Ever flip through ESPN 8 on the weekends or while out at a taco bar and see those crazy strongman competitions? Where giant, Nordic men with names containing no vowels lift tree trunks and automobiles for 100 ft? Well Hummer has noticed and is not only sponsoring these competitions, but donating their H3 for the strong boys to tug, lift and bench press.

From HUMMER’s Press Release:

HUMMER Adds Muscle to 2008 OZ Strongman Contest

Australia’s strongest men will go head-to-head in the name of the iconic HUMMER brand for the national OZ Strongman title this weekend.

For the first time ever, HUMMER will support the OZ Strongman Nationals – a contest which pits man against machine in the fight for the Australian title.

More than 38 athletes from around Australia will compete in six disciplines at Chandler Velodrome in Brisbane on Sunday 9 November, events which include pushing a rugged HUMMER H3 up to 30 metres.

Competitors from three classes – Light, Middle and Heavy Weight – will battle it out in world-famous weight challenges designed to test strength, speed, power and endurance.
Special guests will feature throughout the day-long event, including local radio identity Shauny Wilson, International IPF Champion Scott Fletcher and international strongman Warrick Brant.

OZ Strongman Managing Director Chris Andrews said HUMMER’s dynamic reputation makes it the perfect partner for the National Championship.

“It makes perfect sense to combine the strengths of the HUMMER brand and the OZ Strongman Championship,” he said.

“Like the HUMMER H3, our competitors thrive in a challenging environment, have enormous endurance and look pretty powerful too.”

Already hurting is the once mighty HUMMER name tag. This summer, the nations first and largest Hummer Dealership closed its doors. More recently, General Motors has spoken to “interested parties” in a bid to try and sell the Big H name plate off.

Although actual merger talks between Chrysler (parent company Cerberus) and GM have been put on hold (thanks to our horrendous economy), both were discussing it for almost a month before someone leaked this rumor. And with any company crossover, someone is going to get cut. It’s not like there’s going to be a Chrysler Dodge Jeep Buick Hummer GMC Chevrolet Pontiac Cadillac dealership popping up in your town anytime soon.

Hummer still appeals to the truck and off-roading fans in North America. However, sales are down, way down. But reviews of the H2 and H3 remain positive – as long as the critic takes the vehicle for what it is. Hummer probably won’t survive as a GM name, with or without any major merger. But if they want to survive as a high end SUV and truck maker, better gas mileage, new designs and a hybrid vehicle need to be put into work. At the same time, Hummer needs to keep their rough and tumble edge that fans enjoy. It’s a hard balance for anyone who decides to purchase the H tag.

Looking at Hummer’s H3T micro site, Hummer takes its off-road, adventurous appeal to a whole new level. Hummer markets the vehicle as being versatile for fun seekers offering those a chance to experience the most out of their Hummer. Some would argue, this is a slight shift from its original branding strategy. In most cases, driving a Hummer comes with an idealistic status of wealth, while still encompassing toughness and reliability. The H3T takes on a whole new idea of function and flexibility. Not only does the new brand appeal to those searching for a vehicle to fit multiple lifestyles, it still embodies the same off road aggressiveness.

The micro site allows users to interact with the H3T with the vehicle’s function as the main selling point. It invites users to experience the options of outdoor activities such as camping, boating, kayaking, biking, use of outdoor motor sports and more. When does the image of a new vehicle ever feature the rear of it?

The new H3T really puts a different dimension into the Hummer brand. Now, pickup drivers can have luxurious comfort with rugged appeal in the pickups truck class. This new model will attract many buyers who never would have considered Hummer as an option. It really is the best of both worlds.

In Four Wheeler’s review, it claims the truck will be a contender for PickUp of the Year and is “one to beat when it comes to trail work.” After taking it through their bolder course, positive feedback is as certain as its toughness. GM’s true test will come in the fall.

But believe it or not, there are still hundreds if not THOUSANDS of proud Hummer owners that should never be disappointed with their massive machine. So as the world continues to talk about what the Hummer can’t do, let’s not forget the many benefits of a Hummer:

1. Ability to host family reunions in your back seat.

2. Sprawl out and practice your snow angel form before you go out for the real thing.

3. Hospitalized children can enjoy the luxurious perks of spacious design at a tender young age.

4. There aren’t many real civilian “road rage rivals” out there. That’s right, even buses move aside for the road king.

5. And finally, we all know why Hummers are so strong. Their ethnic back ground contains half Godzilla.