Recently, I attended the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals show at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania. Held every May, this show features a vast array of meticulously maintained classic British, European and Japanese cars, exemplary examples of their more modern kin, as well as a beautiful collection of kit cars.  As far as sheer variety in makes, models and years, hands down, this show can’t be beat.

This has become something of an annual treat for me as I can think of few better ways to spend a weekend than by gazing at a gleaming sea of jaw-droppingly stunning automobiles, many of which I guarantee you won’t find at other shows. Plus, participation is open to anyone with an import or a kit car – all you have to do is register, make your car pretty and show up. It’s a great opportunity to display your cherished ride and meet other aficionados of your favorite marques.

I used to come down to show my Saab and hang out with the Saab contingent that makes it out every year. But even though I have a Subaru now, it’s just so much fun that I continue to make the trip to Carlisle (my WRX was parked over by the lone DeLorean, if you happened to be there). Volvo, BMW and Audi clubs also traditionally have a large showing so the weekend is packed with the cars you love, cars you haven’t seen before, your friends from the forums, barbeques – it’s a good time for everyone.  So, if you’re not too far out from Pennsylvania, I definitely recommend heading out there next May to check out the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals. To tide you over, provided for your viewing pleasure are some of my favorite cars of the weekend. Enjoy!

Lancia Scorpion

Matte black Volvo V70R

Opel GT and Opel Kadett Coupe

Volvo P1800S

Saab 9-3 Viggens

Ferrari 360 Modena and 328GTS

Citroën 2CV and Smart Roadster Coupe

Gorgeous Audi Quattro

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

Twin-charged Audi A1

Volvo S60Rs

Saab 99 Turbo

Badass Volvos: PV544 and 142

DKW Junior de Luxe - DKW/Dampf-Kraft-Wagen became one of the four companies that comprised the "Audi NSU Auto Union AG" (now known as Audi AG).

Triumph TR8 and TR6s

Saab 96 V4 convertible - must have been a custom job.

Bimmer Beauties

Datsun 280ZX 10th Anniversary Edition

Citroën H Van and DS

Audi A7

Honda Z600 / 600 Coupe

Saab Sonetts

Datsun SPL311 Roadster

Opel GT

We recently posted a quick preview article about the 600 plus mile road trip that Kurt and myself took in the new 2011 Chevrolet Volt. It’s a car, that as you will read in our full review, exceeded most of our expectations. GM is not being stingy though with their new little masterpiece as they’re also releasing the Volt in Europe under the Opel nameplate. It’s called the Ampera, and from a styling perspective, it’s one hot little number.

From the outside the Opel Ampera has a decidedly European look and feel to it, meaning it’s much sportier than what we’re getting here in the United States. Front and rear fascias for example are much more aggressive as are the wheels. Interior wise we’re looking at pretty much the same thing on both sides of the pond, sans the Opel logo on the steering wheel.

For some reason I’m really warming up to this car, something I NEVER thought would happen in my wildest dreams. Our full review of the new Chevrolet Volt/Opel Ampera will be up within’ the next few days so just make sure to keep an eye out.

Source: Autoblog.it

The 2012 Buick Regal GS. Photo: © GM Corp.

Buick is trying hard to shed their image as the official car of the Gray Panthers, and is proud that the median buyer age has dropped from 72 to 65. That’s moving in the right direction, but the division still needs to attract a younger buyer who’ll stay with the brand to ensure Buick’s growth in the luxury segment. Cars like the Lacrosse aren’t bad, but it takes more than build quality and ride comfort to attract buyers who’d otherwise shop Lexus, Infiniti or BMW.

Last May, GM announced that the Buick Regal GS would see production, based upon positive feedback from the Detroit Auto Show concept. The GS would have a 255 horsepower, turbocharged four cylinder motor, an available shift-it-yourself six speed transmission and a sport tuned suspension. Inside, the car would feel more like a true sport sedan than a luxo-barge, but buyers would still get things like a premium stereo and premium leather seats.

2012 Regal GS interior. Photo: © GM Corp.

GM’s finally released pictures of a production Buick Regal GS, and I can’t wait to drive one. On the performance side, the car will indeed produce 255 horsepower from a turbocharged Ecotec motor, exclusive to the Regal GS. The six speed manual transmission will send power to the 19” front wheels via a limited slip differential, and braking will be handled by Brembo calipers (for the front rotors, at least). Inside, the seats are described by Left Lane News as “Recaro style”, which sets my expectations pretty high, especially since the genuine Recaros in the Cadillac CTS-V are so good. The steering wheel is flat bottomed and suede-wrapped, giving a much more aggressive appearance and feel than you’d expect from the most conservative of GM brands. Every other luxury amenity you’d expect, from HID headlights through heated seats and a Harman Kardon sound system is part of the package.

The car goes on sale in the second half of 2011, and I’d expect a starting price at around the $30,000 mark.

Spring Hill, Tennessee, was once home to Saturn, who proclaimed themselves “a different kind of car company”. Poor marketing and an indistinct product line ultimately alienated buyers, and the brand was killed off by GM in 2009. By the end of Saturn’s lifespan, the Spring Hill plant was only being used to produce engines and the Chevy Traverse. The last Saturn built in Spring Hill rolled off the assembly line in 2007, and GM switched Traverse production to Lansing, MI, in 2009. Most of the Spring Hill plant was shuttered, except for the engine assembly line.

Times have changed for GM, and a worldwide uptick in sales has demanded more four cylinder engines than the Spring Hill facility can produce today. GM will be spending some $483 million to increase production and recall nearly 500 UAW workers to build motors for the U.S., Mexico, China, Korea and the EU.

The plant currently produces a variety of Ecotec motors, including the 2.4 liter direct-injection four cylinder, a separate 2.4 liter four cylinder for the Korean market, and a 2.0 liter, turbocharged direct-injection motor for the EU and Chinese markets. There are no immediate plans to reintroduce vehicle manufacturing at the Spring Hill plant, as GM currently has adequate capacity at existing plants in the U.S. and Canada.

Good news for fans of American luxury and performance cars: GM has confirmed that they’ll build the Buick Regal GS. Shown at this year’s North American International Auto Show, the Regal GS concept featured a turbocharged 2 liter motor, good for 255 horsepower, a six speed manual transmission and AWD with a rear-drive bias. It was almost enough to make us forgive GM for killing Pontiac and the Holden built G8.

GM hasn’t yet confirmed production details for the Regal GS, but it will be based on the Opel Insignia OPC. Plans are to get the Regal GS into dealer showrooms sometime next year, most likely as a 2012 model. The Regal GS is Buick’s strategy to draw in a younger buyer, since the brand has long been seen as the official car of AARP. Buick is making progress in attracting younger buyers with the new LaCrosse, which has dropped the average Buick buyer’s age from 72 to 65. Still, they’ve got a ways to go to hit the “Fast and the Furious” demographic.

I’ve driven the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, and have to say that build quality has improved substantially over the past few years. Likewise for choice of materials; the interior quality of the LaCrosse is on par with offerings from Lexus, and that’s not a claim you could make about Buicks a few years back. As you’d expect, the LaCrosse has a ride tuned for comfort, not handling, so it won’t be of interest to driving enthusiasts. Let’s hope that the Regal GS lives up to the promise of the show car, because I’d love to have another option for a performance / luxury sedan built in America.

Source: GM to make high-performance Buick Regal GS

As the Chevrolet VOLT closes in on its release date this November, another less well-known version of the new plug-in hybrid also readies production across the pond. The Opel Ampera, sister car to the Chevy’s VOLT will be displayed at the Geneva Auto Show this coming March. In a sales tactic that’s been previously employed by some other manufactures, the Ampera will be driven from Rüsselsheim, Germany, to the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland. This little stunt will prove two things to the world automotive press. One, that is actually runs and two, that it’ll do everything that Opel claims.

Read more about it over at Autoevolution.com

Opel/Vauxhall is bringing the Flextreme GT/E concept car to Geneva this year. It’s like the Volt, only faster and better looking. The car can cruise at 125 miles per hour while achieving 175 miles per gallon. Like the Volt, it’s powered by electric motors and batteries, with an internal-combustion engine that drives a generator for extended-range. The Flextreme uses slide-out panels that deflect air around its rear to achieve a staggering .22 drag coefficient. I like the way it looks, but at the pace the auto industry moves, we won’t see a design like this hit the market for, say, 50 years.

Source: Gizmag

It’s been a long, hard road for Opel/Vauxhall of late, up for sale but being bounced around between two competing bidders like WWE contestants bouncing off of those bungee-cord ring ropes. That being said, the saga is (almost) over, as GM wants to sell to Magna provided that the German government kicks in some money, the unions involved agree to cut their own salaries, and a pig somewhere flies, however briefly. We should note that Magna, a Canadian multinational, is partnered with some unpronounceable Russian banking oligarchy for this transaction, so we expect a friendly iron curtain to soon descend over GM’s German operations just as soon as they can get all the details sorted out. Don’t hold yer breath.

[Source]

Opel Ampera

Unless you’ve been living in a cave on the Moon with your eyes shut and hands over your ears, you know that electric vehicles are the future. Not a week goes by where there isn’t some announcement about the car that will break the ties of petroleum oppression. For you, dear readers, I have assembled a list of some of the more notable entrants into the EV market with the pros and cons of each. From econoboxes to SUVs, grocery getters to exotics. Enjoy.

Mini E

The Mini E is for people that stay close to home and shop one grocery bag at a time. It looks like any other Cooper and handles as well too. Power comes from 5088 lithium-ion battery cells and the range is up to 100 miles (if you’re lucky). Non-Cooperists will hate the lack of back seat and storage in an already small car. 450 Mini E’s will be piloted for the ludicrous price of $850 per month.

Pros: Responsive steering, all the amenities of a standard Mini
Cons: No range extender, storage capacity is more micro than mini
Status: Currently a pilot project, production in 2013
Verdict: Needs a smaller battery pack and range extender

Dodge Circuit EV

Looking to compete with Tesla, Dodge has also gone the Lotus route and electrified the Europa. Zero to sixty is under five seconds and the total range is a respectable 150 miles. Storage is nil, but at $85,000 this is no one’s only car. As the same powertrain is spread across multiple variants, expect to see a price drop within a few short years.

Pros: Excellent acceleration, Lotus handling
Cons: 600 lb battery throws it off balance
Status: Prototype testing
Verdict: Buy a Circuit and a hauler for the price of a Tesla roadster

Chevrolet Volt (also Opel Ampera)

Never heard of it. I understand it has an electric range of 40 miles and a 1.4-liter range-extending ICE acting as a generator. Most importantly, it will seat four full-size adults. Trunk space is also retained thanks to the T-shaped battery pack mounted under the rear seats. It should list for $40,000 with a $7,500 tax credit.

Pros: Plenty of tech, plenty of space, reasonable price
Cons: Low range, anemic performance once range extender kicks in
Status: on sale November 2010
Verdict: Has been and will be the benchmark for years to come

Toyota Prius Plug-in

People have been modifying the Prius for years to eke out every last mile, but Toyota will finally produce an all-electric version of the hybrid icon in 2012. First-year output will be between 20,000 and 30,000 cars and price may be around $47,000. They had better fix one thing for sure, and that’s the estimated 12-18 mile range. WHAT!? [Reuters]

Pros: Proven technology, familiar package, solid reliability
Cons: Lack of performance handling, very little “fun factor”
Status: Available in 2012
Verdict: Unless the price and/or performance drastically improve, get in line for a Volt

Silence PT2

In February of 2006, electric motor manufacturer EBW partnered up with bad ass three-wheeler T-Rex to create a fun, fast, and compact electric vehicle priced at $43,000. Range is approximately 125 to 250 miles per charge and the top speed it 125 mph. The price seems a little high for what you’re getting, but think of all the fun you can have in what amounts to an electric motorcycle for two.

Pros: Extremely sporty and fun to drive
Cons: Virtually no storage and a price similar to some EV sedans
Status: Available now, it seems, but the website doesn’t instill confidence
Verdict: Strictly a toy for someone with multiple cars

Fisker Karma

Car designer and coachbuilder Henrik Fisker partnered with Quantum Technologies in 2007 to design and build the Karma. Think of it as the same range-extending technology as a Chevy Volt with twice the horsepower. What makes Fisker special are his production methods. He keeps a small crew of engineers and outsources nearly every aspect of the car to various suppliers. The result is lightning-fast development at a fraction of the cost of larger manufacturers.

Pros: Ridiculously cool styling, high performance, luxurious, great price at $87K
Cons: Feels rushed to market, price seems too good to be true
Status: Production scheduled for the end of 2009, deliveries in Q1 2010
Verdict: If the Karma turns out not to be vaporware, it could blow everything else out of the water

Cadillac Converj

Cadillac’s version of the Chevy Volt in coupe form. Expensive battery packs mean high-priced electric cars, but the luxurious Converj will seem reasonable if GM can keep it under $70K.

Pros: Aggressive styling, magnetic ride control, all the best tech
Cons: Similar performance to the Volt at a higher price, only two doors
Status: Green light
Verdict: Awesome, but there better be a sedan in the works too

Chrysler ENVI Town & Country/Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EV

Chrysler is not stopping with just the Circuit EV. The same battery pack can easily be dropped into multiple platforms including the mom-friendly Town & Country and various Jeep products. Expect the same 150-mile limit per charge. I feel they really hit the nail on the head here, developing multiple EV platforms at once. Will Chrysler be the first to offer an all-electric line?

Pros: Same performance in different packages provides more options
Cons: Still no range extender
Status: Prototype
Verdict: This costly gamble just may save Chrysler from irrelevance

Nissan EV

Nissan is currently undergoing testing for their new EV using first-generation Cube mules. The final product will be closer to a Sentra, and hopefully nowhere near the Mixim EV concept pointed out by Geoff. From stage one, Nissan recognized the futility of a $50K electric econobox. The ultimate goal is a price between $25-33,000. Stats are on the high-end of the EV scale too, 100 miles on a 40 minute charge.

Pros: May be the first EV from a major player to break the $30K barrier
Cons: It’ll be a little late to the party, but that’s it
Status: Production beginning in 2011
Verdict: If you can stay off the bandwagon for long enough, the Nissan may be the best value out there

SSC Aero EV

With a 0-60 time of 2.5 seconds, you would think the Shelby Aero EV was burning rocket fuel, not petrol. The answer is neither. The 1,000 hp superEV (TM) is powered by an All-Electric Scalable Powertrain good for up to 200 miles between charges. The recharge time is practically unbelievable at 10 minutes, compared to 3 hours on the Tesla Roadster. Something tells me you can’t have your cake and eat it too with the acceleration and range.

Pros: Incredible range, performance and refueling time, BONUS: the cops will never hear you coming
Cons: Interestingly, the price is probably only for those who have all the oil they want
Status: Production beginning in late 2009
Verdict: If money were no object, it would be perfect

Tesla Roadster

This is the trailblazer. Sure, Tesla didn’t invent the electric car or even put one on the road first, but the Roadster proves than an independent electric car company with a good idea and lots of financing can indeed make a name for themselves. Built on a Lotus Elise platform, the $100K Roadster will exceed 200 miles on a single charge and accelerate from 0 to 60 in under 4 seconds.

Pros: Exhilarating performance, one of few convertible EVs
Cons: Price, availability, lack of dealer network
Status: Available now, sort of
Verdict: A good car, but you’re late to this party. 300 cars delivered and over 1,000 customers waiting

Tesla Model S

Where the Tesla Roadster was sort of a proof-of-concept initiative, the Model S is CEO Elon Musk’s mass market savior. He’ll try and tell you it seats seven and can store a 50-inch TV, mountain bike and a surfboard all at the same time. He’ll say it will go at least 160 miles on a charge and produce 400hp. He’ll boast about the 17-inch touch screen with 3G connectivity inside and the sub $50K price tag. I say let’s slow the hype train a little bit.

Pros: In addition to everything above, it’s designed by Franz von Holzhausen (Solstice/Sky)
Cons: Remember, the first Roadsters were delivered late and with temporary transmissions
Status: Available in 2011
Verdict: For all his talk, what Musk does have that other’s don’t is cars on the road.

Chrysler 200C EV

You didn’t think Chrysler was working on all these EVs only to leave out the sedan, did you? The 200C has a striking new look for Chrysler, and the interior is clearly conceptual. Using the same powertrain as the rest of the line, it can travel up to 40 miles using only battery power and up to 400 miles without refueling. Pricing and availability are unreleased at this time.

Pros: Beautiful style at what will probably be a reasonable price
Cons: None yet, just Chrysler’s viability
Status: Concept (will likely see production soon)
Verdict: If priced properly, this could by Chrysler’s “Volt-like” savior

Chrysler GEM Peapod

Have you ever seen something just too cute for this world? And that meant you had to kill it? Introducing the GEM Peapod by Chrysler. This ultra-compact EV is the first vehicle of its kind for GEM, having normally focused on open-top golf cart-style vehicles. It is available in two-, four- and six-passenger configurations. As Vito noted, the downfall will be the performance. 30 miles per charge and a top speed of 25 mph.

Pros: It may attract cute chicks as would walking a puppy
Cons: It will attract assholes that’ll throw rocks at you
Status: Available now
Verdict: Sure it’s cute like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man but seriously, $20,000?

Raser Technologies HUMMER H3

If you’re a big fan of irony, the Raser H3 EV is for you. Using an E-REV powertrain similar to the Volt, you can curse all the wasteful Prius owners you like. Raser Technologies developed the 200 kW motor and 100 kW generator to stretch as much as 400 miles on one tank of gas. The first 40 miles are all electric, then the generator sips gas to keep you going. For those that average 50 miles per day, the Raser H3 averages 165 mpg.

Pros: Raser was very specific that off-road capabilities not be compromised
Cons: If you actually drive it like a HUMMER, expect those MPGs to drop
Status: Prototype
Verdict: I know the thing works, I just can’t find any info on how the hell to get one

eRUF Model A

The Legendary Porsche tuners at RUF have gone and done the unthinkable by electrifying a Porsche 911. Though the purists will likely cry blasphemy, it’s hard to ignore the cool factor. The battery pack takes a full 10 hours to charge and provides a maximum range of 200 miles. With the equivalent of 204 horsepower, performance is good but not great. The 0-60 is less than 7 seconds and the top speed is 160 mph. But watch out RUF, apparently Porsche is working on their own version.

Pros: Strong performance, classic styling
Cons: Charge time, price over $200,000
Status: Available to order
Verdict: Too expensive considering the technology, it’s not an electric GT2 after all

Volvo Plug-in Diesel Hybrid

I tend to agree with Alex on this one. Throwing some graphics on a Volvo and photoshopping it next to a “charging station” doesn’t say anything. You’ll have to do better to get even resident fangirl Suzanne’s money. Volvo President and CEO Stephen Odell says it all: “In fact, I would go so far as to say that the plug-in electrical hybrid we will launch in 2012 will be a true dream car. With the innovative solution we will offer, the car owner will be able to drive a thoroughly enjoyable car packed with Volvo’s renowned high safety and genuine driving pleasure.” A generic statement about a car that doesnt’ exist if I’ve ever heard one.

Pros: Knowing Volvo, they’ll take the time to get it right and it will be the safest EV on the market
Cons: Platform hasn’t even been decided, though Volvo hints at C30, S40 and V50
Status: The Volvo TBD will be available TBD with a price of $TBD and a range of TBD miles
Verdict: You can trade in your first EV for one

Coda Electric Sedan

Miles Rubin, founder of Miles EV, has created Coda Automotive to build his first full-size electric passenger car. Miles EV specializes in smaller city cars, so production will be outsourced to Chinese firm Hafei Automotive and based on their existing Saibo sedan. It’ll sport average stats of 90 to 120 miles on a charge and a 0 to 60 of about 11 seconds. Price is estimated at $45,000. [RideLust]

Pros: For those that like to blend in, a completely generic looking EV that no one has ever heard of
Cons: Chinese knockoff of existing technology, what could go wrong?
Status: 2,700 built next year for Californians, full rollout in 2012
Verdict: Proceed with caution

Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Mitsubishi has managed to shove their MiEV system into the tiny “i” city car. Of course, Alex points out that it could be just in name only. The battery-only range of 100 miles gets an A+ and the quick 30 minute charge time is excellent as well. What hurts is the $50,000 price tag. So close, Mitsu! The 62 hp it produces won’t shred any tires, but I can see this thing spank the Smart if the price came down a little.

Pros: Better range and charge time than most EVs
Cons: Price, and my lawnmower puts out more horses
Status: Worldwide sale in 2010
Verdict: Great for city dwellers only

Koenigsegg Quant

The Koenigsegg Quant started off as a concept resulting from the collaborative efforts of NLV Solar AG and supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg. The electric-only range is 500 kilometers and the charge time flies by in 20 minutes. The best part is the thin layer of photovoltaic panels which cover the car and help feed the batteries. Since we reported that the Quant might see production (and since I’ve started writing this article), Koenigsegg has released a statement clarifying that the Quant was strictly a concept and never meant for production.

Pros: The most wicked styling and performance of any EV
Cons: What does it cost to touch up a car layered with photovoltaic cells?
Status: Nixed by the ‘Segg
Verdict: I can see it happening someday, and when it does, you still can’t afford it

Exxon-Mobil/Electrovaya Maya 300

The oil companies want to sell me an electric car. Be suspicious. For now this is a joint venture to inform the public on the benefits of EVs, but future production is not out of the question. Baltimore residents may rent the Maya 300 through the Maryland Science Center’s Altcar program.

Pros: 60-120 mile range per charge from standard outlet
Cons: Limited availability, radio may play anti-EV subliminal messages
Status: Sorry, Baltimorians only for now but may be available in 2011
Verdict: If it does hit someday at the target price of $25,000 I could possibly justify buying what looks like an electric Nano

South Park’s “IT”

The “IT” was developed in South Park, Colorado by one Mr. Garrison. Tired of being hassled by the airline companies, Mr. Garrison leveraged his experience as an elementary school teacher and his knowledge of quantum physics to create a unique form of transportation. Its propulsion methods are top secret and known only to lead designer, Mr. Hat. The “IT” uses no fuel, but trust me, it’ll cost you.

Pros: Unbelievable speed, acceleration, fuel economy
Cons: Taking it in the ass doesn’t stop once you leave the dealer
Status: Fictional
Verdict: I totally know a guy that would want one of these. I’m talking to you, buddy. Your manly curses are so forced.

On December 3rd of 2008, we published an article entitled “9 Detroit Auto Brands We’d Miss the Least” encouraging the Detroit automakers to slim down and get rid of some of their brands. The argument was, that just like Aron Ralston cutting off his own arm to survive, the major US car manufacturers needed to take drastic action and cut off some major portions of their business in order to keep the business alive as a whole.

Almost 7 months later, we’re back with a follow-up to see which of our original 9 brands survived and which ones went the way of Oldsmobile and Geo. Check it:

1. Opel & 2. Vauxhall: SOLD & SOLD

In my original post, I said that Opel is like the Chevy of Europe… huge, with a massive place in the mindshare of the European people. But the big cashmoneys that GM could get from an Opel/Vauxhall sale would be too good to pass up, since it’d give them some much needed breathing room to focus on the more profitable US brands.

A few months after the post, on May 30th, 2009, GM announced it’s deal to sell New GM Europe (Opel and Vauxhall, but not Saab) to a holding company led by the Canadian company Magna International. However, GM has a 35% minority stake in that holding company, so they’re not completely out of the Euromarket.

3. Buick: KEPT

When I wrote the original post, I was focusing on GM’s positions in the United States. That parameter, combined with the fact that Buick is one of the best selling brands in China, led me to conclude that GM would be best served by selling off Buick to a Chinese automaker like Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp, then re-investing that money in profitable brands in the US.

Despite the fact that Buick accounts for less than 5% of all GM’s sales, they’ve decided to hold on to the brand, a decision most likely impacted by the huge interest in China. See how pretty the Riviera looks in Chinatalk…

4. Pontiac: GONE

Pontiac is a painful subject for most auto enthusiasts. I really wanted it to work out, really; but I knew it couldn’t. Like when your really cool girlfriend gets too fat. GM even did some studies and tried to work out a way to keep Pontiac by cutting down the number of models to 4 or so, and then focusing on the youth sector of the market. However, on April 27, 2009, they decided to just scrap the brand as a whole… and presumably bury the body in the NJ pinelands somewhere.

However, in an interesting turn of events, in May of 2009, a Michigan Pontiac dealer named Jim Waldron announced that he was interested in buying up the Pontiac brand, logos, and some of the soon-to-be closed GM plants in order to build cars. Plus he said he found financing via some private investors. Initially, GM said that, unlike Saturn, the brand wasn’t for sale. But that statement was made before the official GM bankruptcy. As of mid June, Waldron indicated that he’s currently in talks with GM about buying the brand. We’ll see what happens.

5. Hummer: GONE/SOLD?

This one was fairly obvious to most of the spectators of the automotive world. It was also one of the first brands GM openly talked about getting rid of. On top of the shitty image that the Hummer brand developed among eco-freaks and tree-sexers, the brand was only responsible for 1.5% of all GM sales. It was sort of a no-brainer to lose this one.

Instead of just discontinuing the brand like they originally planned, GM is apparently trying to sell it off to the Chinese company Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery. If the deal goes through, Tengzhong will supposedly keep Hummer based in the US, which is an important thing to remember. Unfortunately for both parties, it looks like the almighty Chinese government is attempting to block the deal under the pretense of an “environmental objection”. The word coming out of China is that the government parasites are blocking the deal because “Hummer is at odds with China’s attempts to decrease pollution” and because “Tengzhong lacks the expertise to produce cars”. Now, why do they care if the company pollutes if it’ll still be based in the US? You can be certain the official reason is not the real reason and that there are some political machinations going on underneath this weirdo business deal.

It’s a scary world we’re living in when politicians dictate financial deals that should be made on the free market, where the people would decide the merits of the business, instead of a few parasitic politicians looking for the most profitable course of action for themselves and their government. Anyway.

6. Saab: SOLD

Another apparent no-brainier and an even more irrelevant brand than Hummer from GM’s point of view. Saab was GM’s single worst selling brand, accounting for less than 1% of all the company’s sales. They were one of the first on GM’s get-gone list. Saab is, however, one of those “big in Europe” brands, and the company has had some of the most intense interest from outside investors.

Twenty-seven different parties were reportedly interested in buying the company, including BMW, Renault, Hyundai, Renco Group, Tata Motors, Koenigsegg, Geely Automotive, Fiat, Merbanco (a group of Wyoming-based private investors), and Magna International (the same company that bought Opel and Vauxhall). It looks like they’re the belle of the ball.

The future of Saab was up in the air for a while, but as of June 16th, 2009, it looks like supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg will be acquiring it, with the help of some Norwegian investors. Interesting, to say the least… I mean, why would a small supercar manufacturer want Saab? (Leave your speculation in the comment section.)

7. GMC: KEPT

Given that GMC is GM’s second best seller, this one may have been a hasty addition to my original list. However, hindsight is always 20/20, and even GM considered getting rid of the GMC brand for while. As of April 16 of this year, there were rumors that GM was going to dump the brand along with Pontiac and even Buick. So far, these have turned out to be nothing but rumors, and GMC still has a place in the GM lineup. It stands to reason that if they were going to drop this brand, they would have gone public with that information by now. So it seems like GMC is in the clear.

8. Mercury: KEPT

Moving on to Ford: This one is a goddamn mind-boggler. Mercury is probably the least valuable, most redundantly pointless brand on this list… and yet they survive. How?

Instead of Mercury just continuing to be a bizzaro version of the Ford lineup, Ford’s new plan is to phase out the larger Mercury models in favor of Lincoln ones. The Milan will supposedly be the largest Mercury in the new scheme. The brand will then focus on being almost like the Lincoln of small cars, offering “upscale” versions of the smaller Ford models that don’t fit into the Lincoln lineup. Sort of like a buffer between Ford and Lincoln, keeping the Lincoln brand from moving downmarket. It actually sounds like a valid business plan and might turn Mercury into a useful marque. Good luck with that, Ford.

9. Volvo: ???

Ford has been toying with the idea of selling Volvo for a long time now. Just recently, a Chinese newspaper reported that China based Geely Automotive has signed a letter of intent to purchase Volvo from Ford. Both Ford and Volvo denied it, and that particular newspaper was the only source, meaning it’s highly unlikely. Still, we know Ford’s been looking, and if anyone has the money, the Chinese automakers do.

So out of our original list of 9 proposed brands, five are gone from Detroit’s grasp, three are saved, and one is a possible either way. Fairly accurate, I’d say. GM also sold Saturn to Penske Automotive Group and decided to focus on just four brands: Chevy, Buick, Cadilliac, and GMC. Ford is still considering it’s options. By the end of 2010, when all these decisions are finalized, we’ll hopefully see a leaner and more productive Detroit.