GM to discontinue Hummer brand? And close more plants

Now surely there a vehicles much more fuel efficient than the Hummer H2 right? Of course. So many in fact that we haven't seen an H2 actually driving on the road in well over 3 weeks. I caught wind of this little quote in an article released by the Associated Press this morning. GM CEO Rick Wagoner has announced the closing of 4 more GM plants in the United States and Mexico.

This is in efforts to save GM an additional $1 billion a year by 2010. By 2010 GM is hoping to have cut costs by $15 billion a year. The plants affected are Oshawa, Ontario; Moraine, Ohio; Janesville, Wis.; and Toluca, Mexico. The closing of these plants eliminates 2500 jobs, but in an act of good faith. They can return later this year thanks to 19,000 buyouts and early retirments that will leave towards the end of 2008.

Now what caugt me, was the mention of GM discontinuing the Hummer brand. It's mentioned by GM, but is not quoted anywhere in the article by Rick Wagoner. Of course it's no surprise since gas is nearly $5 a gallon in parts of the country. And the shift to smaller, economical cars is permanent said Wagoner.

But what about Hummer? You'd figure if the CEO actually dropped this bomb in an interview with MSN that there would be a quote in there somewhere outlying the fate of Hummer. So who knows how much truth there is to the article other than the plant closings, confirmation of high gas prices, and yet another confirmation that we'll see the Chevy Volt in 2010. We'll keep following this one til we get some answers. In the meantime, here's the article. Read it and draw your on conclusions as to how AP missed this one.

Source: MSN

Full Article

Chevy Volt Teaser Shot

Here's a teaser shot out of General Motors today. Gives you an idea of what the Volt production car will look like, but without giving too much away.

GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz vowed at the Los Angeles Auto Show that the Volt project is working at full steam ahead. This is all in order to have the Volt in production by the end of the decade. He also announced that we will start seeing driveable prototypes on the road as early as spring of 08.

I like what I'm seeing from this teaser shot. The styling follows along the lines of Chevrolet's current line up. The grille work reminds me of the new Malibu. You can also make out the low sleek roofline carried over from the concept Volt.

More info as it becomes available.

Source: GM

Chevrolet Volt in production by 2010!

Yup. We heard it right. Direct from Bob Lutz's mouth to our ears. At the Reuters Auto Summit in Detroit Mr. Lutz announced that a production version of the Volt concept car will be in production by the end of 2010.

Though it will not look anything like the concept car. The first test of the Volt will come by Easter of 2008. Which is a polite way of saying we have testing prototypes built and ready to go, or at least very close.

GM's hopes are to move above Toyota in the marketplace. Toyota is currently the industry leader in the "Green" market. GM currently has two suppliers for the lithium-ion batteries working overtime to further enhance the durability and performance of the batteries.


Sounds very exciting to see this much development. Especially when the concept was just unveiled at Detroit in January 07. This should definitely have Toyota standing on their toes.


Source: Reuters