AM General Hummer

AM General Keeps on Truckin'

DETROIT - Hummers will be more surefooted than ever in 1999, thanks to AM General's new traction-control system and antilock brakes. While traction control is nothing new to the auto world, the feature is unusual for a vehicle in the Hummer's weight class.

The trucks also receive a new price tag this year, pushing the base Hummer up to $65,732, with the top-of-the-line model reaching $82,421.

Other changes to the Hummer for the coming year include an improved electrical system, the addition of 10 new powerpoints, more illuminated instrument panel switches, upgraded key remote, simplified wiring and finer windshield defrost wires. To quiet the vehicle's hum even more, AM General remounted the fuel pump.

Stylistically, the Hummer will look the same. "We haven't changed the Hummer since its introduction," said Bill Thompson, Fleet Sales Director for AM General, "And we're not about to." They will, however, change the color palette by adding two new shades: Mesa Dusk and Night Storm.