The Hummer EV continues the exterior aesthetic of what was once a brutal, utilitarian vehicle and now features a quiet electrified powertrain and one of the most luxurious interiors fitted to an SUV. Only prepared for left-hand drive markets, Auto Group International now offers a conversion of the American model for local roads. The company, which specializes in American SUVs, pickup trucks and muscle cars, has converted more than 4,500 vehicles over the past thirty years in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 Quality Assurance, which ensures a standard comparable to that of a model rolling off the production line. . Rob Hill – CEO Autogroup International, states that a number of factory orders have already been earmarked for local roads and that the first Hummer EV has been completed and will arrive in the coming months.
Related: Too Much Power? There’s no such thing in a Hummer…
So what’s the catch? First, the animal would have to undergo the conversion. Second is the shipping time which can take several months if port delays occur, and third is the cost. The entire conversion will set potential buyers back $185,000 to receive it at the port (approximately R3.5 million). That’s what it takes to be one of the first to own one of the few right-hand drive Hummer EVs ever to hit the market. In its home country, the price of a Hummer EV SUV starts just under $80,000 and can go up to around $107,000. The prohibitive cost of what will likely be a scarce sight locally is due to the custom work completed to make it a right-hand drive car. requires it to be shipped to Autogroup International’s facility in Sri Lanka and then again to its final location.
“Our right-hand drive Hummer EV SUVs are already in production and build on our success with the Ford F-150 Lightning EV pickup. We have been the trusted partner for right-hand drive vehicle conversion worldwide for three decades, yet we have never seen so many pre-orders for a new vehicle platform” – Autogroup International.
The final cost of $185,000 is for the port, including final transportation costs and internal taxes. Now that GMC is no longer operating in South Africa, the Hummer EV’s factory warranty is also void, but Autogroup International says it offers a full warranty on all its right-hand drive conversions.
Related: The future of overlanding? Hummer EV gets the EarthCruiser treatment
As the first example arrives in South Africa, here’s a recap of the iconic model that has now evolved into a fully electric car. The emission-free behemoth EV 3 (3 motors) last appeared on the local market 13 years ago and can sprint to 100 km/h from a standstill in 3.5 seconds and has a range of more than 500 km thanks to the permanent magnet motors used in capable of 619 kW and 15,600 Nm combined total torque.
Browse more than 26,000 new and used cars here with CARmag.