GMC Hummer EV reveal delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic

• All-electric Hummer was set to make its debut on May 20 in Las Vegas
• Carmaker says Hummer EV will still go on sale in international markets in late 2021 as previously stated
• EV to develop a claimed 1,014hp and 15,592Nm of torque

The debut of the new GMC Hummer EV, the first in a line of premium electric SUVs and pick-ups to use the revived badge, has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

American automotive giant General Motors (GM) confirmed earlier this year that it would resurrect the Hummer name (last used in 2009) at an event in Las Vegas on May 20, 2020. But that event has now been postponed to an as-yet-unspecified date.

However, GM said the Hummer remains "on track" to go on sale in autumn 2021, saying in a statement that "development work continues on track and undeterred." It added, "Even as we work to help flatten the curve, our mission to build the first ever GMC Hummer EV remains the same."

The Hummer eSUV will arrive under the GMC brand with a claimed 1,014hp and 15,592Nm of torque and be capable of 0-96kph in 3sec. Few other details are known about the new model but it is promised to deliver "incredible on- and off-road capability".

GMC vice president Duncan Aldred said, "GMC builds premium and capable trucks and SUVs. The GMC Hummer EV takes this to new heights.”

The new model will be built at General Motors' Detroit-Hamtramck factory in Michigan.

GM is investing USD 7.7 billion (Rs 57,775.02 crore, approx.) into preparing its US factories for the shift to electrification over the next four years, with the Detroit-Hamtramck facility being upgraded at a cost of USD 3 billion (Rs 22,509.75 crore, approx.) to produce electric trucks and vans.

The large EVs will sit atop a new skateboard-style chassis, similar to that of start-up company Rivian, which combines motors and batteries for cheaper production costs. Around 80,000 units per year are expected to be produced.

The first model, currently known as Project O, is expected to be followed by a hardcore performance version in 2022.

Production of the iconic Hummer H2 and smaller H3 ended in 2009, as GM eyed a return to profit following a high-profile bankruptcy announcement.

The new electric pick-up is likely to be priced to compete with the Rivian RS1 and could beat Tesla’s long-awaited truck to market.