Based on the US Army’s Military High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (MMWV or Hum-Vee), the Hummer is the layman’s answer to a tiny tank and its off-road capabilities are more than awe-inspiring.

The original version of this behemoth of automobiles was contracted by the US military and came resplendent with gun turrets and radar; additions that could arguably come in handy in particularly dodgy areas like the ‘Gang Capital of the Nation’, Los Angeles and the Bronx in New York City.

The military weren’t that convinced as to the efficacy of a vehicle in ‘full metal jacket’ and adapted it to be an even more brutish combatant – including a directional microwave crowd control beam!

However, the greater public only became aware of the Hummer when, in a publicity stunt, two of these veritable Goliaths travelled overland from London to Beijing, handling the rough and virtually impassable tracks of central Russia with ease.

But it was Operation Desert Storm in 1991 that really got car pundits breathing heavily and rushing off to their closest car dealer in an effort to claim one of these highway bullies for themselves.

In the late 90’s, GM acquired the brand from the AM General Corporation and, although the latter would still build the Hummer cars, it was up to General Motors to market and distribute the range world-wide.

Interestingly, the H3, a sporty variant of the original Hummer, has been manufactured in Port Elizabeth, South Africa’s answer to Detroit. Although many of the vehicles were destined for the international market, locals have been buying both new and used Hummer cars like proverbial ‘hot cakes’ – so much so that there is a two-month waiting list.

Although the ‘Testosterone Tribe’ may very well be enthralled by the beast, it has proven to be an ecological disaster with very poor fuel economy. So, boys, if the Hummer is your dream SUV, make for the Marines as its future will be decided on 31 March 2009…and it might not be a rosy one. The options are to sell the brand, re-design the entire production line or simply to discontinue this mercenary of motor vehicles.

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Used cars are amazing alternatives to buying new because it allows you to consider your dream cars without having to consider their off the factory line price. It is estimated that in the first six months of being manufactured a car, depending on the make and model, will lose between thirty and fifty percent of its value. Now if you are the original owner, this is a hefty blow to your net worth, however if you are a savvy pre-owned shopper this is a huge benefit. Take our friend who loves the E class as an example. Sure, he doesn’t have fifty thousand dollars to spend on a car, but if he buys used he could get an E class from two or three years ago for closer to almost half the price. Now that is a significant price cut that brings the unattainable Mercedes to a more affordable level.

It’s no secret that a car loses value the minute it leaves the manufacturer, yet it is a major puzzle why more people don’t appreciate that fact. The focus is always on how much the new models cost and how unaffordable they are, instead of the fact that in about twelve months those same cars will be available for cheap. You can find used cars online, at used car dealers, and many other places where new cars are significantly more expensive.

Thanks to services like used vehicle reports that show the history of the car and company-certified programs, you can safely buy a used car without fear that you are getting a lemon. Truthfully, buying a car – especially an expensive car – used is a much safer investment than purchasing it right off the assembly line. Why? Because if a car has a bad part or has faulty engineering, you are going to find out within the first twelve to twenty-four months after spending a fortune to buy it new. Buying used cars gives you the option of reviewing not only the specific vehicle’s report but also the trends and reviews of the model and generation in general. Things like a flawed air cooling system or power train can need big bucks to fix.

With these major benefits of cost and hindsight, it seems like anyone who buys new is just asking for some kind of disappointment. When it comes to cars, you should have one that gets you where you need to go, one that is safe, and one that you love driving. After all, unless you are a millionaire you will probably be driving this one car day in and day out for the next two to five years. Don’t save your pennies for a new car, save a few less and opt for a pre-owned one. Used cars will allow you to have your Mercedes and drive it, too!

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Used car business has been here since the start of auto industry. Japan started mass production of automotives for private as well as commercial use between 1940-1950, but the actual history is much older since 1911. Used Japanese cars became popular in late 1970’s when Toyota and Nissan emerged as global leaders in the car making industry. There have been constant demand since then, because compactness and fuel efficiency were the major factors for the popularity in Japanese cars.

In early 70’s Japanese cars appeared on the roads outside of Japan. Did you not see a toy-looking small bluebird parked beside your family’s Chevy or Buick, what a funny sight was that. But now these Japanese manufacturers putting greatest efforts in becoming the legend and preferring customers’ needs on top of everything. This is purely Japanese tradition and proved great results in open market. Now Honda, Subaru, Suzuki, Hino, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Daihatsu are biggest names in automobile manufacturers of the world. Infact these names are the soul names for best value your money can guarantee.

Japan is now leader in the technology of internal combustion engines, and growing more faster to Hybrid vehicles. These hybrid vehicles are now very popular and are even used as taxies. A Hybrid vehicle has both powers, an internal combustion engine + batteries which are supposedly used in idling and when the car does not require mush power. Not contented with hybrids, Japanese makers have rapidly shifted their attention towards more eco friendly cars with 0% CO2 emission. Nissan will launch their first Electric vehicle from 2010 autumn, with 50,000 units from USA & Japan. Mazda is also busy in making hydro powered engines, which will run on water.

Did you ever imagine that maybe after 10years internal combustion engine cars may disappear from our roads and who knows that after 20years one will see them in classic car showrooms or museums? Well nothing is for sure these days, it’s a wild race getting wilder with the passage of time.

Used Japanese cars are available in every corner of the world but majority of the customers are always interested in JDM (Japan Domestic Models). For some poor countries this huge influx of cheap Japanese used cars have ruined their infra-structure, and to great astonishment some countries even Russia have imposed severe bans on imports of used cars from Japan. The growing demand for Japan Domestic Model Used Cars is ever increasing, and truly speaking it has uplifted and upgraded the status of many from around the world.

Lila Ivanova is a freelance writer.

Japanese used cars.

Japan Auto Auctions

Japan Bus Exporter