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Hummer, the off-road vehicle that symbolized consumers’ obsession with power, finally hit an obstacle that it couldn’t overcome. General Motors Co. plans to shut down the iconic brand after Hummer’s sale to a Chinese heavy equipment maker collapsed Wednesday.

Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co. pulled out of the deal to buy Hummer after it failed to get clearance from Chinese regulators within the proposed time frame for the sale.

Jim Lynch, owner of Lynch Hummer in Chesterfield, said he was disappointed but not surprised that the deal fell through.

"The longer it took, the less likely it seemed it was going to happen," he said.

GM said it will continue to honor existing Hummer warranties.

"GM will now work closely with Hummer employees, dealers and suppliers to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner," said John Smith, GM vice president of corporate planning and alliances.

Lynch’s dealership will remain in business after he sells the final 13 Hummers in his inventory. He will continue to service the vehicles under GM warranties and plans to expand his line of winches, roof racks and other equipment for off-road driving.

Lynch also plans to continue selling firearms, which he added to his product lineup last summer when sales of gas-gulping Hummers waned.

Lynch has sold Hummers for 15 years from locations in St. Louis and St. Charles counties. He opened his current location in 2005.

He might move again, depending on the level of sales of firearms and outdoor equipment.

"We may have to downsize to a smaller facility," Lynch said cash advance.

GM has been trying to sell the loss-making brand for the last year and signed a deal with Tengzhong in October. However, resistance from Chinese regulators, who have been putting the brakes on investment in the fast-growing Chinese auto industry, created difficulties from the start.

GM spokesman Nick Richards said the automaker would still hear last-minute bids for the brand.

"In the early phases of the wind-down, we’ll entertain offers and determine their viability, but that will have to happen in pretty short order," he said.

Hummer, which traces its origins to the Humvee military vehicle built by AM General LLC in South Bend, Ind., acquired a devoted following among SUV lovers who were drawn to the off-road ready vehicles.

But they drew scorn from environmentalists, and sales never recovered after gasoline prices spiked above $4 a gallon in the summer of 2008.

Sales peaked at 71,524 in 2006. But in December 2009, only 325 Hummers were sold, down 85 percent from the previous year, according to Autodata Corp.

Sticker prices start at more than $42,500 and run to about $63,000, according to data posted at the Hummer.com website.

The H3, the most fuel-efficient vehicle in Hummer’s lineup, averages about 16 mpg. The vehicles are built at GM’s factory in Shreveport, La.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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