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

Is Ford signaling the end of the mighty Crown Vic?

The Detroit News announced today that Ford has plans to close their Ontario, Canada factory, by the end of 2010. The factory in St. Thomas is home to the Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car.

Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) president, Buzz Hargrove, told the Detroit News that, "There's nothing we can do to save St. Thomas."

The St. Thomas factory has made some glorious Ford vehicles in the past. From the firetacular Pinto, to the almost world car Escort. The 2.6 million square foot facility employs 2,400 people.

While it would be shame to see the Crown Vic, Grand Marquis and Town Car go on to that parking lot in the sky. These fall into that same category of cars that the old Taurus did. For really did nothing to the cars to keep them up to date. Other than very minor upgrades over the past few years, the cars themselves have not changed much cosmetically in the last 10 years. There was also Ford's "Late to the game" Mercury Marauder which was the answer to the Chevrolet Impala SS that went out of production in 1996, which also put GM out of the cop car game.

What Ford REALLY needs to do is revamp the Crown Victoria into a true modern rear wheel drive platform. If GM can develop a hybrid system that can move a heavyweight like the Escalade around, Ford can do the same to the Crown Vic. Having a hybrid system would do wonders for both police use and as taxi cabs.

Source: Detroit News.