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...Waggoner considering selling/dropping the Hummer line (http://news.columbian.com/business/APStories/AP06032008news324416.cfm)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Hummer_H22.jpgTom Krishner - AP - June 2, 2008

Hummer H2 - So heavy the EPA doesn't give it a fuel economy rating.

Incredible that GM is considering getting rid of the Hummer - Ed

General Motors is closing four truck and SUV plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico as surging fuel prices hasten a dramatic shift to smaller vehicles.

CEO Rick Wagoner said Tuesday before the automaker's annual meeting in Delaware the plants to be closed are in Oshawa, Ontario; Moraine, Ohio; Janesville, Wis.; and Toluca, Mexico. He also said the iconic Hummer brand may be discontinued.

Wagoner said the GM board has approved production of a new small Chevrolet car at a plant in Lordstown, Ohio, in mid-2010 and the Chevy Volt electric vehicle in Detroit.
rth… http://news.columbian.com/business/APStories/AP06032008news324416.cfm

Well this sucks for a bunch of GM employees, but overall it is a sure sign that demand destruction really is starting. GM is shutting down 35% of their truck/SUV production - that is huge. I really hope the volt does what they say it will (40mile electriconly, 150mpg gas). Ill buy one...

Here's to $4/gallon! Maybe America is starting to wake up? Naw, that is a bit much to hope for...

Hi Chuck and Jaral:

___Unfortunately, I do not think the same idea is working at Ford. I gave a presentation at McDonald’s HQ’s this afternoon and before me was a Ford marketing rep. The Q&A was all the softball stuff about lack of packs for the FEH and … Anyway, I asked about the upcoming Fiesta’s ICE and he said Ford is placing their resources in ECOBoosting the 3.5L rather than spend a lot of resources on the Fiesta. Makes sense in some respects but a Cross-over that is ECOBoosted at 25 mpg still means bankruptcy in my book.

___Back on topic … GM’s insiders talking about the upcoming 1.4L DI and Turbo’ed compact ICE coming our way is a faster step in the right direction but it will not make a dent in the 30 +% loss in P/U truck and SUV sales/profits let alone jobs?

___On a similar note, the Prius must have had a supply problem as its sales were off over 39% last month compared to the same month a year ago? That was definitely unexpected and I am still looking for the reasons given the lack of supply on dealership lots just recently?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Well this sucks for a bunch of GM employees, but overall it is a sure sign that demand destruction really is starting. GM is shutting down 35% of their truck/SUV production - that is huge. I really hope the volt does what they say it will (40mile electriconly, 150mpg gas). Ill buy one...

Here's to $4/gallon! Maybe America is starting to wake up? Naw, that is a bit much to hope for...

I wish GM all the best in getting the Volt to market. However, with the cost of the Volt projected to be $40,000.00 I wonder who will be able to afford one. It's going to be a hard sell even with high gas prices when the label says Chevy for that price.

No wonder GM was reported to be lobbying Congress for a tax rebate of up to $6000.00 for the purchase of one of these cars. I can't say that I entirely approve of that use of tax dollars but if it was good for the Hummer H2 single-occupant land barge than it should be good for the Volt too.

Personally, if it was up to me, I would buy one too for the all-electric range on the car. I hope it would start up the on-board ICE genset rarely.

___On a similar note, the Prius must have had a supply problem as its sales were off over 39% last month compared to the same month a year ago? That was definitely unexpected and I am still looking for the reasons given the lack of supply on dealership lots just recently?


Toyota has slowed production. The dealers knew this back in early April. The salesman told me that when this happens, they will be less likely to deal on them, and that also the price would be increasing slightly. Both of these have come to fruition. IMO, they will be changing production over for the next gen Prius. :woot:

Sad news for a lot of GM employees -- but a necessary move if GM is to avoid becoming like the buggy-whip makers that tried to put it out of business 100 years ago.