DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. is getting closer to approving the production of a third vehicle in its Hummer product line. The automaker would like to put a sport utility vehicle that's smaller, lighter, less expensive and more fuel-efficient than the Hi and H2 into circulation by the middle of this decade. The H3 is expected to be a steel-body vehicle built off GM's intermediate truck platform, which means it probably will be big enough for four or five people. There also are rumors circulating here that the H3 might not be built for GM by its outside Hummer supplier, AM General Corp., but at one of GM's own truck assembly plants. Spokesmen for the big automaker wouldn't comment on this rumor or any other reports involving the next SUV in the Hummer stable.

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