Automobile manufacturers are selling more than just cars.
Hummer, a General Motors company, also sells boots, slippers, bicycles and many other products with the Hummer name.
The Hummer footwear line, a division of EJ Footwear, includes
everything from quality dress shoes to casual, hand sewn and
performance
footwear, to outdoor boots, said a press release from the company.
“Hummer is a distinctive brand with a very strong identity in the
market,” said Mark Robinson, creative director of Thompson & Company, the company that markets the shoes. EJ Footwear has done a remarkable job of capturing the brands authenticity in the Footwear.
The boots can be purchased on hummerstuff.com for between $100 to $150.
The Web site also markets bicycles, guitars, apparel and many other products.
Lisa Chrisman, an employee of Burston Marketing, the licensed
retailer of the Hummer products, said that the boots were very popular.
Students’ reactions to these products varied.
Heather Joachim, an elementary education junior, was skeptical about the motives behind these products.
“It seems like a scheme to make an extra buck,” Joachim said. “I
don’t understand why a car company needs to make shoes. People probably will buy them though, but I never would.”
Other students were more enthusiastic about the Hummer products.
“A Hummer is such a rugged, manly car, so Hummer boots are
probably rugged and manly too,” said construction management freshman Kyle Fabian. “I can’t afford a Hummer, but I could get those shoes. That kind of allows you to have a Hummer and not pay a ton of money.”
Another car company that sells a surprising product is Jaguar.
The luxury car manufacturer is also the maker of men’s and
women’s fragrance.
An employee of Dillard’s in the Mall of Louisiana said that the
most popular of the Jaguar fragrances were for men, “Pure Instinct” and for women, “Jaguar Woman.” She also said the 1.4 ounce bottle retails for about $50.
“I’ve been wearing “Jaguar Woman” for a few years,” said Martha Pearson, a general business sophomore. “It is a reasonably priced perfume and has such a crisp, fresh smell, hints of flowers and citrus.”
Fabian said he would buy the Hummer boots over the Jaguar
cologne.
“I really like the idea of Hummer boots and I am going to buy them for sure,” Fabian said.
Many students were not aware that many of these products existed.
“I had no idea about the Hummer boots and bicycles or about the Jaguar perfume,” Joachim said. “I think they are both pretty ridiculous, though. I don’t see why anyone would ever want to buy this stuff. When car companies are making shoes and cosmetics, who knows what is next?”
Auto manufacturers break into unconventional products
May 5, 2004