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"It's the end of the line for General Motors' Hummer brand.  GM has announced it will wind down operations...  In 2009, GM sold just 9,000 of the SUVs, a 67 percent drop from a year earlier." (France24)

General Motors is planning to halt production of Hummer SUVs after a deal to sell the brand to a Chinese company fell through.  Some say Hummer was doomed by the increased popularity of green vehicles, but others point to a shift in social values.

We're looking at perspectives from CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, BBC News, and The Daily Beast.

When the possibility of a sale was first announced in 2008, CBS News said soaring gas prices and environmental concerns were at the root of Hummer's problems.

"With predictions that gas could soar up to $6 a gallon, even having California's movie star governor driving one of your vehicles isn't enough to keep Hummer cool.  While Hummer was once the must-have celebrity car here in Hollywood, today it's cool to be green."

Now two years later, Hummer is the auto-orphan who can't find a home. 

A reporter for The Wall Street Journal says the Chinese government nixed the deal for the same reason--it's all about the green.

"I think, you know, from the first moment this deal was mooted there was some doubts that it would go through.  China's got an overall policy of trying to move to more green-type vehicles and really Hummer doesn't fit with that."

BBC News says Hummer's symbolism is its real downfall--that's because its image is almost worse than its gas mileage.

"Large gas-guzzlers are increasingly being shunned by frugal, environmentally aware, or simply fashion conscious punters eager to downsize their modes of transport... The Hummer makes its owners look distinctly out of touch with the current public mood."

On The Daily Beast, one writer says America's rejection of the Hummer stems from something deeper than keeping up appearances--it signifies a turning point in American culture.

"Being big and powerful is essential to our national identity. But we’ve grown somewhat embarrassed of some of this largeness... The demise of the Hummer looks like more than the end of an automotive brand. It looks like the start of an age when we need to measure ourselves afresh."

GM says it will continue to honor Hummer warranties and hopes to find other work for 3,000 soon-to-be jobless employees.

Writer: Tracy Pfeiffer

Producer: Newsy Staff