Today, General Motors Corp. published their third quarter financial reports, posting a net loss of $2.5 billion, or $4.43 a share. Depleting about $6.9 billion in the span of three months, GM closed out the quarter on September 30th with $16.2 billion in the bank, down from $21 billion at the end of June.

Calculating a minimum of anywhere from $11-$14 billion is needed in order to operate, GM announced in July hasty plans to quickly generate a $15 billion dollar positive cash flow, which included possibly refinancing the Renaissance Center. Today, GM confirmed that their financial problems have officially exceeded their private capacity to contain them. Said the official release, “Even if GM implements the planned operating actions that are substantially within its control, GM’s estimated liquidity during the remainder of 2008 will approach the minimum amount necessary to operate its business.”

With an official endorsement from country music superstar Toby Keith already under its belt, the ‘09 Ford F-150 has achieved even greater fame south of the Mason-Dixon line with its newest distinction as the “Truck of Texas.” Awarded by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) at its annual Truck Rodeo, the ‘09 F-150 barbecued competitors like the Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, and the Toyota Tundra. While it would seem that announcing the F-150 is the “Truck of Texas” is akin to announcing that “water is wet,” TAWA’s Truck Rodeo is wildly regarded throughout the auto industry as one of the most grueling evaluations and harshest critiques of new trucks and SUV’s. Explained Ford North America president Mark Fields, “…Texas auto writers are the toughest truck critics because they know [trucks] first-hand and truly appreciate how core truck customers really use their pickups.”

Monroe-Upgraded GMC Topkick

At some point in every little boy’s life he sees a dump truck or construction vehicle rolling down the road and thinks that is what he wants to drive when he grows up.  Adding to these dreams would be the recent “Transformers” movie which used a GMC Topkick as the “transformed” robot named Ironside.  Even though the super-sized Topkick is nearly as impractical an everyday driver as a cement truck, it does satisfy the needs of a very specific number of people and is as close to living out that particular boyhood dream as you can get.

GMC PAD Concept

I kid you not; a couple of years ago when this concept was first conceived and awarded several design awards, GM described it as an urban loft with mobility or “a modern alternative for those priced out of Southern California’s escalating housing market.”  As asinine as that statement is in any housing market, the PAD brings new meaning to the concept of a mobile home and does have relevant use in the world.

Mahindra Quad Cab

At first glace, Mahindra’s decision to build and sell a new line of pickup trucks in the U.S. while other automakers cut back production would seem to be foolish to say the least.  But, if these new vehicles were capable of class leading fuel efficiency, that might change some people’s minds in a hurry.  That is exactly what Indian manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra intends to do in the next year and it may actually be successful.

With the seemingly inevitable decision of the Government to appropriate $700 billion in aid of the mortgage industry looming ahead, the approval of $25 billion in loans by the U.S. House yesterday for the struggling U.S. auto industry received relatively little coverage.  Remember when the $1.2 billion bailout of Chrysler in the late 70’s was a big deal?  Well that is chump change compared to this.  But hold on, there’s even more on the horizon.

2010 Volt: Just one piece of GM's future

Whether you are a fan of GM or not, and I certainly have been as critical as anyone, the world’s largest company shows signs of bolstering their committment even further to provide better fuel efficiency in the future.  In each area of vehicle production; gas, diesel and hybrid, GM has important plans in the works.

Isuzu Trucks headed to Russia

As we head into another Cold War, Isuzu Motors has announced that it will introduce and market its D-Max pickup trucks in Russia beginning in February 2009.  The pickup trucks to be sold in the Russian market are the Isuzu Motors Thailand-made versions of the D-MAX.  Patrick Swayze responded by stating, “WOLVERINES!!!”

Today, GM announced the recall of 857,735 vehicles equipped with heated windshield wiper fluid systems [although at least one early bird attorney already has the number inflated to 944,000 on his "Lemon Law" website]. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a short circuit in the wiper fluid system’s electric wiring may cause other electrical features to malfunction, resulting in an odoriferous smoke and a significant fire hazard.

Our eBay Motors Find of the Day was almost going to be a “Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should” edition featuring a lowered Chevy Tahoe with chrome accents of questionable taste - but we found this van and that was all she wrote, folks.

The “Shaggin Wagon” personified, this 2000 GMC Savanna Explorer Conversion Van embodies everything we stand for here at RideLust ["aim high", that's our motto]. Even with 22″ Lexani’s, 2 television sets, and a Blaupunkt sound system, our favorite part of this ride is the full leather rear power-bench that folds into a bed. We are so overcome with RideLust, our words are failing us.

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