tony calls it “Rod Hall Country”). He traveled north to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, then back down to Indiana. The vehicle will be shipped back to Venezuela.

In 1996, he founded HUMMER Expeditions, a non-profit organization based in Venezuela. This “hobby” has taken him to the most challenging areas of Africa, Asia, Australia, North America and South America in an H1 to learn about the habitat and the inhabitants. He also finds and participates in extreme sports such as paragliding from Alaska’s Mt. McKinley, diving in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, hiking in the Himalayas, kayaking, rafting, and parachuting.

The trips help test sponsors’ products on the HUMMER. Recently that included anti-corrosion products and an engine cooler. He also helps raise money for several orphanages.

Velazquez, an entrepreneur with a background in international affairs, is a lifelong adventurer and seasoned expedition leader. He first learned about HUMMER in 1995 when he was preparing to drive from Venezuela to Prudhoe Bay. A friend had seen a HUMMER in Alberta, and shortly after Tony came to South Bend to discuss gaining AM General as a sponsor. AM General decided on the deal, which involved allowing a discount on a vehicle, prepping it for his unique expeditions, and doing a maintenance review upon return. Photos from his trips have appeared in HUMMER product literature, HUMMER Adventures magazines and many international publications.

His white 1996 wagon traveled nearly 150,000 miles before he traded it in for a used 2002 H1. AM General has outfitted this truck with new components like brakes, wiper arms and an alternator to help with their travels. For safety’s sake, it is bulletproofed and equipped with night vision, a satellite phone, email and a localizer. The vehicle can handle up to 4 tons of cargo (versus the standard payload of 3,146 lbs.). The roof rack holds 520 gallons
for drinking water, wash water, diesel fuel and two extra tires.

Each trip takes about 12-15 months to plan. Velazquez takes a navigator, video cameraman and a photographer. They become ambassadors for HUMMER, which is recognizable in all corners of the globe. It seems wherever they go, people ask “Are you Armold’s brother? Is this Arnold’s car?”

Upon arriving in Mishawaka, Velazquez presented Bill Thompson, AM General’s director of Fleet Sales and Commercial Services, with a plaque thanking the company for its sponsorship.

So what’s next for Tony and his team? In 2005, he hopes to conquer the Namibian Desert in Southwest Africa or possibly a trip to India. Eventually he hopes to take his HUMMER to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia.

AM General and General Motors in Military Marketing Agreement
DETROIT – AM General, manufacturer of the military Humvee and the civilian HUMMER H1 and H2, and General Motors Corporation executed an agreement covering the development of a marketing arrangement through which AM General would assume marketing and sales responsibility for military vehicles manufactured by General Motors Corporation.

GM offers three military support vehicles – the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD in either regular, extended or crew cab models, complete with a militarized Cargo/Troop Carrier, as the baseline configuration or upgraded for off-road with an enhanced mobility package. Sales of these vehicles in 2003 totaled nearly 1,700 units, primarily to U.S. and international military organizations.

“This agreement benefits both AM General and General Motors,” executives of the two companies said in a joint statement. “It leverages each company’s strengths and core competencies to broaden each company’s business base. “AM General has particular strengths in military applications and an in-depth knowledge in military procurement,” said Ed Peters, president of AM General Defense.

“GM brings its skills in the latest automotive technologies and large manufacturing operations,” said John Gaydash, director of marketing for GM’s Fleet and Commercial Operations. “Together, we are confident that we will raise this business to a new level.”

With the agreement, GM’s military-enhanced vehicles will be available for the first time on the General Services Administration’s schedule which makes it easier for all government agencies – military and non-military – to order these vehicles that have added capability over a regular-production Chevrolet Silverado.

AM General is a world-leader in the design, engineering, production and technical and parts support of military and special purpose vehicles and has the largest world distribution of all-purpose Standard Military Patterned vehicles. The HMMWV (High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle, pronounced Humvee) has been the mainstay truck of the U.S. military since 1985. AM General has produced more than 180,000 HMMWVs for the U.S. and more than 50 friendly international forces.

AM General also assembles HUMMER H2 vehicles for GM. GM owns the HUMMER brand name and is responsible for marketing and sales of both HUMMER H1 & H2 vehicles through its dealer network.

Military-specific equipment on the Silverado Cargo/Troop Carrier includes an M16/M14 weapons rack; NATO slave start receptacle; blackout lighting; heavy-duty front and rear bumpers; troop seats; front brush guard; front and rear tie-downs, making this vehicle certified for air transport; tow pintle hook and trailer-light hookup. The Enhanced Mobility Package adds equipment to the drivetrain, suspension system and underbody to operate in arduous road conditions.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 324,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks globally, up 4 percent and the second-highest total in the company's history. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

AM General, headquartered in South Bend, Ind., is a recognized world leader in the design, engineering, and production of military and special purpose vehicles, with a history of more than 50 years. It operates manufacturing facilities and an extensive parts, service and training operation in Mishawaka, Ind. The AM General Engineering and Product Development Center is located Livonia, Mich. It provides integrated logistics support and systems technical support for a variety of military systems in addition to the Humvee. More AM General information may be found at www.amgeneral.com.

HUMMER Brand Shows ‘Greatest Improvement’ In Recent JD Power Quality Results
SOUTH BEND – AM General received good news on May 18, 2005, when JD Power and Associates announced its latest quality results for 2005.

The HUMMER brand, which is owned by General Motors, was listed as the most improved brand in the industry in terms of quality. HUMMER H2 vehicles are assembled at AM General’s HUMMER H2 Assembly Plant in Mishawaka, Indiana.

HUMMER also jumped into the top 10 brands and was ranked with brands performing above the industry average. HUMMER led all brands with a 36 percent improvement, the best in the industry.

Since its debut in the 2003 JD Power IQS (Initial Quality Study), HUMMER has reduced reported problems by 115 problems per 100 vehicles. In the latest study, the industry average for problems per 100 vehicles is 118, one point lower than for 2004.

HUMMER came in at 110 problems per 100 vehicles, well below the average of 119 for its Luxury SUV Class. This compares to a 173 score last year…an improvement of 63 points. Of note was a 113 score for the HUMMER H2 SUT, which was considered a newly launched vehicle.

With the 110 score, HUMMER is breathing down the neck of several notable brands like Infinity, Audi and Toyota. It was tied for 10th with the Hyundai brand.


Overall, GM has performed well during the past year and has the highest number of segment leaders in its history at five. "The 2005 IQS results contain some genuinely good news for General Motors," said Chance Parker, executive director of product and research analysis at J.D. Power and Associates. "The improvements of the quality of several models and at their North American plants are both very positive signs.”

“This good news for HUMMER is a direct result of your hard work,” Kevin Rahrig, H2 Plant Manager, told employees. “All of our focused JD Power efforts throughout the plant during the past year have paid off!”

Rahrig challenged the workers for the coming year, reminding them that “continued improvement will be harder to come by after this big jump.”

IQS is a model-level study. It measures 135 attributes across nine categories, including ride/handling/braking, engine and transmission, and a broad range of quality problems reported by vehicle owners.

The 2005 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 62,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2005 model-year cars and trucks, who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership. This industry benchmark study for new-vehicle initial quality is now in its 19th year.

Complete details of the JD Power release can be found on the World Wide Web at JDPower.com.