US automakers are "deserving" of $50 billion in loans?

Lutz claims Big 3 "deserving" of $50 billion in loan guarantees

I want the Chevy Volt to succeed. I want the Big 3 to survive, but I want them to survive because they are solid, quality businesses. But are they?

'We make what consumers want,' the Big 3 have maintained, as their market share has perpetually declined as millions of consumers switched to more fuel efficient vehicles from the likes of Honda and Toyota.

And while hybrids didn't make sense to US automakers, despite tax payer funding, Toyota turned their hybrid cars into a long term business model, even though "nobody could have foreseen $4.00 gas prices."

Perhaps the Big 3 are deserving of these loans, but aren't the American people also deserving of some honest accountability? Some real responsibility?

Fuel economy: Double jeopardy for tax payers?

Just let Congress manage our economy?

Yesterday, I blogged on how the city of Flint is providing millions in tax breaks to GM to help fund the Chevy Volt, and GM is also seeking millions from the state as well. Likewise, GM is also requesting part of $50 billion in low interest, government backed loans to help in the conversion to vehicles with better fuel economy, such as smaller vehicles and hybrid cars. And, when GM finally starts selling the Volt, it will probably need large tax incentives for consumers in order to make these vehicles affordable.

And, if Ford and Chrysler ever develop real plans to address fuel economy, they'll need just as much help.

Yet, the pain doesn't stop there. Automakers claim that CAFE will increase the price of all vehicles significantly. Thus, not only are tax payers committing billions in loans and tax breaks to Detroit, they're also going to have to pay more for the products their tax dollars are helping to fund.

Without doubt, US automakers provide great jobs for many Americans, but how did things get so screwed up? More important, can the US auto industry really be saved, or are we just delaying the inevitable?

City of Flint to help fund Chevy Volt. Next?

How much will those outside GM pay to fund the Volt?

GM needs a massive amount of money, or at least extremely cheap, government backed loans, to make the Chevy Volt a reality. But in addition to the Feds, the City of Flint has now committed millions in tax breaks to GM to help build a new plant for the Volt in Flint, despite the fact that many in Flint have already lost GM jobs. GM is also seeking millions from the state of Michigan as well. And, just to top it off, Congress will almost certainly provide tax credits for plug-in hybrids like the Volt as well.

Is this all a necessary evil? Is it not even evil, but standard for the auto industry? Is it just another example of the sad state of the US auto industry?

Can a company like Tesla become a player?

Has it already changed the auto industry?

GM's car guru, Bob Lutz, has stated that Tesla was a factor in the decision to move aggressively towards the Chevy Volt. Thus, if not for Tesla, would there even be a Volt?

Possibly, but without doubt, Tesla motivated GM to move faster towards vehicles such as the Volt. But back to Tesla.

Thus far, the automaker has over-promised and under delivered, though there are signs the company has turned a corner with deliveries finally reaching some consumers. Still, making a few thousand cars per year is far different than making hundreds of thousands per year.

Even if a company such as Tesla perfects its technology and manufacturing, can such an automaker become a major US automaker? Or is a buy out the only future for such companies?

GM's future: A convergence of synergies

Volt and Cruze will share engines

There has been a lot of buzz about GM's commitment to the Chevy Cruze, a small vehicle that could achieve 40 mpg on the highway.

I know. I know.

Highway fuel economy is far over-rated. The real question is, can this car get 30 mpg in the city?

Still, I don't want to hammer or to focus on the Cruze. It's a step in the right direction, but it's more than a step. The direct-injected, turbo-boosted engine that will power the Cruze, will be the same engine that powers the Chevy Volt. Likewise, it might also power the Vue - the same Vue that will soon come in a dual mode hybrid version and a plug-in hybrid version.

Finish: GM's future - A convergence of synergies

BorgWarner to help GM on EVs?

Ready to make transmissions for the Volt?

The CEO of BorgWarner was just on a CNBC segment titled 'Turbocharging the Auto Industry'. While discussing various technologies for improving fuel economy, the CEO also addressed technologies for hybrid cars and electric vehicles. During this part of the interview, the CEO said the company was on the verge of a major announcement regarding EV transmissions for range extended EVs.

Thus far, the only OEM close to needing such transmissions is GM for the Chevy Volt. Of course, the CEO didn't say, but GM seems the most likely recipient of such transmissions. Since the first editions of the Volt are going to be quite expensive as there are no suppliers for many major parts, adding a new member to the supply chain would be great news.

The Chrysler, Ford and Chevy Volt?

America's hybrid?

According to Reuters Chrysler views manufacturing alliances with other automakers as the key to Chrylser's success. And, if fuel economy remains a significant factor for American consumers, Chrysler's alliance with GM on dual mode hybrid vehicles will only increase in importance.

Might this lead to an alliance with GM and its E Flex technology that will power the Chevy Volt? Considering that Chrysler showed off a similar range extended EV technology concept at the last Detroit Auto Show, such a move seems quite plausible.

Likewise, there are rumors coming out of Ford, which currently licenses hybrid technology from Toyota, about a possible licensing agreement with GM on the Volt's E Flex technology.

Obviously, such alliances would be great for GM, but would they make sense for Ford and Chrysler as well? Considering each company's approach to hybrids thus far, such a move seems very real. And, it would probably simplify things for US auto suppliers.

Volt's aerodynamic design means 80 cent charges

Latest picture of Chevy Volt's front end

Several months ago, much to the surprise of GM engineers, it was realized that reducing aerodynamic drag, rather than shedding some pounds, was going to be the key to the Chevy Volt's ability to achieve 40 miles of pure electricity. After months of wind tests and modeling, the Volt's design is almost complete and GM is showing off some design elements on the GMNext site.

Anyway, GM is hosting an open chat with GM's chief Volt designer, Bob Boniface on August 19 at 3:00 PM. Click here to register.

Also, check out this Volt video covering issues like charging costs and more. GM figures it will cost $.80 cents per day for 40 miles of electricity.

When is the Volt a game changer?

GM's lithium battery pack continues to pass benchmarks

For all intents and purposes, GM's Chevy Volt is on schedule for its originally promised 2010 launch, according to the latest reports coming out of the AP. Issues are still being resolved, but everything is following expected timelines. So, does that legitimate the Volt as a game changer?

If everything goes perfectly well, GM could be producing 100,000 Volts per year by 2012 or 2013. Would that make that Volt a game changer?

When does GM's Chevy Volt become a legitimate game changer, or is it already a game changer?

Watch Bob Lutz drive the Volt

Bob Lutz at the Volt's debut

Tomorrow night CNBC will air the documentary "Saving GM", which includes Bob Lutz test driving a Chevy Volt 'mule' - a Volt underneath a Malibu body - back in May. I saw one these 'mules' back in April, and if you hate GM and think the Volt is vaporware, then I'm sure that this documentary, and a Volt-mule, won't change your mind. For hopeful believers, this documentary should be worth watching.

Ford interested in Volt technology?

Forget the HySeries?

There is an interesting report coming out of Detroit regarding talks between GM and Ford regarding advanced powertrain collaboration. While some at Ford have already dismissed the reports, rumors persist that Ford is interested in GM's Chevy Volt and its E Flex technology.

Already Ford licenses technology for its hybrid cars from Toyota, a move which brought Ford into the hybrid game early, but the company has yet to be a real hybrid player. Could licensing Volt technology really offer anything better?

Production ready Volt by Labor Day?

Ready for a facial?

In the last week GM has announced that the next generation of Chevy Volt test vehicles would soon hit the road, meaning many Volt components and subsystems will be assembled together for the first time. "More chassis, brakes, batteries and other components that affect ride and handling," will finally hit the road AutoWeek reported.

Likewise, GM has also opened a new 450,000 powertrain center designed to bring vehicles such as the Volt to market faster and cheaper. The move could help save GM $200 million this year alone while shaving months off of powertrain development.

And yesterday, GM finalized plans for a $326 million 530,000 square foot Flint, MI plant to build the Volt.

Thus, according to all reports, the Volt is firmly on schedule for a 2010 launch, and a near production-ready Volt could be shown to GM employees as early as September, followed by either a public debut at the LA or Detroit Auto Shows. While great news for the Volt Nation, it would be really shocking if all this momentum was translated into more aggressive production plans - now that would be a statement.

2010: Year of the plug-in hybrid conversion?

A Plug-in hybrid converted by A123Systems

In 2010 a number of plug-in hybrids will be hitting the streets of America. GM plans to launch both the Saturn Vue hybrid and the Chevy Volt, while Toyota will release a plug-in version of the Toyota Prius. A number of plug-ins from niche automakers might also become available in 2010. Unfortunately, GM plug-in hybrids will be available in very limited numbers the first few years and Toyota might only make their plug-ins available for fleet sales.

By 2010, however, a number of second generation Prius hybrids will be 6 plus years old. Obviously, these hybrid cars will still have a lot of life left in them, but what if the fuel economy of these hybrids could be more than doubled for less than $5,000?

Finish: 2010 - Year of the Plug-in Hybrid Conversion?

GM joins forces with 30 utilities for Volt

Forget fuel cells?

GM has joined forces with the Electrical Vehicle Institute and more than 30 utility companies to work on tax incentives for electric drive vehicles, such as the Chevy Volt, in addition to recharging stations and and how to stagger recharging to prevent local substation overload. Likewise, "The speed of the recharging, voltage, amperage and other issues all have to be worked out" as well according to the AP.

"This vehicle is real. It's coming into production," said Britta Gross, a GM engineer who is helping to build the infrastructure for cars of the future. "We know that when the vehicle is in the showroom and ready for sale, it's got to work seamlessly with the infrastructure. It's the whole picture. We've got to make sure the infrastructure is ready."

Is the Volt becoming bigger than just the car?

US automakers: Just hoping hybrids go away?

Dodge Durango hybrid: Can hybrid versions of gas-guzzlers save the US auto industry?

The other day I read an article that has echoed a sentiment spewing out of the mainstream auto publications the last few weeks, 'give US automakers a break' because 'no one would have predicted $4.00 gas 4 years ago.'

Perhaps many, but many others saw this possibility. Thus, I can only refer to people that, after 9/11 and Katrina, for example, whom thought that foreign oil and oil dependency weren't going to be an issue in the next few years, as foolish, and I've been saying that on this blog for more than 4 years. But, whatever, the past is the past, and now I'm more concerned about the future.

Finish: US automakers: Just hoping hybrid vehicles go away?

New Honda hybrid looks like a Prius?

A smaller version of the Clarity FCX?

AutoWeek has a number of pictures of what they are describing as a new Honda hybrid vehicle, which is shaped much like the Toyota Prius. This has caused some to speculate that its the third generation Prius, but I don't agree since this vehicle does not appear to be larger than the current Prius, which is to grow a bit in length and width compared to the current version.

Some on AutoWeek are already complaining that if this vehicle is Honda's new hybrid, their design team should be fired. Still, having seen the proportions of the latest Chevy Volt, which is starting to ever more resemble the body styling of the Prius, it seems probable that aerodynamics are driving design, and it just so happens the Prius is quite aerodynamic.

Anyway, call me overly practical, but I'm more focused on fuel economy and price than I am design, and if Honda's new hybrid vehicle resembles the Prius, but provides better fuel economy at a cheaper price, I'm still interested.

Prius: Litmus test for the auto industry?

Can anyone take on the Prius?

The Toyota Prius has changed the way Americans think about automobiles. Today, according to the latest surveys, most Americans are now interested in hybrid cars and the Prius is the standard. Certainly, the Prius isn't for everyone, but the Prius is the litmus test by which even automakers must judge their hybrids. It's not just about hybrid technology, but hybrid sales, which makes the Prius so important.

GM was the first to name its Prius-killer, the Chevy Volt, offering a totally different kind of hybrid powertrain and one that can plug-in. Unfortunately, it is now obvious that the Volt, at least in terms of sales, will come nowhere close to challenging the Prius until long after 2015. By then the Prius will be on its fourth generation of Hybrid Synergy Drive technology and who knows if the Volt's revolutionary technology will still be a killer by then.

Other than GM, only Honda has reasonable plans for a Prius-killer in the near term, and they have a pretty good plan, in terms of technology and production numbers. A hybrid as accommodating as the Prius, as efficient as the Prius, and cheaper than the Prius. Of course, that's before Toyota launches the third generation Prius. And, it still seems the Prius will easily dominate city fuel economy against this killer.

Sadly, outside of Honda and GM, no other major automaker is anywhere near a Prius-killer, as gas surges towards $5.00 per gallon. Thus, if the Prius is a fair litmus test for the auto industry, the industry is failing, pathetically.

GM uses Volt to lobby for lower fuel economy standards

No game changer until well after 2015

The Chevy Volt will be an amazing piece of technology when it hits the road in late 2010, but it won't be a game changer until well after 2015. According to the DetroitNews, GM is currently lobbying the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to lower the increase in fleet fuel economy required between 2011 and 2015 because such a requirement could slow the rollout of the Volt.

"GM's game-changing (extended range electric vehicle) technology should be treated as a low-volume application" through the 2015 model year, GM said in its filing, adding that it "strongly discouraged" NHTSA from assuming large numbers of vehicles would be built before then. It urged NHTSA to drop its yearly increase to 3 percent per year.

Back in April, Hybridcarblog reported that GM might use the Volt as an SUV fuel economy bargaining chip, and it now appears that prediction has come true. Sources within GM have claimed that less than 200,000 Chevy Volts would be built before 2015, therefore, the Volt will have little impact on GM's fleet fuel economy.

Should the Volt be an excuse for lower fuel economy standards? What if some unforeseen problem slows the Volt and E-Flex? Too many eggs in one basket?

Production-ready Volt in September?

Can it stop the bleeding?

In September, in a well-planned move to coincide with GM's 100th Anniversary, GM will debut a production-ready Chevy Volt and announce a supplier for the Volt's lithium-ion battery pack (Yahoo). Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that the Volt will be ready to hit the market sooner than expected, as the first production-ready Volts will be put through numerous lab and real-world tests. Still, however, it will be a great step forward.

Nonetheless, the move does seem driven by PR. With GM stock at a 54 year low, GM needs to give investors something in which to believe. Obviously, the Volt is perfect for such an occasion, and if GM could also announce more aggressive numbers for initial production runs, it seems the Volt could provide a real lift to GM stock.

If not, however, 100,000 Volts per year could still be several years away. Will that be enough proof for investors?

2010: Tesla WhiteStar v. Chevy Volt

Telsa ready to follow up the Roadster with a sedan

Thanks to $10 million in tax relief and incentives, Tesla will make its WhiteStar sedan in California, which should go on sale in 2010. Certainly, offering 225 miles per charge for $60,000 should bring more EV fans to Tesla than has the $100,000 Roadster, right?

Still, can WhiteStar compete with the likes of the Chevy Volt or a Prius plug-in hybrid?

While the Volt will only achieve 40 miles of pure electric power, it will essentially offer unlimited range as it can be fueled with gasoline to generate extra electricity. More important, the Volt will cost $20,000 less than WhiteStar. A plug-in Prius probably will offer the least amount of pure electric power, but it will offer more than 100 mpg and it will be the cheapest of the three.

Of course, different folks have different needs. Which car interests you most?

GM's plug-in revolution won't happen fast

Leaving the Prius behind anytime soon?

By late 2010, if plans stay on course, GM will begin rolling out the Chevy Volt. Unfortunately, however, 2010 might see less than 1000 plug-in Volts hit the road. In 2011, GM hopes to produce 10,000 Volts, followed by 60,000 the following year. Thus, the world won't see 100,000 Volts per year until at least sometime after 2012.

While I'm a fan of the Volt, less than a year ago, I asked Bob Lutz about a dual mode hybrid Prius fighter. He essentially asked why, when something like the Volt would be superior to the Toyota Prius, according to Lutz. For perception, I replied back then, to prove that GM had changed and that it could and would take on the Prius.

However, if I saw him today, I would ask, with $4.00+ gas, can GM really wait several more years before GM isn't only challenging the Prius with possibly better technology, but in numbers that matter?

Will GM say goodbye to oil?

So, GM will be fully hydrogen and electric powered?

Earlier this week reports started coming out of GM that the automaker was considering a new advertising campaign. Essentially, GM would send a Dear John letter to the oil industry - via television - saying, it's been good, but now its time to end the relationship. And, no doubt, the Chevy Volt will be a huge feature in that campaign.

Some argue this is a great campaign because it proves GM has changed, or at least, is changing. Yet, GM's fleet is going to be sucking down a massive amount of oil for decades, and the Volt won't be on the road for another 2 years, and only in limited numbers.

While I believe that GM is changing, actions speak louder than words, and nothing demonstrates that better than rubber hitting the road. So, when GM achieves a huge improvement in fleet fuel economy, such a campaign might make sense. As for today, however, it's just talking the talk when what the US needs is a lot more walking.

Chevy Volt will only achieve 20 miles of juice?

Get outta here!

Earlier today I checked out a thread on MotorTrend titled Toyota laughs while Chevy Volt battery power ripped in half.

The article references a 20 mile Volt, versus the intended 40 mile Volt - 40 miles of pure electricity that is. This 20 mile Volt idea has been floated around by GM, at least in theory, for some time. It's called consumer options, folks. A 20 mile Volt is NOT a sign of Volt failure.

In fact, there are many Volt variants, such as a fuel cell Volt. Actually, there aren't just many Volt variants that are being conceptualized, there are also many E Flex variants - the electric drive of the Volt - that are being conceived. The Chevy Volt is just the beginning.

Nonetheless, the first E Flex vehicle, the Chevy Volt, WILL achieve 40 miles of electricity. That word was confirmed to me by GM's Tony Posawatz, an engineer on the Volt team. For more, check out Tony's quote at http://www.gm-volt.com/, easily the best Volt-dedicated blog. Make sure to say high to Lyle for me if you check it out.

Chevy Volt battery breezing through tests

GM almost ready to pick its supplier

GM's Bob Lutz told Reuters that the Chevy Volt continues to hit all benchmarks and that the battery is performing so well that GM is on the verge of naming is supplier, either A123 Systems and/or LG Chem. More important, the Volt should be ready for its 2010 launch.

"I would say there's almost no reasonable doubt in our minds anymore that this is going to work," said Lutz, who heads vehicle development for GM.

Lutz also took a poke at Toyota claiming it was GM that forced Toyota to reconsider lithium-ion batteries for hybrid cars and that reporters should remember that GM pushed forward with something that Toyota said wasn't possible.

Lutz brags about his Volt test drive

Finally closer to his dream

A lot of people think Bob Lutz killed the electric car, but today, Bob Lutz has become one of the biggest advocates for electric vehicles, especially the Chevy Volt. Thus, he's particularly happy that is now able to start test driving the technology that will power the Volt, and Lutz wrote about his test drive on the FastLane blog last week.

"It hit me on the drive out to Milford, as I passed gas station after gas station with prices for regular unleaded hugging the $4 mark: This makes the importance and potential of our all-electric glide through our proving ground roads even clearer," states Lutz on FastLane (more).

GM sales down whopping 32% in May, time for more hybrids?

Where is the Saturn Vue hybrid?

GM's sales were down 32% in May, and truck and SUV sales were down an unbelievable 39% for the same period. Is there any wonder that GM is quickly dropping large vehicle production? And, while the Chevy Volt is a fantastic piece of automotive vision and technology, it can't help GM for years, and even when it is launched, it will still take a few more years to scale up production.

Isn't it time for GM to increase its dual mode hybrid production? Hybrid vehicles, such as the Ford Escape hybrid, are proving that small hybrid SUVs, such as the soon-to-be-released Saturn Vue hybrid, can sell well. Unlike Ford, however, GM doesn't lease hybrid technology from Toyota. Thus, isn't it time for GM to leverage its dual mode investment and put this hybrid technology into as many vehicles as possible, as quickly as possible?

GM to sell Hummer, focus on fuel efficiency?

GM: Think Volt, not Hummer

GM is going to close several truck plants, consider selling the Hummer brand, and focus on building more fuel efficient vehicles, such as hybrid cars and other small vehicles. Additionally, the GM board has approved final production funding for the Chevy Volt. (AFP)

A good time to buy GM?

A waking giant

I'm not sure which year of the GM death watch America is now in, but I know we're several years into the death march. And, with stock value crashing, it seems easy to believe the end is near for the General. So, why is Barron's predicting that GM stock could triple in value over the next few years?

Cost cutting and great foreign sales. GM has already trimmed a lot of corporate fat and by 2010 GM will be saving $4 - $5 billion dollars per year due to its new contract with the UAW.

Coincidentally, 2010 is also a very interesting year for new GM products. In 2010, the world could see two plug-in hybrid vehicles from GM: the Chevy Volt and the Saturn Vue hybrid. Additionally, GM will also a launch a new lithium-powered hybrid powertrain that can be integrated into almost any vehicle.

Around 2010, GM and its shareholders could find themselves in the perfect storm, but instead of death - GM critics please close your eyes now - it could be an amazing rebirth.

Oil glut 2011: A real hybrid killa?

Hybrid demand: Oil giveth, oil taketh away?

Just finished watching some great CNBC coverage on oil and it really made me hone in on two thoughts. First, oil traders have not factored the possibility of hurricanes into the current price of oil. So, if a hurricane hits the Gulf, expect jumps in gas prices. If a hurricane hits hard, plan on moth-balling your car for a few months. Second, most oil experts believe that an oil glut is inevitable once oil companies begin converting dirtier oil resources into refined product, though many predict such a glut is still 2 to 3 years away. Ironically, that potential oil glut could coincide quite nicely with the first generation of plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Will a $40,000 Chevy Volt, for example, still resonate with consumers if oil takes a big hit and gas prices suddenly drop significantly?

Volt success hinged to massive tax subsidies?

Much ado about tax credits?

According to Winding Road GM is engaged in a lobbying effort to have Congress create a tax credit for plug-in hybrid vehicles like the Chevy Volt.

"GM has been actively lobbying Congress in advance of the Volt’s arrival, for tax credits that would benefit, “extended-range electric vehicles” like the upcoming Chevy. Such a credit (or credits) could trim as much as $7,000 off the car’s sticker, making the Volt a far better potential value for the predicted 10,000 to 30,000 customers in year-one of the car, and helping to lay the groundwork for making it a high-volume seller in years to come."

I guess those German rumors of a $30,000 Volt were just the result of wishful thinking?

Shocking: Chevy Volt pricing could be under $30,000?

Possibly even coming in early 2010

Since the Chevy Volt debuted at NAIAS in 2007, the potential price of the Volt has ballooned close to $50,000, as the date has pushed back to late 2010, or early 2011.

Well, reports coming out of Germany regarding a Rick Wagoner interview indicate that development of the Chevy Volt might now be going better than expected. According to the reports, GM is hoping to keep the price of the Chevy Volt close to $30,000. Even better, the Volt might go one sale on early 2010, rather than late 2010, although in limited numbers.

A $30,000 Volt in 2010? Wow. Let's just hope that GM's battery partners can get it together fast because it will be impossible for GM to stay up with demand if GM can keep Volt pricing at $30,000 or less.

Flextreme Dream: Europe key to Volt success?

The Saturn Flextreme: For America, for Europe, for the world?

Soon, GM will begin building a significant number of cars off the next generation Delta platform. That means models such as Cobalt, Astra and Opel will share the same platform, largely bridging the platform gap between much of Europe and America. More interesting, however, these models will also share the same platform with the Chevy Volt and the E Flex Drive.

Thus, as I was reading a story regarding how an almost-production-ready Volt could debut at the Paris auto show, I started wondering how much of an impact the Volt, and/or the Opel Flextreme - also an E Flex Drive vehicle - could impact Europe.

With gas prices at $8.00 or higher in many parts of Europe, it seems that perhaps the Volt could have an even bigger impact in Europe than in America, at least initially. Maybe GM could even sell the Volt closer to real world costs in Europe than in America thanks to high fuel costs.

Could Europe be key to Volt success?

Chevy Volt achieving 40 miles of electricity on public roads

Lutz getting into his beloved Volt

"Today is a big day," GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told Edmunds' AutoObserver.com in an exclusive interview Tuesday. "Today is the first day it is running on the street on battery power."

And the Chevy Volt isn't just running on the street on battery power, it's achieving 40 miles of pure electric range - a critical benchmark for GM's Volt program.

"It is reliably meeting its objectives. Even with a rough calibration, even with the wrong drive unit, the wrong body, etc. etc., it has been hitting its 40 miles on electric power," Lutz said.

I have few doubts that the Chevy Volt will meet its 2010 launch, I just wonder what the final price will be and whether GM can produce tens of thousands - even a hundred thousand - Volts by 2011 or 2012. If so a lot of Volt critics will be eating crow.

GM accepts SUV defeat and hybrid future?

Hummers: Not the most visionary vehicle?

We all know that large SUVs and trucks have been GM's bread and butter. And, while many have seen the writing on the wall regarding the death of large SUVs, GM has seemed unwilling to accept this 'reality', until now.

"We've been promoting our trucks more than we should have," Mike DiGiovanni, the company's top sales analyst, told a bankers' conference in Warren. "We're going to shift our marketing toward fuel economy and hybrids."

When it comes to hybrid vehicles, GM has a very intriguing and exciting lineup - on paper. From lithium BAS hybrids to the Chevy Volt, GM seems prepared to compete in the new future, but few of these new hybrids are either on the road or even ready to hit the road.

Can GM let go of the past and fully embrace this new fuel-efficiency-driven future? Or, is this just PR?

Volt can't kick start GM stock

Not that electrifying to investors?

Is GM's Chevy Volt vaporware? Is it just a CAFE off-setter? Is the Volt GM's ticket to the future?

While opinions vary regarding what the Volt means to GM's future, CNBC's Phil Lebeau pointed out that the Volt is certainly not helping GM's stock. Rather than invest in automakers, Lebeau suggested today that investors put their money in battery company stocks, such as Johnson Controls or Hitachi, if they wanted to invest in plug-in hybrid vehicles and the electrification of the automobile.

Volt v. Tesla: Angus manages revolutionary expectations

"One of the most fascinating decades" in automotive history

When it comes to diesel veh